Jump to content

Economical watch tools (again)

oldhippy

By oldhippy
in Tools & Equipment

 Share

Recommended Posts

jdm Distinguished Member

jdm

Posted
Posted
7 minutes ago, oldhippy said:

When it comes to horological tools the trade is flooded with foreign imports of inferior quality.

No doubt but since there are economical tools which do their job perfectly, our duty is to inform about these. No generalizations please.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
oldhippy Distinguished Member

oldhippy

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I recommend to members on here of the type of tools I have used which I think is justified. I am not going to advise people of tools I have never used. Watchmakers/repairers on other forums, do not recommend cheap imports.   

Link to comment
Share on other sites
jdm Distinguished Member

jdm

Posted
Posted
39 minutes ago, oldhippy said:

I recommend to members on here of the type of tools I have used which I think is justified. I am not going to advise people of tools I have never used.

Absolutely, see all my postings mention type and purchase place of the tools that I use.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Watchtime Super WRT Addict

Watchtime

Posted
Posted
On 16-3-2018 at 2:15 AM, Deggsie said:

Is there a chat section entitled "Freedom of Speech In the Western World" and one about "Why I fought For my Country's Ideals"?  Meant light heartedly JDM, but we are only "chatting".

jdm just pointed out to discuss it in the correct section,...I agree with him...keeping it on topic

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
ecodec WRT Addict

ecodec

Posted
Posted

I have many Chinese and foreign tools. Cheap and cheerful screwdrivers, Tweezers, movement holders etc. All re-engineered by myself and all are very good at little cost. If the tools are prepared correctly for the work then the rest  is mainly down to the skill and know how of the repairer. Just my opinion. It is my understanding that a lot of Chinese manufactured components are used by a large movement maker and it is not unknown nowadays for expensive watches to be 1st. class air mail insured and shipped to China for service/repair if one knows where to go in China for this work. The sender then triples the cost to his customer. 

  • Like 1
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Tudor Distinguished Member

Tudor

Posted
Posted
On ‎3‎/‎13‎/‎2018 at 6:46 AM, rodabod said:

Just remembered: I bought a Chinese Katsu Mini Pillar Drill recently and it’s incredibly good. Virtually no play, and a very clever design using a sewing machine motor. 

Interested in info on this please...

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Tudor Distinguished Member

Tudor

Posted
Posted

On topic:

I have a (Chinese?) crystal press. I used it as such once- it is fine but the dies, with their brass inserts, are worth less than dental floss at a Willie Nelson concert. The brass works loose and scored the crystal.

I have re-purposed it however. Using the correct dies, it is the absolute best way to remove (Aluminum) inserts from Rolex bezels without inflicting any damage to the inserts. It's also good at reinstalling them. Rolex crystals don't really need a press- only the crystal retaining ring. Formerly I have used a 12-point socket and a drill press to set them. However, I plan to make a dedicated tool, with the exact angle of the retainer, to set them properly. (it's on the list!)

I also have (knockoff) Rolex case back sockets which work very well. "Ruihua" brand, with a hand-wheel wrench. They will fit the "fancy" press tools but I have only one caseback that I can't remove with this tool. It's a Titanium case with a Titanium back. REALLY stupid since Titanium LOVES to gall and I think that's exactly what happened (or it's cross-threaded but back it sitting flush). It should have a stainless back. Anyway, that will be getting a liquid oxygen bath to shrink the back away from the mid case and it WILL come off...

I think I have some knock-off plastic tweezers too. Those are fine for holding a battery. The "Faux" Dumont tweezers are absolute garbage however. I have one pair I was burned on and they would not even make a good clothespin...

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
ecodec WRT Addict

ecodec

Posted
Posted
On 6/4/2018 at 10:21 AM, oldhippy said:

 

I recommend to members on here of the type of tools I have used which I think is justified. I am not going to advise people of tools I have never used. Watchmakers/repairers on other forums, do not recommend cheap imports.   

Very sound advice but I bought a small expensive screwdriver that was right out of line two years ago and have seen "experts" using similar ones on video  that wobble around, would not do for me.  Many tools have to be re-engineered in my humble opinion.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
jdm Distinguished Member

jdm

Posted
Posted
9 hours ago, ecodec said:

Many tools have to be re-engineered in my humble opinion.

Some only. For example my Anchor drivers are fine, so are the Vetus tweezers. But the bench type case opener needed a little bit of work to clean some screws. So all cases are different, but on both I got noo big names, small cost, excellent performance.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
ecodec WRT Addict

ecodec

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, jdm said:

Some only. For example my Anchor drivers are fine, so are the Vetus tweezers. But the bench type case opener needed a little bit of work to clean some screws. So all cases are different, but on both I got noo big names, small cost, excellent performance.

Me too and all agreed.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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

    • CraftyJewels
      Intro

      By CraftyJewels · Posted

      Hi everybody,  My trade is a jeweller but I'm looking to learn more about watches. I do basic bits and pieces to watches like changing glasses, strap repairs and hand repairs but would like to upskill and learn a lot more and thought this would be the best place to do that.  
    • Neverenoughwatches
      Without Our Forum

      By Neverenoughwatches · Posted

      I have it, so until we get a lunch one day , nearly everyday is with my mum at the moment.
    • RichardHarris123
      Without Our Forum

      By RichardHarris123 · Posted

      In the meantime whilst awaiting a better plan, please drop me a quick hello on my email. 
    • Neverenoughwatches
      Without Our Forum

      By Neverenoughwatches · Posted

      I looked at it like this, I've built a lot of stuff in my time, building structures and furniture,those are my creations and they will still be here way way after I'm gone. Traditional watchmakers felt the need to pass their knowledge on, ideas that they created . I assume with them as it is with me, leaving their mark on the earth, a way of being remembered. This creation of Mark's has brought thousands of people together to pass their knowledge around,  ideas that will continue to be used for lifetimes. Ideas that should continue to be procured. If for whatever reason the forum ceased to exist, not quite like Ranfft's, that didn't disappear but much less usable. Then that is sad, such a massive loss of communication between good people and a wealth of knowledge lost. There should be something in place for when that happens which could be next week, next year or in 10 years. Might not be a topical subject for a lot of folk or boardering on controversy, i did say i talk about stuff other people dont. But if you dont talk about it and something happens then you've lost it and you ain't gonna fix it .
    • Waggy
      Without Our Forum

      By Waggy · Posted

      I've remained silent on this thread, and at the risk of upsetting everyone, the thing that worries me the most the the apparent absence of Mark. The moderators do a great job and the members also pitch in, and the site seems to run itself, but it is a concern for the future of this forum when the owner is absent for all intents and purposes. Like many of the comments above I would hate to log in one day and things be closed down as I rely on this site for ideas and knowledge and also cheer me up. maybe the Moderators could reach out to him, assuming he does not read this thread, and express our concerns and let us know the plans going forward? some kind of WRT ark
×
×
  • Create New...