Greetings from Canada

[deeclee]

Hello!

I have been reading on this forum for some time and already hace asked a few questions here and there but I forgot to introduce myself properly.

Just like other members, I found this community after viewing Mark's videos online. I was amazed by his knowledge and the ability to pass on the information in a way I could understand.

I am in no way a watchmaker/repairer and I am attracted by horology as a hobby so I'll be posting more questions then answers ;). However I did start watch collecting a few years ago and am always trying to better understand how a timepiece works. My goals are to be able to service my own watches/clocks and also to try and repair vintage pieces that have been abandoned.

In order to to this, I acquired a few tools and am setting up a workspace in the basement (old teacher's desk). I am posting a picture of my bench as it is right now. I will be adding this week a bench vise and a lamp for better lighting as there is no window around. On the bright side, the lady is supportive and it is very quiet in my surroundings.

Thanks in advance to each and everyone of you.

 

[oldhippy]

Hello and welcome to this friendly forum. Plenty of leg room under your desk so that will help. Make sure your seat is right for your posture. Get a good lamp and make sure it doesn't give of reflection and its suitable to your eyes. Looking forward to your input and I expect a few more pictures.

[vinn3]

welcome to the forum.  i sugest a combination of neon and incandesent lamps.  cheers  vinn

[deeclee]

Thanks Vinn and oldhippy for the tips. I will make sure to create the best possible environment. Can't wait to start taring apart a few watches.

[Brian3]

Welcome deeclee, enjoy this forum and I look forward to reading how you get on in the watch world, I like your enthusiasm, you sound a little like myself, I service and repair watches all day at work then come home and work on them at night and weekends, I find I'm constantly thinking of movements and different mechanical scenarios, sounds crazy but that's what happens.

As oldhippy suggested, watch the height of that desk, it will kill your back if it's not correct, if needed even put blocks under the legs and get it lifted up a touch. Feel free to ask questions here, lots of knowledge that you should take advantage of, I'd happily answer anything that I can.

Enjoy and welcome,

Brian

[deeclee]

Thanks Brian. That's very nice of you.

I will take time off work at the end of next month and I intend on firing away on my first watch repair project. I will definitely keep posting as I make my way into horology.

Meanwhile I'll keep on reading and acquiring a little knowledge from you guys.

Cheers.

[bobm12]

Welcome to the forum deeclee. Looks like a nice place and bench + tools already looking good. My suggestion, add a strip of wood about 1 inch high on the sides and back of the bench/desk surface's edge so as to stop tools and flyers or prevent "overflows". I'm not too articulate for describing stuff but hopefully you get the idea....otherwise, just ask and I'll try to explain better.

Cheers,

Bob

 

[Tmuir]

Hi,

Your one step in front of me, I still don't have a permanent spot set up, or a watch cleaning machine.

Look forward to reading your posts.

 

Tony

[deeclee]

7 hours ago, bobm12 said:

Welcome to the forum deeclee. Looks like a nice place and bench + tools already looking good. My suggestion, add a strip of wood about 1 inch high on the sides and back of the bench/desk surface's edge so as to stop tools and flyers or prevent "overflows". I'm not too articulate for describing stuff but hopefully you get the idea....otherwise, just ask and I'll try to explain better.

Cheers,

Bob

 

Hi Bob. I get the idea and I think it's a great one. I am kind of clumsy at times and this will certainly help a lot.

cheers.

[deeclee]

2 hours ago, Tmuir said:

Hi,

Your one step in front of me, I still don't have a permanent spot set up, or a watch cleaning machine.

Look forward to reading your posts.

 

Tony

Thanks Tony. I am looking forward to reading your stuff too. Do you already have some experience? I am starting from scratch.. 

[vinn3]

might be fun to pick up a few non  running watches to peactice on  "sacrifice"  and to learn how to use tweezers.  best of luck,  vinn

[deeclee]

29 minutes ago, vinn3 said:

might be fun to pick up a few non  running watches to peactice on  "sacrifice"  and to learn how to use tweezers.  best of luck,  vinn

I have already picked up a couple of these on the bay and in garage sales. At 2$ a piece, I can't go wrong and i'll be able to practice without fear!

[Tmuir]

1 hour ago, deeclee said:

Thanks Tony. I am looking forward to reading your stuff too. Do you already have some experience? I am starting from scratch.. 

I had read a few books and 'dabbled' in the past but at the start of this year I started night classes on watch and clock repair, its a 3 year course so still got a lot to learn. I've had more practice with clocks than watches so far.

[deeclee]

2 minutes ago, Tmuir said:

I had read a few books and 'dabbled' in the past but at the start of this year I started night classes on watch and clock repair, its a 3 year course so still got a lot to learn. I've had more practice with clocks than watches so far.

Oh! Very nice. I must admit that I'd be more than happy to take some classes. However I have no idea if there are any in my area. I will start digging.

If you have recommendations on good books for beginners, please fill me in.

Thanks.

[bobm12]

Hi deeclee,

Check out Donald De Carle books. Some of them are free as pdf on line. They are, so to speak, a default for watchmaking. Also, you might want to check on the TimeZone classes. They are on line. Not very much in depth but for starters are OK. The Seiko Servicing class for 7S26 is free and on line also. Search for 7S26 and Hacko.

Of course, none of those replace a good hands on watchmaking course with a guiding instructor or an apprenticeship for that matter.

Just an idea that might help.

Cheers,

Bob

[Tmuir]

There are lots of good books.

Donald de Carle has several good books on both watches and clocks, they are dated in some areas, but still very good books.

Or is you would prefer one from an American view point rather than British look for 'The Watch Repairer's Manual' by Henry B Fried

If you can find yourself a copy of 'Watch and Clockmakers Handbook Dictionary and Guide' by Britten, its worth getting hold of as it shows many of the tools and gives brief explanations of what they are used for, great for identifying a mystery tool you get in an ebay job lot. It was first published in 1884, but has been reprinted many times. I've got a 1902 copy and a 1938 copy that was my grandfathers.

There are many other good books and lots specialising on certain topics such as carriage clocks, 400 day clocks, pocket watches etc, which are books to get after you have got the basics.

One other great but expensive book is by George Daniels 'Watchmaking'.  It goes into how to actually make a pocket watch from scratch and is full of real gems of information.

[deeclee]

Thanks guys. I will definitely grab Donald de Carle's books then.

The 7S26 course sounds great. I do own an SKX and it'd be nice to know more. 

[vinn3]

these video seem to be the thing these days,  some  good,  some not.  if  you  can understand all of de carles book;   then go for a video.  cheers  vinn

[deeclee]

6 minutes ago, vinn3 said:

these video seem to be the thing these days,  some  good,  some not.  if  you  can understand all of de carles book;   then go for a video.  cheers  vinn

I see your point. I also am often disappointed with videos.