Custom steel rods for manipulating anti-shock springs, etc.

[VWatchie]

Inspired by the section (18:53) in the video, I’ve just made myself a pair of custom rods for manipulating anti-shock springs, etc., but in steel instead of brass. BTW, I do recommend the videos on the Macro Time Youtube channel. Excellent and entertaining!

 

To minimize the risk of scratching anything, I’ve rounded off and polished the tips. I’ve avoided Seiko and Orient watch movements for several years now due to the difficulty of handling the nearly microscopic Diashock and Diafix springs for the escape wheel and third wheel. With these rods, I’m hoping it will become a bit easier.

I’m really pleased with my work, even though I haven’t had a chance to test the rods yet. My only regret is that I ordered steel pin vices, instead of brass, as they feel unnecessarily heavy. On the other hand, they might be more stable in handling that way. We’ll see.

 

To make the rods, I used the tools and accessories you can see in the pictures. The grinding wheels for cutting and rough polishing the steel were included with the multitool kit. Sweet! 

One thing I figured out this time was that I could use the sides of the felt mopping wheels. Very practical and probably obvious to most people, but I always feel so happy and almost surprised when I manage to come up with something on my own! 

Anyway, I hope you will find this post inspirational and useful!

 

Edited February 3 by VWatchie

[VWatchie]

Here’s a small update for those who might be interested.

After using my custom-made rods a few times, I felt their diameter and tips were unnecessarily large. So, I tapered the rods and made the tips finer. They might look too sharp in the pictures, but in practice—especially when handling extremely small springs like Seiko’s Diashock and Diafix springs—they work exceptionally well. And when I removed a couple of three-pronged anti-shock springs from a Vostok movement yesterday, I was really pleased with the result.

A key detail is to highly polish the tips, which prevents them from scratching whatever you’re working on, whether it’s brass or another soft metal.

While I was at it, I also had the idea to dress a brass tweezer using the rotary tool. It turned out to be a very smooth process.

I’m really happy with my choice of rotary tool and keep discovering more and more uses for it. On top of that, I realized I could mount it directly in my adjustable vice and still angle it for the most comfortable working position possible. That is, no real need for the Flexishaft seen in my other post.

[watchweasol]

Hi V.Watchie. Another smart idea well produced. I used to use the machine sewing needles bent at about 30 degrees , now having to give up watches because of cataracts but may get back to it.  Well done nd thanks for the post.

[VWatchie]

Thanks for your kind words @watchweasol! 

Sorry to hear about your cataracts. I think/hope there is a cure (operation?) so that you can get back to the bench! Your contributions to the forum are much appreciated!

[RichardHarris123]

I have the same vice, very handy. 

[SwissSeiko]

I made a mount for my rotary tool so it can be used in my lathe

[Neverenoughwatches]

Tool making ....sweet H  i have a Proxon rotary also, but went for the domestic UK voltage . The drill press is also great, not sure if it fits the 12 volt drill...it should do.   Been watching Leo for a year or more now...I like him..good humor as well. 

37 minutes ago, SwissSeiko said:

I made a mount for my rotary tool so it can be used in my lathe

Thats one of my next lathe purchases,  a vertical slide, not easy choosing  something off the bay though. 

[SwissSeiko]

24 minutes ago, Neverenoughwatches said:

Thats one of my next lathe purchases,  a vertical slide, not easy choosing  something off the bay though. 

Mine is from Taig, I bought it with the lathe I purchased from them, Fairly cheap too

[Neverenoughwatches]

Whats the adjustment like ? , solid , no slop ?

[SwissSeiko]

2 hours ago, Neverenoughwatches said:

Whats the adjustment like ? , solid , no slop ?

The entire lathe is very precise. Adjustable gibs to take up slack. There is a bit of backlash in the slide, but since im not using a DRO, its easy to get used to.

[Simeon]

I made some similar probes out of 3mm brass rod.  Chucked short sections in an electric drill and did rough shaping against a file.  Followed by an oil stone and them progressively finer emory cloth.  Very useful tool for shock springs.