Tweezers advice?

[bobm12]

I've been using the Dumoxel #2 and #5 mainly (I lean towards #5 mostly) but I've seen Mark's tweezers in the videos and they look mighty good and strong....Since my #2's are a little battered I was wondering what were the one's featured in the videos.

 

I'm also open to opinions and suggestions as to what will be a durable and worthy replacements to the above 2.

 

Your input is deeply appreciated!

 

Robert

[RosscoInOshawa]

I'd be interested in that as well. 

 

I am in awe of Mark's video's and his dexterity. 

 

I may not have noticed them but are brass tweezers a necessity?

 

Rossco

[WillFly]

If you're handling delicate steel parts, brass tweezers are safer because they're softer than steel and won't mark the components.

[RosscoInOshawa]

If you're handling delicate steel parts, brass tweezers are safer because they're softer than steel and won't mark the components.

Thanks Will,

 

I'm not too concerned about damaging surfaces presently but then again, once I actually start turning screws and loosing springs, etc., that may change :)

 

I'll leave them on my "nice to have" list for now.

 

Rossco

[bobm12]

By now, everyone knows I'm working mainly on Seikos -- apart from the rare Unitas 6498 or the ETA 2801-2/2824/46-2 mostly on the waiting list -- and so there is a question that has been bothering me for quite a while (but don't want to risk $40 plus replacement waiting in this experiment).

 

The barrel and train wheel bridge in the Seiko 7S26 or 7S36 has a clip that holds together the first reduction wheel and the pawl lever (magic lever) together. In the service data, they attach and/or detach the said clip, or "reduction wheel holder" as they call it, with tweezers.

 

After a while I guess you get the hang of it and do it in one swift movement -- at the beginning it takes more tries!. Either way, there is potential to leave marks on the bridge due to the action of the tweezers in this operation. (I have!)

 

The question here would be: Will brass tweezers be strong enough for this task (without the tweezers being damaged)?

[DJW]

FYI,

Those of you guys in the USA looking for some very nice Brass Tweezers, Dashto Horological has some Very nice 1-AM Dumont Brass Tweezers for $7(retail is roughly $30us). I bought a pair and was very surprised to find they are brand new! I had to slightly dress the tips, but now they are perfect! I use them for quite a bit for assembly work....

The website is listed here...

http://www.watchrepairtalk.com/topic/169-united-states/

 

Part number is:

009.3131

[jnash]

I have many tweezers however its taken me a while to get the handling and the care correct,

 

Would like to start again afresh with a new set. Need some that i will reserve for hairspring work as well.

 

 

Thanks in advance

 

Jonathan

[bobm12]

Hi Jonathan,

 

for hairspring work it is recommended very fine tweezers: #4 and #5 are preferred. I know good ones are expensive but they are a sure shot and the material is better. Cheap ones, well, you get what you pay for but some may come out all right momentarily if you know how to prepare/dress them correctly. A new set would include a #1, 2 #2s and 2 #5s and a #3 and maybe a #4 and #7 (if you feel confortable with the "beak" type).

 

I personally favor #5 for everything, but keep a #2 handy for heavy stuff. I got 2 types of #2, a wide point one and a fine point one, they each serve their purpose.

 

I think the last cheapo tweezers I got to experiment with and after dressing them right were quite acceptable -- but needed constant re dressing -- were "Stella" or something like that. In any case, ofrei has some cheap Chinese ones that are comparable to those cheap ones.

 

Hope this helps,

 

Bob

[Mark]

I have had many brands of Tweezers over the years and always keep coming back to Dumont.

 

Size 5 or 4 for hairspring work.

Size 2 For general work.

 

I personally have no use for any other size apart 5, 2 and from my brass tweezers which are around size 3.

[Blacklab]

Dumont it is, pricey yes but excellent. Started using them recently, well worth the expense.

[bobm12]

My thoughts exactly: Dupont are the best and worth the expense.

[jnash]

Just had a look at what I've got over the years, seems I have a few good ones I've forgot about, few Dumont's, rubis and precista's. Need a clean up, not sure the best way but at least I have something to work with

[Don]

Hi all,

 

I have one good pair of quality brass tweezers, which are Bergeon gold plated, pattern 1AM and definitely on the pricey side. The other two pairs I have are cheap, Indian made and are a mess. I'm using them to practice dressing tweezers. Anyway, there doesn't seem to be anywhere near the availability of quality brass tweezers as steel. Which brand/pattern do you recommend and does anyone know a good supplier for them on the U.S. side of the pond?

 

Thanks in advance.

[bobm12]

Hi Don,

 

That's a good question, I've been searching high and low for some brass Dumond tweezers. Ofrei used to have them and now they are gone. Only ones available are Bergeon...The indian/chinese/whatever I got are not exactly doing too well even with dressed tips. So, I'm hoping a source for those arises soon on our side of the pond!

 

Cheers,

 

Bob

[Don]

There's a seller on Amazon that has Peer-Vigor "Boley style" brass tweezers. But they're about the same price as the Bergeon gold plated ones. Free shipping though...

[bobm12]

Thanks Don, I'll check him/her out!

 

Did a quick search but no luck for what I got! I'll keep looking.

 

Thanks again!

 

Bob

Edited January 23, 2015 by bobm12

[mlfloyd1]

Won't gold tipped brass tweezers scratch the movement or is the material still softer than steel or stainless steel?

[Geo]

Brass is a lot softer than steels, but most movements are plated brass so you still have to be careful.

[rogart63]

I like the Vetus tweezers . Nice price .Not sure their is a brass but i think so . Found my tweezers on ebay . Cousinsuk have them to .

[Marc]

I have a pair of the Vetus AA brass tweezers which got from Cousins last summer for a few quid. They seem pretty good to me but took a little getting used to as I prefer to use the Dumont No4 pattern tweezers which a quite a bit finer.

[rogart63]

I have a pair of the Vetus AA brass tweezers which got from Cousins last summer for a few quid. They seem pretty good to me but took a little getting used to as I prefer to use the Dumont No4 pattern tweezers which a quite a bit finer.

 Maybe there is'nt a brass tweezer other than the AA model from Vetus . To bad . There are also carbon tipped tweezers ? 

[Geo]

There are also carbon tipped tweezers ?

I've been thinking of getting a set to try, the May have their uses.

[Don]

Hey Bob. If you're interested, I found a couple of sources for the Peer-Vigor brass tweezers in the U.S.

http://portlandjewelrysupplies.com/sitetools/product.php/view/detail/id/5082

https://www.artcotools.com/tweezers-patterns-aa-rr.html

Shipping is to expensive for me unless I'm buying more items, but they're bookmarked for later use.

[bobm12]

Wow, thank you Don, I'll get to those links and hopefully get a couple. I didn't know about those vendors.

 

Cheers,

 

Bob

[Don]

You're welcome, Bob. If I try one of them I'll post here about both the tweezers and the vendor.