Jump to content

Left-Handed Watchmakers Not Allowed?


Recommended Posts

Sometimes you just don't know which side. One day, I tried to learn playing golf. First thing you get is a set right-handed clubs, and the instructor teaches you how to swing right-handed etc. Not knowing better, you try to adapt and learn. Initially you don't hit the ball anyway, so it doesn't matter :). Then I became aware of the existence of left-handed clubs.

The instructor found some dusty left-handed clubs, a bit too short for me. I tried those and to the annoyment of the instructor, I just couldn't make up my mind.  Long story short, I ended up with right-handed, probably due to availability and both sides play were equally poor :)

Edited by Endeavor
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I am sure I have seen gravers for left hand use i.e. the angle of cut is different. If you find a lathe that can be run in inverse you could turn the lathe around so the tailstock is facing on the left. However if it has a cross slide then you are snookered. I am sure there are many operators that are left handed and have just adapted. My son is left handed and has used my lathe with no issues.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

In the work-houses back in the day, watchmakers had to sit at benches very close to each other..one lefty will be forever banging elbows with his partner o. The left!

I'm just joking ! I'm half Chinese and at a Chinese dinner its impossible to eat with chopsticks if you're seated next to a lefty...it gets quite cosy at some dinners!

Anil

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

I am also left handed,

 

Chainstay,  "the lefty often has a lot more precision and dexterity (oddly enough given the meaning of "dexter"...) than average"

 

 

 

Unfortunately I must be the except to the rule

:D i am also a lefty. and i also heard that saying.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm left handed but do a lot of things with my right hand.  My right eye is my dominant eye so I hold my pistol and shoot with my right hand.  Most of the type I use my eye loupe with my right eye though, again, I find I can almost use it as effectively with my left.  I also use my right hand for lathe work.  I find that for almost every thing, except writing and tying my shoes, I'm basically ambidextrous.  My watch instructor encourages us to be facile with both hands. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.



  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Topics

  • Posts

    • That's the right technique Mal 👍 If you are ok with a loupe ( which I'm not ) then pick up the dial in your left hand and make a tripod holder out of 3 fingers and then exactly how Mal and me described with your right hand, press and flick out the stem at the same time. You need three fingers to do this, i use my ring ring finger , sounds like mal uses his little finger, just whatever you feel comfortable with. The key point and dangerous side to this is the tweezers or driver slipping off the release screw. Stablise your left arm by resting your elbow on your bench, so that you can hold the movement horizontally flat, use a x5 loupe to view  and good light so you can see well and have a good tight fitting screwdriver to push the release down. Or as suggested a pusher mounted solid upside-down somewhere then all you need to do is push your movement up to it. I'll rig something up in a bit to show you what i mean. Something like this, but tbh its better to just learn to do with your fingers.
    • Thanks Michael, shes a real soldier, it would take a tank to knock her off her feet.  Shes surprised even me and i knew she was a tough cookie.  Good for you Michael, you keep at it. I've been reading your posts re. your watchroom they're inspiring and it doesn't matter how long it takes you to get there its about the journey. Rome wasn't built in a day, our watchcaves are our solitudes, our own little empires where we can shut ourselves away from the crap that goes on around us in the world. I look forward to seeing you progress, I have my own ideas how i like to do things. But in answer to your questions on that thread, just let your workspace evolve around you and how you work. You wont figure it out straight away but you will know when to change it and when to leave it alone. But most of all just enjoy it.
    • That can be tricky. Sometimes I hold the movement from the edges in left hand and with right hand I push the release with tweezers and simultaneously pull the stem out with right hand pinky or something. 
    • I see what you mean. I must admit I’m not entirely comfortable with that but I can’t see a better method than what you suggest. I’d like to see something like this mirror with a short spike: https://www.cousinsuk.com/product/mirror-for-observing-movements Place it on, push the spike on the post with one hand and release the stem with the other hand. Minor problem, it doesn’t exist.
    • Hope you mum keeps on mending. I was adamant that I was going to get myself going after my stroke. I was only 52. I still have a lot of life left to live. Some people give up. Some people don't let it beat them. Your mum sounds like one of the winners. 👍
×
×
  • Create New...