Jump to content

What tools can't a beginner live without?

Aric

By Aric
in Tools & Equipment

 Share

Recommended Posts

Aric New Member

Aric

Posted
Posted

Hi Everyone,

I have it on good authority that, provided I am able to stay on the nice list, Santa will be bringing me the following:

Bergeon 9 screwdriver set in a round carousel type holder

Double eyeglass loupe 4x-10x

Bergeon 4040 Plastic Movement holder

Dumont non-magnetic #2 tweezer

Plastic dust cover and tray

One lonely bar of rodico

He is only bringing those items because his elves had to spend a lot of time and money making toys for the kids this year.

Is there anything that I should look into getting in the very near future to supplement this? Do I need hand removers or can I use screwdrivers? Are there any tricks to pressing on the back cover of a watch without needing a press? What about taking apart a metal watch band, will I need the special tools, or can I get by with something else?

Thanks!

sperki77 WRT Addict

sperki77

Posted
Posted

I would probably try to get another pair of tweezers, maybe brass, and some peg wood.  A case knife is another pretty necessary item.  If the watch band is expandable, like a twist-o-flex, the case knife will work.  If it is one with removable links, the screwdrivers will work.  If you could get a little cheap set of precision screwdrivers to use for band repair it would be helpful so you can keep your good ones in top shape.  You'll probably really need a case opener for screw type backs, too.  That's my humble opinion, but I'm no expert, of course.  Welcome to watchmaking!

Sperki77

Watchtime Super WRT Addict

Watchtime

Posted
Posted

A squeegee ball($1) for opening can help but a good caseopener will in time prove its value($ 5-10). Ofco**BLEEP** a good knife for pressed casebacks. I used to have a very simple glass press to close also the casebacks. When doing quartz, a batterytester is useful and not expensive. a watchcusion($1), for dustcovering you can use jars. A good set of tweezers , maybe add a brass one. Handremovers will prevent you from damaging the dail. On your wishlist I think there also should be pegwood and maybe a $30 ultrasonic when you want to clean stuff. Have fun.

 

 

1.0x0.jpeg

  • Like 1
IllinoisWatch Member

IllinoisWatch

Posted
Posted

i have extras of almost every tool you would ever need. have bought out a few watchmakers. i repair watches for  a living.        if you want to get serious you will need a staking set, poising tool, hand removers, timing machine, automatic oiler, mainspring winders ... i could go on all day. ...  really depends on what you want to do. what is your goal??

how do you plan on becoming educated? classes? school? 

Aric New Member

Aric

Posted
  • Author
Posted
4 hours ago, IllinoisWatch said:

i have extras of almost every tool you would ever need. have bought out a few watchmakers. i repair watches for  a living.        if you want to get serious you will need a staking set, poising tool, hand removers, timing machine, automatic oiler, mainspring winders ... i could go on all day. ...  really depends on what you want to do. what is your goal??

how do you plan on becoming educated? classes? school? 

My immediate goal is to replace the UT 29C movement in my dad's old watch (that I broke when I was about 5). I have the new (used) movement in a little plastic case right now ticking away nicely. I also want to take the calendar wheel out of a broken Ronda 705 and replace my new one that doesn't line up right with the window on my Swiss Army Delta from the early 90s. After that, I'd like to take apart the old UT 29C at some point and clean it and oil it and replace the main spring. I don't know how to find out what size I need though because I lost it. I suppose I could take it out of the other one, but I wonder if there is a document around that might say the mainspring size for that movement. That old movement will probably be something to practice on for a while when I have some time, just take it apart and put it back together again over and over.

My future dream goal would be to start picking up some nice vintage watches, wrist and pocket, maybe some really old stuff, and get it going and maintain it myself. Maybe get something broken on ebay, fix it, and sell it so that I can do another one, etc. For education, I thought about signing up here for the videos, and maybe a couple of those classes over at that online time zone watch school too. I found a copy of that old army manual online. Its a little complicated though, so maybe its something to read AFTER some classes.

