Jump to content

Brass Vs Stainless Steel Tweezers

haratua

By haratua
in Watch Repairs Help & Advice

 Share

Recommended Posts

haratua WRT Addict

haratua

Posted
Posted

If I am not mistaken, brass tweezers are softer, hence better for handling more delicate parts to avoid scratches or marks, is that accurate?

If that's the case, why not just use brass tweezers all the time?

What are your understanding about the usage of brass versus stainless steel tweezers?

Thanks 

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

matabog

Posted
Posted

Hello!

I think you expect an answer from a true watchmaker, but I would like  to present my point of view:

 

I use brass tweezers ALL THE TIME, except when I need to get in a very narrow space (they are pretty chunky) or have to apply some sort of force.

 

The brass tweezers are softer so they grip better - somehow they mold around the object. It's less likely to loose a screw when you use brass. They also don't scratch the surface of things - bridges, cocks. When you need to lift bridges you use a screwdriver to lift them a bit, anyway. I also use a brass tweezers to deal with the incabloc jewels.

 

I find them very useful.

Bogdan

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Mark Distinguished Member

Mark

Posted
Posted

IMO brass tweezers are too soft for general work. I use steel tweezers because they are durable (well the quality ones are anyway).

I use brass tweezers when I absolutely do not want to risk damage to what I am holding.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Link to comment
Share on other sites
PadraicB WRT Addict

PadraicB

Posted
Posted

From the videos, I've seen Mark regularly switch between the two in a couple of videos, the IWC FA Jones vid shows this in action. Such as using steel tweezers (or whichever alloy his are, e.g. dumoxel) to pick up screws and then immediately switching to brass tweezers for picking up the wheels/bridges, etc. As others have mentioned the reason is quite simple - brass is much softer than steel, so it reduces the risk of scratching surfaces. Not a concern for the average mechanical, but some of these watches are very very expensive ;). Aside from the brass tweezers, there's also the use of pegwood when holding something in place rather than using a second pair of lethal tweezers at a sharp angle.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
PadraicB WRT Addict

PadraicB

Posted
Posted

Good question, I'm very new to the hobby and bought a no.3 pair of brass tweeezer for around £2.

 

They seem fine but perhaps I'm just naive because I'm new to the hobby.

 

Brass tweezers appear to be universally cheap compared to any other alloy used in tweezers.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
 Share
Go to topic listing


  • Similar Content

  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • Malocchio
      Stem removal after fitting hands

      By Malocchio · Posted

      That can be tricky. Sometimes I hold the movement from the edges in left hand and with right hand I push the release with tweezers and simultaneously pull the stem out with right hand pinky or something. 
    • PeterS
      Stem removal after fitting hands

      By PeterS · Posted

      I see what you mean. I must admit I’m not entirely comfortable with that but I can’t see a better method than what you suggest. I’d like to see something like this mirror with a short spike: https://www.cousinsuk.com/product/mirror-for-observing-movements Place it on, push the spike on the post with one hand and release the stem with the other hand. Minor problem, it doesn’t exist.
    • Michael1962
      Leaving the forum for a while.

      By Michael1962 · Posted

      Hope you mum keeps on mending. I was adamant that I was going to get myself going after my stroke. I was only 52. I still have a lot of life left to live. Some people give up. Some people don't let it beat them. Your mum sounds like one of the winners. 👍
    • Michael1962
      I'm going to be setting up a decent little workshop here at home.

      By Michael1962 · Posted

      Moved in. Now working out the best place to have things so moving around the room makes sense. The wooden movement testing rig may end up being suspended from the roof with some pulleys and ropes that I salvaged from some alfresco blinds that we replaced. I always seem to salvage things from things we scrap thinking, "I have an idea what I can use these for." I hope I'm not the only one that does that. My wife hates me for it. "What are you going to do with all this crap?" Anyway, here you go. If anyone has suggestions for workflow around a room, speak up. All Ideas are appreciated. The bench on wheels will carry either a laptop or my Samsung table for using with the little camera that is on the tripod for photos while dismantling etc. The small bar fridge in the corners going to have water etc in it and I might move the coffee maker from the kitchen out there as I am the only one that uses it. I want to get an ultrasonic cleaner so I may set up some sort of cleaning rig in front of the glass of the sliding door. Where the grandmother clock is currently standing. I'm hoping that I will be able to transition my working area, which is the table that the stool is sitting in front of, fairly easily between clocks and watches. I'll be doing my best to make sure that tools for each are separatedwhen stored. Logistics. I'll have a bit of wall space for being able to hang clocks if I find some that I wish to keep or hopefully at some time to be able to hang customer clocks for monitoring after servicing/repairs. The clock on the left in the blue pillow slip and the grandmother clock are earmarked for  Jarryd and his wife, Sara. He helped me move the benches in today. And then went on to tell me that ticking clocks drive him nuts. Who doesn't like the rhythmic ticking of a clock? I have a green pad for adding to the bench for a working surface. It is not a cutting mat or one of the Bergeon mats. It is actually a green desk writing mat. Was really cheap and will do exactly what I want, I think. I also have to get the sparkies back that put our new stove in to put some power points on the walls behind the benches. Hopefully this is all going to go well. I'm excited about it. It'll beat having to live out in the garage doing it. The other thing I have to do is cut a circle or square of plastic to go over the bouncing watch or clock part black hole in the middle of the floor. I would pretty much guarantee that anything that sproings off the bench would end up going straight down that drain. 😄      I think I have been on this forum about 4 years and still yet to really strike a blow. That's a bit sad isn't it. Signed up to Mark's watch course and have yet to buy the movement for working on. Have most of the tools I think I will need so now all just a matter of will.   I have to make a crank handle for my Joe Collins spring winder as well and some spring retaining tubes as I can't find where I can buy them. I will be salvaging (here I go again) the aluminium tubing from my old hang glider which I have to scrap as I can't fly anymore and it is too old to sell. All the aluminium tubing is aircraft grade so I am hoping it will be suitable for the winder. I have also been making a bushing tool and I have just worked out that it will work well with my Dremel stand. So another thing that I can turn into a working tool. Don't know if you guys have ever seen the ad about the guy that buys himself a new 4WD and the son says "We're going to need a bigger boat." So Liz is looking at all the stuff we have to get rid of and says "We're going to need a bigger bin." Really difficult to work out how big a Dempster bin we need. Sigh.
    • Neverenoughwatches
      Stem removal after fitting hands

      By Neverenoughwatches · Posted

      So leave off the seconds. Stand the movement on its edge, its the dial edge that rests on the pad ( either rubber or cork , something that wont slip ). Use a finger of your left hand to hold the movement upright,  right hand presses the release and flicks out the stem. I do it this way so i can see what I'm under a microscope. But you could hold the movement between two fingers of your left hand, its the right that has to manipulate the stem out by pushing the release and flicking out the stem with  right ring finger nail. Sounds more complicated than it actually is. I guess you could fix a push pin to something solid, then all you need to do is push the release against the pin, leaving your right hand completely free to pull the stem out.
×
×
  • Create New...