Jump to content

New to watch repair, but loving it.

buzz12

By buzz12
in Introduce Yourself Here

 Share

Recommended Posts

buzz12 Watch Enthusiast

buzz12

Posted
Posted

Hi all, I am a complete novice to watch or clock repairing. After a lot of research and having recently inherited the contents of my late father’s clock/watch repair workshop, I find myself intrigued by what I now have at my disposal and inspired by the many beautiful clocks and watches I have also acquired, I have decided to have a go at what appears to be a most challenging but rewarding hobby (if I can get my head around it!).  Since there appears to be plenty of unfinished projects for me to have a go at I hope you don’t mind me posting some silly questions from time to time, as I start my exciting adventure!  

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites
jeffc83 WRT Addict

jeffc83

Posted
Posted

I'm glad to see you here, welcome!  I'd rather (attempt) to answer 1000's of questions versus talk to someone that is not interested at all.  First, have patience and if you have plenty of it on hand, get MORE;)  My first book was "Watch repair for beginners" by Harold C. Kelly.  I have also attached a few PDF's that will help you get started:)

https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=B58314D4749ACA41!27174&authkey=!AEjGWswUL_jMBEU&ithint=file%2cpdf

https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=B58314D4749ACA41!27169&authkey=!AGDuR4_Nv6jC2ms&ithint=file%2cpdf

https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=B58314D4749ACA41!27175&authkey=!AMsjpUZIfy4KQUk&ithint=file%2cpdf

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites
buzz12 Watch Enthusiast

buzz12

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Thank you for the welcome guys. Firstly, thank you for the informative Pdf's, looking forward to reading those in more depth. Secondly, you would not be inspired by my present makeshift workshop, Oldhippy.  At the moment I have the tools and the interest, but no formal workshop as yet, so pictures will follow when I get sorted.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Peixian Watch Enthusiast

Peixian

Posted
Posted
10 hours ago, buzz12 said:

Hi all, I am a complete novice to watch or clock repairing. After a lot of research and having recently inherited the contents of my late father’s clock/watch repair workshop, I find myself intrigued by what I now have at my disposal and inspired by the many beautiful clocks and watches I have also acquired, I have decided to have a go at what appears to be a most challenging but rewarding hobby (if I can get my head around it!).  Since there appears to be plenty of unfinished projects for me to have a go at I hope you don’t mind me posting some silly questions from time to time, as I start my exciting adventure!  

Nice post~

the same to you, I also be strange to watch repairing

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
jeffc83 WRT Addict

jeffc83

Posted
Posted

@buzz12 Pleasure!  Oh and please don't say that about your setup, lol.  I am still using a makeshift workshop myself due to my current living situation. (we are out of rooms to use for my hobby so I use the breakfast area AND formal dining room table to work, lol)  I would be embarrassed to take pics of my work areas because it is all spread out but to me, it is extremely organized and I have plenty of space;)  I'm still looking for a professional bench to put in one of the rooms but see they are in the 800-1000 range for a good one so I've been holding off for now.

Feel free to ask questions, I've learned a lot here and Mark's videos are a MUST WATCH, especially if you have popcorn in the house;)

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
stroppy WRT Addict

stroppy

Posted
Posted (edited)

Buzz.... You have landed on your feet coming to this forum.  It is populated by the nicest people you will ever meet on the net.  I know next to nothing about repairing watches but I've never been belittled for my lack of knowledge, I've ALWAYS been encouraged to try things out by members here PLUS one of the members here helped me solve a many decades-old mystery relating to one of my watches.  Ask for help here and if it's possible you'll get it.  Something quite rare in the net world of forums.

It must be very hard for you to walk into your dad's old workshop.  I know that when I go into my dad's old garage where he tinkered with various tools over the years there are still times when I get a little bit teary.  What made me feel less pain in this regard is something a good friend of mine told me.

"Just remember that your dad is really not gone.  He's here still in every cell of your body, in the very blood that courses through your veins and arteries."  

Armed with that concept all I feel now is enormous pride in what my dad was able to achieve and all the wonderful things he accumulated over the years.  I feel him by my side every time I step into that garage.

Edited by stroppy
  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites
buzz12 Watch Enthusiast

buzz12

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Good to hear I'm not the only one winging it with a makeshift setup! You are right Stroppy, it has not been easy. My biggest regret is that I never shared in his vast knowledge of clocks and watches but now I have decided to have a go, it some how makes it a little easier. When I get sorted, I will enjoy sharing with you all, some of the lovely clocks that he restored.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Vich Distinguished Member

Vich

Posted
Posted

Hello Buzz and Welcome from me as well,

Might be worth having a check on the other recently joined members and the advice/tips already given to them.

