Jump to content

Home made glass crystal sizer

Hamish

By Hamish
in Tools & Equipment

 Share

Recommended Posts

Hamish Member

Hamish

Posted
Posted

I guess most of you would have been frustrated not having an exact size crystal for pocket watch repair. I got an idea from a tool I saw on eBay and made a simple sizer. I have found it works really well.

Using a slip fit cement chuck I had on hand I bought a 10mm bearing from eBay ($1.49) and in the first picture you can see that I made a small cap to fit over the bearing from 12mm aluminium rod, I used some lock tight to secure it with an interference fit and them turned down a cement chuck to fit the inside of the bearing. 

I then glued some rubber (probably an old bike inner tube would do, its best if it slightly compresses and then you can see how tight it is) to the bearing end and did the same to the other chuck end and its good to go.

Simple slide up the tail stock and carefully place your crystal so that it is held. You will need to adjust several times to centre it, then in the last picture I use a small diamond file like this to take a shaving off. I was amazed how much control you actually have and the slightly rough finish from the file aids glueing or you could sand for a smooth interference fit with the pocket watch.

Not my idea really, I got it for nothing from Ebay!

 

IMGP0714.JPG

IMGP0715.JPG

IMGP0716.JPG

  • Like 7
Geo Distinguished Member

Geo

Posted
Posted

That's an excellent idea Hamish!  I've sized a couple using an extra fine diamond lap, but holding the crystal in my hand not a lathe.  It looks like I'll be using my lathe the next time. :)

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

    • JohnR725
      A lathe with indexing that won't break the bank?

      By JohnR725 · Posted

      interesting video nice to see the machine what it can do now I wonder what it costs and I'm sure it's not in my budget. Plus the video brought up questions but the website below answers the questions? What was bothering me was the size of his machine 4 mm because I thought it was bigger than that? But then it occurred to me that maybe they had variations it looks like four, seven and 10. With the seven and 10 being the best because way more tool positions in way more rotating tools. Although I bet you all the rotating tools are probably separate cost https://www.tornos.com/en/content/swissnano   Then as we been talking about Sherline. Just so that everyone's aware of this they have another division their industrial division where you can buy bits and pieces. I have a link below that shows that just in case you don't want to have the entire machine you just need bits and pieces. https://www.sherline.com/product-category/industrial-products-division/   Let's see what we can do with the concept I explained up above and bits and pieces. For one thing you can make a really tiny gear very tiny like perhaps you're going to make a watch. Then another version the center part is not separate it is all machined from one piece. Then fills gear cutting machines have gone through multiple of evolutions. A lot of it based on what he wanted to make like he was going to make a watch unfortunately eyesight issues have prevented that. Another reason why you should start projects like this much sooner when your eyesight is really good or perhaps start on watches first and then move the clocks then local we have from the industrial division? Looks like two separate motors and heads. Then it's hard to see but this entire thing is built on top of a much larger milling machine as a larger milling machine gave a very solid platform to build everything.   Then like everything else that had multiple generations are versions the indexing went through of course variations like above is one version and the one below was the last version. Now the version below I mentioned that previously and somewhere in the beginning to discussion and somebody else had one in their picture. As it is a really nice precision indexing. Then I wasn't sure if I had a the watch photos here is his unfinished watch. No he wasn't going to make a simple watch like none of his clocks were simply either what would be the challenge and that.    
    • Titanium
      Lab Coats

      By Titanium · Posted

      Use a Portwest Howie lab coat. They are the biological type so they have tapped cuffs so you don't end up getting the loose cuffs of normal lab coats catching everything. 
    • Titanium
      Chinese tools debate

      By Titanium · Posted

      Some of the Chinese tools ae great and can be purchased at a fraction of the price of Swiss ones, some are complete garbage and some I'm convinced are coming out the same factory as the branded ones.
    • caseback
      Calendar work certina 25-651

      By caseback · Posted

      I found this string about this problem. I've not gone through it all, but I believe it also mentions making a spring. If not in this string, the info is online.
    • tonydagee
      Calendar work certina 25-651

      By tonydagee · Posted

      No, I now realise it’s broken😥 ive looked for one online, but v. Expensive! im going to service as is, in the hope that  one turns up. Thank  you.
×
×
  • Create New...