I noticed that there are a LOT of toys that one can buy with this hobby. There might even be more than you can get as a golfer. I would love to have one of everything, but it is going to be accumulated very slowly I think since this is just a hobby. Who knows though, if I am ever able to become proficient, there might be room for some side jobs in my area. I don't think there are any watchmakers in the area anymore. The last one I heard about was in his 80s back in like 1990. Something tells me he is retired by now. =) 

Thanks for all of the good info everyone!

noirrac1j Distinguished Member

noirrac1j

Posted
Posted
Hi Everyone,

I have it on good authority that, provided I am able to stay on the nice list, Santa will be bringing me the following:

Bergeon 9 screwdriver set in a round carousel type holder

Double eyeglass loupe 4x-10x

Bergeon 4040 Plastic Movement holder

Dumont non-magnetic #2 tweezer

Plastic dust cover and tray

One lonely bar of rodico

He is only bringing those items because his elves had to spend a lot of time and money making toys for the kids this year.

Is there anything that I should look into getting in the very near future to supplement this? Do I need hand removers or can I use screwdrivers? Are there any tricks to pressing on the back cover of a watch without needing a press? What about taking apart a metal watch band, will I need the special tools, or can I get by with something else?

Thanks!


Add a caseback opener to that list and you have the minimum equipment needed to begin


Sent from my SM-G925T using Tapatalk

RyMoeller Super WRT Addict

RyMoeller

Posted
Posted
On 12/4/2016 at 0:07 AM, Watchtime said:

1.0x0.jpeg

Ooh I hate this little guy.  It's the most loathed tool in my kit and when it comes out it's usually accompanied by a strong drink.  The super ball or a wad of duct tap is a good alternative although when they can't get the job done...

For snap back cases I use the blade from a drywall cutter and a dull Swiss army knife.

Regarding other necessary tools, the only thing I'll add is a sharpening stone will be certainly be needed although you may get through the first few jobs without it.  Losing the tip of a screwdriver will bring you to a full stop and the Bergeon replacements are not cheap.

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

    • t1climb1
      Stuck on current Valjoux Chronograph repair

      By t1climb1 · Posted

      Hello all, I am working on an older Valjoux Chrono. It doesn't have a stamp on the movement anywhere but I believe it is a Valjoux 72. I installed the train of wheels and they will not turn. The problem appears to be the 4th wheel and the escape wheel are not interfacing correctly. I had to replace both of these parts as the pivots were broken on each. I sourced genuine Valjoux/ETA replacements. I think the problem is with the escape wheel as all the wheels turn perfectly if I remove just the escape wheel.  My question to those with more Valjoux experience is am I mistaken? Is this some other model altogether and I have the wrong part or parts?    
    • RichardHarris123
      Help with repairing a quartz clock

      By RichardHarris123 · Posted

      I would remove the wheels, check for damage and if not damaged, clean. 
    • MikaR
      Help with repairing a quartz clock

      By MikaR · Posted

      Thanks for the replies! Here's a photo of the front of the clock and a GIF animation of the movement (exposed by removing the black cap in the centre of the clock). You can see the behaviour of the gears. It's a fairly valuable clock from the 80s (Braun ABW 35). I'm not sure if replacing the movement would diminish the value, so I'd prefer to keep the original parts if it's easy to fix. But since the movement itself is pretty generic, I guess, maybe replacing it wouldn't make any difference with regard to the value of the clock? Or would it? I suppose the value is mostly in the design.
    • VWatchie
      What's your thoughts on this Rolex Sea-Dweller, ref. 16600, calibre 3135 project?

      By VWatchie · Posted

      Well, my fundamental stance is that I want to go in and out without leaving any trace other than a shining, perfectly running movement. So, no scratchings on the inside of the case back lid, no marred screws, no debris, no fingerprints, and so on. That is, my goal is to make it impossible for the FBI to track me down. As a professional, I suppose you might want to keep track of returning watches, but as @JohnR725 mentioned, we can keep detailed computer records without marking the watch at all. That may not be true for every watch, but luxury and COSC-certified movements do have unique numbers. John also says it’s best to leave no sign you were ever there, and I couldn't agree more. Now, suppose the Sea-Dweller I'm working on is one day scrapped, and you want to sell the case-back separately (perhaps the case was destroyed in a plane crash). Then the scribbles on the inside no longer reflect the current movement inside the case. Also, the engraving will likely halve the market value of the case back. It had been "sleeping" for about a week and a half. Yes, the "debris/old lubricant" theory is my hypothesis as well! It will be interesting to see what I find once I have time to start disassembling the movement.
    • MikeEll
      Help with repairing a quartz clock

      By MikeEll · Posted

      I've repaired a few of these, having some success with stripping and cleaning the mechanism.  They are so cheap though, its hardly worth the effort in many cases.
×
×
  • Create New...