Steel for watch hands.

[Angrybear]

Hi All,

I wasn't sure exactly where to post this, so apologies if it is in the wrong place.

What steel is recommended for making hands out of, and where can I buy some in small quantities in the UK?

I know carbon steel is used but I'm looking for the specific grade, eg CS95, EN8 etc. and a supplier.

I currently use CS95 spring steel because it's the only thing I could find that was available in the size and small quantities I need, and that also sort of met requirements. The problem I have is that it is destroying my end mills. I can only really cut one 'perfect' hand before the end mill is worn out to a point that adversely affects finish. At £10 a pop per end mill its unsustainable.

many thanks in advance for any help.

[tomh207]

I can’t help with a specific grade but stumbled across this today and thought it might be worth a punt to try

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005994584644.html?ug_edm_item_id=1005005994584644&pdp_npi=4%40dis!GBP!￡1.22!￡0.85!!!!!%402140f4d017283302736173561d147a!12000038469454270!edm!!!&edm_click_module=item_detail&tracelog=rowan&rowan_id1=aeug_edm_56672_1_en_US_2024-10-07&rowan_msg_id=6394biz_search_product:0:0_576286707$dfd069e6f66d42daa02b1115d00b9169&ck=in_edm_other

 

Tom

[Neverenoughwatches]

On 9/30/2024 at 8:19 PM, Angrybear said:

Hi All,

I wasn't sure exactly where to post this, so apologies if it is in the wrong place.

What steel is recommended for making hands out of, and where can I buy some in small quantities in the UK?

I know carbon steel is used but I'm looking for the specific grade, eg CS95, EN8 etc. and a supplier.

I currently use CS95 spring steel because it's the only thing I could find that was available in the size and small quantities I need, and that also sort of met requirements. The problem I have is that it is destroying my end mills. I can only really cut one 'perfect' hand before the end mill is worn out to a point that adversely affects finish. At £10 a pop per end mill its unsustainable.

many thanks in advance for any help.

Hi Angrybear.....this cs steel you're buying....is it annealed ?

I've used this seller for buying steel for making setting levers and springs.... this stuff is .75 % carbon content and un-hardened . Failing that what about using nickle.......thin nickle anode strips for plating. 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/315076706964?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=rKQY65mDQse&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=tBiLZaCfRb2&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY