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Horia lever press jewelling tool

Bigjay
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Bigjay Member

Bigjay

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Hi all, please could some tell me the difference between uses for a lever press and non lever press horia jeweling tools?

Can anyone also tell me if the tool in the photo is missing something on the table?? It doesn’t look the same as modern ones available from Cousins etc.

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Edited by Bigjay
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nickelsilver Distinguished Member

nickelsilver

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Posted

There were literally tons of these made, with spindles that took 3mm pushers as well as 4mm. Many were modified in factory settings for specific tasks.

 

The difference between screw type and lever type is really a matter of preference. I have many examples of both, but for more than a couple of decades only use the lever type. Just today one of my workshop mate's employees asked me for a screw type and I gave it to him but realized it needed a good servicing as the oil in the threads had gummed up.

 

As made, they both come with either 3 or 4mm spindles, 3mm being most common, with a 4mm hole in the base for stumps which matches most other makers as well as staking tools.

 

Your image has extra holes that probably correspond to a purpose-made jig or holder. The central hole looks to have a stump, and is likely 4mm, but could be anything.

 

A plus of the lever type is the spindle comes out and you can use standard (Seitz, Favorite, Chatons S.A.) holders for reamers and drills in it.

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Bigjay Member

Bigjay

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  On 1/30/2025 at 7:02 PM, nickelsilver said:

There were literally tons of these made, with spindles that took 3mm pushers as well as 4mm. Many were modified in factory settings for specific tasks.

 

The difference between screw type and lever type is really a matter of preference. I have many examples of both, but for more than a couple of decades only use the lever type. Just today one of my workshop mate's employees asked me for a screw type and I gave it to him but realized it needed a good servicing as the oil in the threads had gummed up.

 

As made, they both come with either 3 or 4mm spindles, 3mm being most common, with a 4mm hole in the base for stumps which matches most other makers as well as staking tools.

 

Your image has extra holes that probably correspond to a purpose-made jig or holder. The central hole looks to have a stump, and is likely 4mm, but could be anything.

 

A plus of the lever type is the spindle comes out and you can use standard (Seitz, Favorite, Chatons S.A.) holders for reamers and drills in it.

Expand  

That’s great! Thank you for the comprehensive reply.  I’ve just bagged it for £45 on the bay of E so hoping it is a genuine Horia as the advert described it.  

nickelsilver Distinguished Member

nickelsilver

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  On 1/30/2025 at 8:51 PM, Bigjay said:

That’s great! Thank you for the comprehensive reply.  I’ve just bagged it for £45 on the bay of E so hoping it is a genuine Horia as the advert described it.  

Expand  

It looks Horia!

If it's been modified beyond those holes is to be seen. My gut says it's A-ok.

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Bigjay Member

Bigjay

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So, i’ve bought it and cannot work out what anvils and pushers I need to get for this.  The stump on the table is fixed and as I’ve bought it blindly (not really knowing how to use it but seemed like absolute bargain compared to buying new from Cousins and it is marked Horia on the lever!) I may be have cocked up a bit!! Any help would be appreciated! 

Edited by Bigjay
AndyGSi Distinguished Member

AndyGSi

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Posted (edited)

Looks to me like it's a crystal press.

Edit

Just done a quick search and it does look like a jewel press.

Are you sure the stump is fixed? Can you post a closeup photo.

Edited by AndyGSi
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Bigjay Member

Bigjay

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Well, after a bit more deduction (Sherlock Holmes style) it would appear that the stump was a stuck anvil….I think?  Still dont know what the three extra holes are for?  

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Bigjay Member

Bigjay

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  On 2/6/2025 at 7:19 PM, AndyGSi said:

Someone may have modified the base to take a movement holder or something like.

Does it take the 3mm or 4mm spindles?

Expand  

I think it takes 4mm spindles as I measured the shaft of the removed stump as 3.96mm

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