Hello from a newbie who wants to get into horology, etc.

[wnlewis]

wnlewis here. I've long had a fascination with clocks, watches, and anything that takes small precise parts. Primarily I am interested in railroad pocket watches and wrist watches. I have a stainless steel Hamilton 992-B that I need to get back into running condition. I also have my father's Bulova Accutron. It needs a good cleaning, and the special battery adjuster that adapts a modern battery to the old watch. I have a Branson ultrasonic cleaner that can help with the cleaning. Now to be very careful and patient. Slow and one step at a time.

My other great desire is to build a grandfather clock, including the mechanism. I have a Unimat SL lathe and intend to get the watch maker's spindle and other accessories for it to help with that project.

I cut down a large black walnut tree several years ago and had the trunk slabbed. It is ready now to be cut down into good furniture and instrument grade lumber fit to make such a clock.

Right now, I'm trying to ferret out a small screw from the back of a Garmin Forerunner 25 that I lost, and need to replace. So the challenge is to find a thread checker, measure an existing screw, find a suitable replacement, and turn it down to the proper length - if needed. Not exactly a mechanical watch, but a good start on getting into hobby; learn the basics, things like screws, etc.

Hope to hear about other people's projects. Thanks and best wishes.

[RichardHarris123]

Hello and welcome from Leeds, England. 

[coreymsnow]

Welcome!

[watchweasol]

Hello and welcome to the forum.      Enjoy

[Nucejoe]

Hello and welcome to the WRT forum.

 

[ChrisInOz]

On 12/13/2024 at 3:51 AM, wnlewis said:

I have a stainless steel Hamilton 992-B that I need to get back into running condition.

Greetings from Australia and welcome.  I'm another newbie who is just starting out with watch repair.

I also have a Hamilton 992 that needs a little work.  I'm not sufficiently confident to attempt it yet,  but I am building my skills by working on other movements.

One more thing that we have in common is that I began a clock making project a while back.   In my case it is a skeleton clock.   I have a 10x22 Chinese lathe which I have set up for gear cutting by fitting a rotary table to the back of the mandrel to act as a dividing head.  With pressure of work and other things,  I did very little with it for several years,  but I am retired now,  and hope to be getting on with it soon.

I look forward to hearing about your progress on watches and on the long case clock too.  

[mbwatch]

Looking forward to seeing that sweet Hamilton 992B take shape as your skills develop.

[oldhippy]

Thank you for your introduction and welcome to this friendly forum.

We all look forward to your contributions and continued involvement. 

If there is anything we can help you with don’t be afraid to ask. Nice clear photos can help a lot.