Copying A Keyless Works Cover

[mwilkes]

I need to make a keyless work cover/setting lever detent for an ancient Rolex. I have the original from another watch. What's the best way to copy it? I've considered gluing the original to some steel stock and cutting around it, but I risk damaging the original if I do that....suggestions on a postcard please!

(I know I could buy one, but that wouldn't be character-building)

[frenchie]

Paper/cardboard cutout ?

[dadistic]

Yeah, template. Photocopy original, glue copy to stock. Assuming it's flat.

[StuartBaker104]

I would mark up the surface of the blank with engineer's blue, clamp the two together and mark around the old one with a fine scriber.

S

[Geo]

I'm with you on this Stuart, but I think you meant to say marking blue not engineers blue, they're different things. Engineers blue is for checking out high and low spots on surfaces.

[JimInOz]

I would mark up the surface of the blank with engineer's blue, clamp the two together and mark around the old one with a fine scriber.

S

 

Ditto, but if you don't have Prussian Blue (either marking solution or engineer's blue) you can use a permanent felt pen or Xylelne marker.

Make sure your scriber or needle is nice and sharp to get a good outline.

[JimInOz]

PS: marking or layout blue is almost the same as engineer's blue but for the carrier solution. The marker has a fast drying solution while the engineer uses an oil based carrier and will not dry and will transfer to mating surfaces.

[StuartBaker104]

I'm with you on this Stuart, but I think you meant to say marking blue not engineers blue, they're different things. Engineers blue is for checking out high and low spots on surfaces.

Yes Geo... Absolutely right, lazily non-specific of me - I was taught to make marking blue by mixing engineer's blue with meths.

I've tried using xylene markers and they don't have quite the same effect imho, but almost as good

S

[oldhippy]

I was taught to make marking blue by mixing engineer's blue with meths. That's how I was taught. I did it like that for all the parts I made for clocks and watches.s.

[mwilkes]

Interesting- I've got a tin of engineers' blue that I never use - will try the meths trick!

[Geo]

Marking blue uses shellac as a carrier for gentian violet, that's why maths is used as a thinner.

[anilv]

Whatever you use to mark the outline, make the holes and the index (the bumps that give the click) first.

Only then work on the outline. Otherwise you may find you have perfectly shaped piece but unusable due to the holes not being in the right places.

HTH

Anil

[Mechmovt]

Anyone know where to source metal for keyless work and pivots/staffs. I'm in Australia so any online store would help.

Thank you!

[Geo]

Anyone know where to source metal for keyless work and pivots/staffs. I'm in Australia so any online store would help.

Thank you!

Here you are.

Pivot steel.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/11-Assorted-Tempered-Blue-Steel-Wire-Pivots-clock-repair-pivot-pinions-staffs-/191432908456?hash=item2c924a5ea8:g:D-gAAOSwg3FUfJie

Gauge plate. They supply it in various thicknesses.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1mm-Ground-Flat-Stock-01-Tool-Steel-Gauge-Plate-Various-Widths-lengths-/281897555767?var=&hash=item41a2675737:m:mz4lMQGl3D1rzeunqJ9gsKw

[Mechmovt]

Geo, thank you very much! I had tried all over eBay but had no luck. I really appreciate this. 

[mwilkes]

@anil yep - I ended up drilling holes first, then pinning the piece I needed to copy on to the blank using wire of the correct thickness for the holes. Every other way was prone to slippage - even superglue!

Gluing a paper template wasn't a go-er - the pieces were too small

[anilv]

For a source of flat steel, I've seen hacksaw blades being used to good effect...used ones are usually plentiful around a shop.

 

I've been tempted to try this out .. the added thickness of a sawblade is an asset as you can get the shape correct and thin it down as the final step. Better than trying to shape a thin plate.

 

Anil

Edited January 26, 2016 by anilv

[Marc]

I've often wondered if old clock main springs could be a suitable source of material, suitably annealed for working and then hardened and tempered before finishing.

[Geo]

I've often wondered if old clock main springs could be a suitable source of material, suitably annealed for working and then hardened and tempered before finishing.

This works Marc, make sure it's an old fashioned blue one though.

[mwilkes]

I used an old bandsaw blade - lovely steel!

[Rafal]

check youtube for movies by clickspring - hes doing parts for big clock but rules are the same, very nice videos

[mwilkes]

The fruits of my labour...

 

The keyless cover for a (clapped-out) rolex was made from a bit of mainspring:

 

 

The setting lever spring for a 40's movado was made from a hacksaw blade:

 

 

A pleasant evening's work.

[Geo]

The fruits of my labour... A pleasant evening's work.

A very tidy piece of work, I like it a lot!

[stroppy]

Wow!  How did you the steel that fine?

 

As regards the engineering blue.  I remember in metalcraft class (back in the stone age when I was a kid) the teacher used good old carbon paper or a stamp ink pad to mark parts for copying.

Edited January 26, 2016 by stroppy