Jump to content

Workbench Height Solution.


Recommended Posts

Most amateur watchmakers use existing tables or work tops for doing their repairs. The big problem is the height is usually far to low to be comfortable when working for long periods. The cost of a proper watchmakers workbench is in most cases prohibitive, bearing in mind I am talking about hobbiests and not professionals.

My solution to the problem was to make a small table to sit on top of my computer desk that gives extra working height. It also slips underneath the computer monitor and allows normal desk height when I require to use my wee lathe. The Bergeon sheet has been trimmed down to A4. I decided on A4 as it allows me to use a clean sheet of A4 paper every time I assemble a movement. All edges are raised to prevent components rolling off, the front edge being slightly lower than the others. The overall height is 150mm, but this could be made to suit the individual. Ideally I would have made it slightly taller, but it would not slide underneath my computer monitor.

Here's a couple of photos.

post-124-0-66514500-1411207114_thumb.jpg

post-124-0-86361200-1411207157_thumb.jpg

post-124-0-23027600-1411207194_thumb.jpg

  • Like 5
Link to comment
Share on other sites

That is a beautifully simple solution! BTW, why does everyone's work space start looking the same? No matter how much room you think you'll have it's never enough! ......same with car garages!

Edited by DJW
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Geo,

 

Very nice work.  Do you have construction plans for it?

 

BTW,  what's the lighter fluid for, cleaning parts?

Sorry I don't have plans, they were just scribbled on a piece of paper when I made it two years ago. As I said, the working area on the top fits an A4 sheet of paper exactly, you could scale it from there. The height would really depend on what the individual was comfortable with.

The lighter fluid is for cleaning parts. If I'm working on a really filthy watch I like to soak it in lighter fluid before cleaning the parts ultrasonically.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Orrrrrrrrrrr, if you haven't got time, or funds, I made one out of a cardboard box, filled with bubble wrap for rigidity, finished in imitation leather fabric stuff and an A4 cutting mat on top ....... works brilliantly ....

 

post-227-0-97264200-1417112555_thumb.jpg

 

Stores at side of work area.....

 

post-227-0-99641200-1417112625_thumb.jpg

 

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Bought a few of these a while back, they work perfect on a standard desk top:

post-80-0-80514900-1417126549.jpg

they are available here: http://www.viking-direct.co.uk/a/pb/Wooden-3-Drawer-Unit-Silver/pr=Q29&id=3TNP-SB/

 

I plan on fixing 2 or 3 together and making a top similar to this:

post-80-0-46006300-1417127190.jpg

would buy one but the cost in excess of £1000.

I am in the process of refitting the office at present & will post a pic once finished.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 7 years later...
Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 hours ago, tomh207 said:

Hello @tomh207


No joy there:

image.png.8de39a706926f2c35d8794c3b3697a53.png

I am currently developing the plans for a simple Portable Watchmakers Desk.

I have already started talking with some manufacturers in South China about making them from a sustainable source (Bamboo or Pine).

They will have:

- An A2-sized 3-sided top
- Integrated carry handles
- 2x2 drawers configuration (4 total)
- Sturdy base w/ integrated adjustable feet

Here's some concept drawings...

image.thumb.png.19387987ba808c184d15dc6d8e55462a.png


Here's a general idea of what the material (bamboo) looks like.  Personally, I like the way it looks. 🙂


image.png.81a9657ba21c43de206aeff97d05f7bd.png

g.
----

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 hours ago, tomh207 said:

Doing further research they they don’t look that good Gramham 

 

sorry

 

Tom

Hello @tomh207,


You mean the drawers you referenced in your post?  That's too bad...

Well, you can always critique the Portable Watch Repairers Bench that I'm trying to define and develop here in China if you are so inclined and have the time...  🙂


g.
----

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 year later...
On 8/21/2022 at 8:54 AM, Gramham said:

have already started talking with some manufacturers in South China about making them from a sustainable source (Bamboo or Pine).

Hey there! Any forward movement on this Idea? Love the idea of a simple lower cost watch bench... 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 1/20/2024 at 11:28 PM, Yani365 said:

Hey there! Any forward movement on this Idea? Love the idea of a simple lower cost watch bench... 

unfortunately Gramham hasn’t been back on the site for some time so at the moment this project is unlikely to come to fruition. I have seen a lot of people these days going for raising and lowering desks so there is flexibility, normal height for microscope use, higher for when you need to get up close and personal with a movement. I wish I had gone down this route as I can see the advantages now. Oh, you can get adjustable arm rests from Amazon, made for computer use but as watch fiddlers we adapt and modify all sorts of stuff.

 

Tom

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

8 minutes ago, tomh207 said:

. I have seen a lot of people these days going for raising and lowering desks so there is flexibility, normal height for microscope use, higher for when you need to get up close and personal with a movement. I wish I had gone down this route as I can see the advantages now.

 

I have a height adjustable desk, and it made a world of difference. My wife insisted I get one about 2 years ago as I was constantly complaining about neck ache. Should always listen to the wife! Gone are 99% of all watch related aches and pains. I also found that using a scope for most of my work instead of a loupe or visor also forced me to sit upright with good posture instead of hunching and causing neck/back strain.

The desks aren't too much more than an ordinary one, I was surprised at how little the cost difference was +25% (ish)

In short I would highly recommend.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, tomh207 said:

unfortunately Gramham hasn’t been back on the site for some time so at the moment this project is unlikely to come to fruition. I have seen a lot of people these days going for raising and lowering desks so there is flexibility, normal height for microscope use, higher for when you need to get up close and personal with a movement. I wish I had gone down this route as I can see the advantages now. Oh, you can get adjustable arm rests from Amazon, made for computer use but as watch fiddlers we adapt and modify all sorts of stuff.

 

Tom

🤔 strange sort of chap, lots of ideas, fingers in pies, bravado and bull tbh lol. I think i had a little dig once when things didn't add up and he never came back , oops sorry about that gramham some things i cant tolerate. 

  • Haha 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi Waggy. Ihave a custom made desk built from redundant kitchen units with drawers and a cupboard,  not pretty but practical. I also made a desk top one with a drawer again from bits to use in the house in winter as the workshop has minimal heat and the fingers suffer. So it is quite possible a lot of members have the skills to do the same, it’s not rocket science by any means. Do you have a picture of your bench so others who may be interested can get an idea.    Thanks

  • Like 2
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.



  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Topics

  • Posts

    • 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. 👍
    • 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.  
    • 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.
    • Try putting everything back together and closing the back cover. I think one of the two springs has to contact the metal casing to ground the casing. So when you press the button, it will touch the contact on circuit board and close the circuit.
    • Yes, the seconds hand is the longest and goes almost to the edge of the dial. I can’t quite picture it how you do it on the rubber pad
×
×
  • Create New...