Stem removal

[Zedster]

I know this may be a stupid question but I've never seen anywhere where its been mentioned. I know some Seiko movements wont allow the stem to be removed unless in a certain position but does it matter on other movements, should the crown be in the winding position (push in) or pulled out in the hand setting position?

[rjenkinsgb]

I usually remove them in the setting position, on the basis that if the length sets the crown tightly against the case when pushed in, it's easier to re-fit the stem with it further out.

That's both when taking it out the case & after working on the movement, before putting it back in the case.

It may possibly be due to me starting out with mostly ebay scrap ones that were badly worn, though!

 

[Neverenoughwatches]

10 hours ago, Zedster said:

I know this may be a stupid question but I've never seen anywhere where its been mentioned. I know some Seiko movements wont allow the stem to be removed unless in a certain position but does it matter on other movements, should the crown be in the winding position (push in) or pulled out in the hand setting position?

It can vary, look at this photo . Pulling the stem into setting mode the yoke spring gets tensioned and when the setting lever screw is loosened (traditionally in this example was called the pullout piece screw for obvious reasons ) to release the stem too much the yoke under pressure against the pullout can jump underneath it and not always re-position as it has lost interaction with the pullout piece's slider and the two parts can bind up and get stuck in misalignment causing maybe an unwanted  dial off situation to re- align things. It doesn't always happen but it can do, in winding mode there is less  pressure on the two mating sliding surfaces so the problem is far less likely to happen. Again it all depends on the keyless set up, but this one is a classic for it , if you are not careful, i make a mental note of how many turns to make on the pullout screw to just release the pullout from the stem also avoids you completely disengaging the screw . I now look forward to an onslaught of abuse for calling the setting lever the pullout piece, i think it suits better in this example of releasing a stem so there ppbbbbbbbtt.

Edited June 19, 2024 by Neverenoughwatches
Added words for verbal damage limitation, i cant be arsed to argue with anyone today 🙂

[Zedster]

Thanks for the replys. The issue I'm having is I don't have the setting lever screw type but a push type that needs depressing from the other side and with the hands fitted, after adjustment for date and time, it's a real pig to do, you almost need an extra pair of hands as I can't lay the movement down.  The pin is really hard to depress and I ended up breaking the winding stem so had to purchase a new item.  However, I had a thought of how I can most probably do it and if it works I'll post a picture 

[Neverenoughwatches]

44 minutes ago, Zedster said:

Thanks for the replys. The issue I'm having is I don't have the setting lever screw type but a push type that needs depressing from the other side and with the hands fitted, after adjustment for date and time, it's a real pig to do, you almost need an extra pair of hands as I can't lay the movement down.  The pin is really hard to depress and I ended up breaking the winding stem so had to purchase a new item.  However, I had a thought of how I can most probably do it and if it works I'll post a picture 

We have discussed this a couple of times recently,  you need to be a right hand finger contortionist. It is possible to hold the dial in your left hand and press the button with a needle in your right hand while flicking out the crown with your right ring finger. Either that or a cup movement holder or a holder that just grips the edges of the dial not interfering with the hands.

[RichardHarris123]

A thimble with the pusher attached? 

[Neverenoughwatches]

Some of these setting levers and variations of them are a push button release, the lever can have a tensioned bridge spring connecting either directly or indirectly over or to it. Kasper movements have them , the same situation of keyless binding up can occur with those as well.

11 minutes ago, RichardHarris123 said:

A thimble with the pusher attached? 

I like it rich, you'll be a watchmaker yet . Index finger shown can press the button and the thumb can flick out the crown.  I was gonna show you the middle finger but thats just rude considering you had a good idea

[Zedster]

Thanks guys. I did originally think of laying the movement on a drawing pin and pressing the face down but I then thought of a better solution, that is if you have a 3D printer. There is another thread on here where a guy (Thank you) has designed a modular 3D movement holder so I thought just print out the insert and make the inner diameter the same size as the dial. I used some flexible TPA filament and it worked like a dream  I can lay the movement face down and press the pin, with no problem 

Sorry I'm trying to upload some photos but for some reason now my photos are corrupt 

 

 

Edited June 19, 2024 by Zedster