My best advice is take a pic before and after you remove anything from a movement and pick out old less valuable bog standard working movements to strip clean and put back together first to get an understanding of the relationship between the many parts.

You will get help here anyway.

Cheers,

Vic

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
buzz12 Watch Enthusiast

buzz12

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Thanks for the welcome guys and the tips. I think the taking pictures could be the way to go!

Sadly, project 1 didn't go quite to plan. I got it all to bits and cleaned and I still had the right number of bits, but the re-assemble didn't go well. I thought I'd got everything in order - but NOPE! I remember putting the train cap (or is that bridge?) on three times because I'd missed something. On the fourth attempt... well... I just lost the will to live - I could not get it to settle - and then PING! Anyone have a good source for Pingless screws? Mark must have plenty - There must be such a thing - I've never seen any of his screws take off into orbit!

Plan of action: find more patience, take pictures, learn more about why things go where they do. I think the last point is the key!!

Anyway, gone reading... in the hope that project 2 will fair a little better!

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Cad101 Super WRT Addict

Cad101

Posted
Posted (edited)

I cant tell you how many things I have launched never to be seen again . But keep a calm head and dress your tweezers (probably the greatest piece of knowledge ever bestowed upon me by my granddad all those years ago apart from never put your finger in a hole its not supposed to go in or is too small to get back out ) and the modern phone ipad or any tablet is a wonderful thing for remembering where those little bits go.

Mick

Edited by Cad101
  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites
jeffc83 WRT Addict

jeffc83

Posted
Posted

@buzz12  I made the same mistake many of times and have lost countless parts...I usually step on them weeks later too, which is quite painful depending on the part!  Controlling flying parts takes practice and even then, they WILL fly into oblivion at times anyway. (some seem to control it better than others)  Glad you are sticking with it my friend!!!  If it makes you feel better, I failed over the weekend too....project was put aside for another time!

  • Like 1
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.

×
 Share
Go to topic listing


  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • watchweasol
      Chronograph Pusher Rod for EB8371-67 Snapped and Stuck in Button. Can't Unscrew.

      By watchweasol · Posted

      Hi. Yes I get it , the slot in the end I’d to allow you to screw the button on whilst holding the pusher shaft. To remove the pusher tube you will need a tool such as the one shown by Richard. I think Ali Express the Chinese Amazon has replicas of the Horotec system for a lot less money, how effective they are not having had to use one. But as you said the way to go is complete removal and replacement, bodging it up will  lead to a repeat failure
    • JohnR725
      Notifications

      By JohnR725 · Posted

      It does look like it seems to be working again I'm getting emails.
    • JohnR725
      30T2 adjustment of timing washers

      By JohnR725 · Posted

      One of the things that I've been bothered with lately is timekeeping? For instance a 90-year-old pocket watch what so to timekeeping was it supposed to keep? They publish railroad timekeeping but I don't know how well normal non-railroad watches were supposed to keep time. The reason why the question comes up for me is I spend a lot of time at work adjusting watches to keep really really good time  because I have to please my boss where as when the watch was made I have to wonder what kind timekeeping would've been acceptable. After all they typically didn't have timing machines 100 years ago and they were timing and six positions certainly not for the non-railroad grade watch. On the other hand I do get paid by the hour so maybe I shouldn't be concerned of how much time I Spend trying to make everything keep chronometer timekeeping almost. Citing a Delta of 40 seconds for a 90-year-old watch is quite outstanding.
    • JohnR725
      Is this pallet fork over-locking?

      By JohnR725 · Posted

      That's an interesting question which I don't think I've seen explained anywhere. But I think the problem will go away just about instantaneously. In other words the  coating is really thin and it should go away almost immediately. So the problem should resolve itself extremely fast.  
    • VWatchie
      Is this pallet fork over-locking?

      By VWatchie · Posted

      I experienced that different types of shellac and their ages are affected differently by IPA. Sometimes the shellac dissolves in a few seconds and sometimes several minutes are required. Nowadays I never let shellac come into contact with IPA. It's a hotly debated topic here on WRT if you search. Like John, I don't think you need to worry about the weight of the shellac, but instead that it might start rubbing against something. When I learned how to adjust pallet stones, I tried documenting my experiences in this thread. Hopefully, it can help you. I personally don't believe in the idea of abrading the epilame before oiling so I don't think you need to think or worry about it. The only time I've heard anyone mention this is Alex on the YouTube channel Watch Repair Tutorials but actually no one else. I'm not saying it's "wrong" just that I don't think it's necessary or adds anything.
×
×
  • Create New...