Case needed a lapping machine....So I improvised - Results are amateur but promising

[thor447]

I decided to do a little improvisation last night. I had a case where the sides were extremely worn, dented, etc. The case lines were nearly worn completely down.

I've wanted a lapping machine for some time but those are far too expensive for my humble budget. I improvised by hooking up one of my sanders to a voltage regulator to bring the speed down as much as I could. I put some 1000 grit paper on the disc and started to gently work the side of the case. I'm quite surprised at what I was able to accomplish with these rag-tag tools and bit of creativity. I'm limited by the table because it can only adjust to 45 degrees, so there are some angles on that case I won't be able to reach properly. While looking up pictures on the internet of other examples of this case it looks like there was not a sharp line between the side wall and the lugs, so I just tried to bring back a gentle curve between those to sides. Not too bad for my first attempt! I'm going to keep moving forward and go up to 2500 grit and see what I can get out of this before moving on to the polishing wheel.

 

Edited November 28, 2023 by thor447

[thor447]

I think the case turned out pretty nice in the end.  Just thought I'd share a photograph:

 

[watchweasol]

Hi A tidy job. Improvisation sometimes produces remarkable out comes.   Nice one

[thor447]

1 hour ago, watchweasol said:

Hi A tidy job. Improvisation sometimes produces remarkable out comes.   Nice one

Thanks.  I need to work on my photography, clearly!  The rebuild video came out pretty well, but I still struggle with getting a good still shot.  It's a skill that I have yet to learn.  I mainly rely on luck, which isn't reliable at all, haha!

[Neverenoughwatches]

5 hours ago, thor447 said:

I think the case turned out pretty nice in the end.  Just thought I'd share a photograph:

 

Look great, did you re-brush the top edge or is that how it was ?

[thor447]

16 minutes ago, Neverenoughwatches said:

Look great, did you re-brush the top edge or is that how it was ?

I re-brushed it.  Originally it had vertical brushing, but it was all but gone by the time I got the watch. The light reflecting off the top makes it difficult to see the brushing, but it actually looks pretty good in normal light.  As I stated earlier, I'm not a photographer by trade, haha!

I tinker with watches and occasionally upload a video to YouTube, including one for this watch.  I'm not here to promote my channel, as I've been a member here long before I began uploading content (started doing it at the request of a friend).  YouTube is just a hobby, and this is a place I can come to ask for advice, look at other's projects, and is a wealth of knowledge (on top of Mark's courses which I thoroughly enjoyed).  I did not want to sour that by trying to promote a YouTube channel here.  If you'd like I can send you a message with a link to the video.  I recorded the entire process of using the disc sander and brushing the case.  It isn't perfect by any means, but I think it turned out pretty well with the tools I had on hand.

Edited December 10, 2023 by thor447

[tomh207]

A bit nerve wrecking for sure but it was interesting to watch, good job.

for anyone interested here’s the video link

 

 

 

Tom

[Tippex]

Apologies for digging up an old post but I am thinking about doing the same. Can I ask the OP what medium he used on the wheel. Was it a sanding disc and polish and if so what grades. Thanks.

[thor447]

5 hours ago, Tippex said:

Apologies for digging up an old post but I am thinking about doing the same. Can I ask the OP what medium he used on the wheel. Was it a sanding disc and polish and if so what grades. Thanks.

Since I couldn't slow the machine down enough for my liking, I started off slowly with a higher grit. 

I began (very lightly) with 1000 grit paper:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DTJBND1/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

Finished with 3000 grit:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DTFSMT1/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

Afterwards I went on to polish with traditional methods using felt & cotton wheels, with different grades of Dialux.

Hope this helps.

[Tippex]

Thank you very much for the info. I have ordered one of these:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/234999222269

 

It claims to be speed adjustable though by how much I don't yet know. I may have to try a voltage regulator like you did. It may just be cheap rubbish and no good for the intended purpose but on the other hand it might work! We shall see.

Thanks again.

[thor447]

4 hours ago, Tippex said:

Thank you very much for the info. I have ordered one of these:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/234999222269

 

It claims to be speed adjustable though by how much I don't yet know. I may have to try a voltage regulator like you did. It may just be cheap rubbish and no good for the intended purpose but on the other hand it might work! We shall see.

Thanks again.

Looking forward to hearing how it goes.

[Tippex]

It'll either be great or Ill burn the house down.:)

[Neverenoughwatches]

7 hours ago, Tippex said:

Thank you very much for the info. I have ordered one of these:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/234999222269

 

It claims to be speed adjustable though by how much I don't yet know. I may have to try a voltage regulator like you did. It may just be cheap rubbish and no good for the intended purpose but on the other hand it might work! We shall see.

Thanks again.

I was thinking of buying the same one 6 months ago but still haven't gotten around to it. I have the same Parkside motor in the bench grinder,  the speed is very adjustable but has inconsistent torque through speed ranges. Not recommended to use an additional voltage regulator considering it already had one installed. Hope this helps.

1 hour ago, Tippex said:

It'll either be great or Ill burn the house down.:)

The parkside gear is ok, apparently German made, I'm sure i have seen Arnie endorse advertising them on tv . I have a few tools for budget price they're good value for money.

[Tippex]

17 hours ago, Neverenoughwatches said:

I was thinking of buying the same one 6 months ago but still haven't gotten around to it. I have the same Parkside motor in the bench grinder,  the speed is very adjustable but has inconsistent torque through speed ranges. Not recommended to use an additional voltage regulator considering it already had one installed. Hope this helps.

The parkside gear is ok, apparently German made, I'm sure i have seen Arnie endorse advertising them on tv . I have a few tools for budget price they're good value for money.

Thanks for the useful info. "I'll be back" when I've tried it.