Jump to content

Screwdrivers Choices


Recommended Posts

  • 3 weeks later...

Hello Everyone,

look for some advice on getting a screwdriver set to service watches with.

I first fought a $14 screwdriver set off of Amazon. First use the bit falls out of it. First use it bends. There was one screw none of the screwdrivers would fit to unscrew the screw in the watch I was learning on.

I returned that set and bought a professional set for $45 dollars.

I ran in to the same problem the smallest driver could not unscrew the screw and kept slipping out of the head of the screw. I tried larger size. It seems the tips are not fitting in to the head well enough.

I put to much pressure on the screwdriver and the shaft of the screwdriver snapped off while bouncing off my face,. Lol

I am glad I had the magnifying glasses on.

not sure if I am doing something wrong or I bought bad screwdriver set.

most likely it’s both,.. ?

where to buy the correct screwdriver set and what should the cost normally be?

I really thought the $45 set was professional set

Thanks

image.jpg

image.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

44 minutes ago, Sidney said:

Hello Everyone,

look for some advice on getting a screwdriver set to service watches with.

Good day,

Here is huge selection:

https://www.cousinsuk.com/category/screwdrivers-individual

I never buy a set, but rather individual screwdrivers based on my needs: 0.5mm, 0.8, 1.00, 1.20, 1.40 ? (almost a set).

Any 2.50 GBP screwdriver from the link above will be fine for your needs. Just make sure to use screwdrivers according to the size of the screw head. If you use 0.5mm blade on 1.00mm screw head - you will damage both, the screwdriver and the screw. If you use 1.2mm screwdriver you will shave the metal around the screw head - also not desirable..

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Hi All,

Has anyone ever worked with these set/brand of Horia screw drivers? They seem to be swiss like Horotec but I'm not sure. I've never seen these and was wondering of they are a good buy for 79.95 USD. from Cas-Ker Co.

Blades are firmly held by set screw. Sizes .60 .80 1.00 1.20 1.40 1.60 2.00 and 2.50mm. Swivel ball bearing heads and knurled handles. Space-saving stable stand is angled forward for ease of selection.

any and all help is appreciated.

 

 

Horia Watchmaker Screwdrivers.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

13 minutes ago, watchweasol said:

Hi   Horotec do supply some good well made tools so there is no reason to suppose their screwdrivers are any different,  are the Conventional blade or the "T" blade variety, If so you will need to get hold of their cylnder sharpener to keep them dressed they aren't cheap pic attached

s-l1600.jpg

I own one. It is a great tool but it’s expensive. After re- shaping the screwdriver tips to a T shape it definitely grips the screw head firmer with less chance of a slip. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 7 months later...

Hi all.

Although I am currently using a couple of sets of cheap eBay Watchmakers screwdrivers and once the blades have been ground and hardened they actually perform quite well, I have still been hankering after a set of Bergeon drivers, I have been looking at their offerings at Cousins and am a little confused.

They after 3 basic types, Aluminium, Chrome & Stainless Steel, in both 9 & 10 piece sets but the price difference seems to make no sense.

In Aluminium the 9 piece set costs £135 but the 10 piece set costs £215, so £80 for one extra driver.

In Chrome the 9 piece set costs  £97.95 but the 10 piece set costs  £215 so  £117.95 for one extra driver.

In Stainless the 9 piece set costs  £93.95 but the 10 piece set costs £174.95 so £81 for one extra driver.

What am I missing here as their prices do not add up to me, how can one extra driver cost so much.

Thanks for any input on this.

Also on the subject of Bergeon drivers what's the best blade material, their Hardened steel or their hardened stainless steel.

Thanks.

Paul

 

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 minutes ago, Paul80 said:

Hi all.

Although I am currently using a couple of sets of cheap eBay Watchmakers screwdrivers and once the blades have been ground and hardened they actually perform quite well, I have still been hankering after a set of Bergeon drivers, I have been looking at their offerings at Cousins and am a little confused.

They after 3 basic types, Aluminium, Chrome & Stainless Steel, in both 9 & 10 piece sets but the price difference seems to make no sense.

In Aluminium the 9 piece set costs £135 but the 10 piece set costs £215, so £80 for one extra driver.

In Chrome the 9 piece set costs  £97.95 but the 10 piece set costs  £215 so  £117.95 for one extra driver.

In Stainless the 9 piece set costs  £93.95 but the 10 piece set costs £174.95 so £81 for one extra driver.

What am I missing here as their prices do not add up to me, how can one extra driver cost so much.

Thanks for any input on this.

Also on the subject of Bergeon drivers what's the best blade material, their Hardened steel or their hardened stainless steel.

Thanks.

Paul

 

 

 

 

Did the more expensive ones come with a stand? The price of Swiss tools is crazy but they hold their value if you ever sell them on. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Bergeon have the name in watchmaking tools but there are others who's tools perform equally as well namley Horotec,  AF  etc, like tweezers the name is Dupont  but again there are others that perform  well enough and with care like anything will last a life time,  I have screwdrivers bought when I was sixteen , now 77 and they still perform well. So like anything buy the best you can afford and look after them. If you wish to emulate the professionals  Then buy the Bergeon and Dupont branded tools.  The essence is looking after them. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for the replies.

I will probably stick to a lesser just as good make if I was honest with myself, after all my £5 Chinese set does all that could ask of it now that I have hardened the blades.

Just trying to get my head around why the are charging for example with the Chrome set an extra £117 for the 3mm Driver when they sell the same 3mm driver on its own for £11.95.

Paul 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, Paul80 said:

Just trying to get my head around why the are charging for example with the Chrome set an extra £117 for the 3mm Driver when they sell the same 3mm driver on its own for £11.95

Maybe a listing mistake because Swiss tool prices often don't make sense but a single screwdriver for GBP 117 is still unheard of. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well, here are my screwdrivers.  The first picture is a Bergeon set my Dad gave me about 50 yrs ago.  The next set was in the watch bench I inherited.  The third set was partially inherited and supplemented with two new bergeon drivers.  The last pic shows large drivers (seldom used) which I inherited.  Most of these are Bergeon and I am quite fond of them.  The others are not, but still old and quite good.

I do not understand the color codes, so have printed one for the second set below, so that I can put them in order after I have completed a job.  The first set remains in the box...archived as it were...cherished.

First set.png

wroking set 1.png

working set 2.png

something big.png

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi.

I have found some excellent quality screwdrivers at a very good price, extreamly well made and with blades so we'll ground at the factory they were all usable from the packet.

All sizes are priced at £2.50 each, sizes from 0.5mm to 3mm.

Have a look at these.

https://www.cousinsuk.com/product/cousins-swiss-style-stainless-steel

 

Paul

 

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sorry, missed that post so didn't know the Cousins ones were made by A*F. That would explain why they are so good and at a fraction the price A*F are asking for theirs.

Another good set that cost even less are these Chinese ones of EvilBay

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/283869388844

The Tips do need honing to the correct shape as they are quite poorly ground in the factory but once fettled they turned out to be a very good well made beginners set of drivers.

Edited by Paul80
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.

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

    • Getting back to the issue which is us guys repairing or just enjoying horological exploits. The big worry now is how sound is Cousins as company going forward. The of cost if this 8 year legal battle will be astronomical. Cut backs will happen noticed already how the Cousins catalogue is half its size this year. The main supplier going out of business will hit the UK horological community in a big way.    On the Brexit issue it was about a sovereign country being able to make its own laws and trade with any country in the world. I cannot see what was wrong with this. For those who wish to re join the cost would be very high indeed.
    • Yes, it's the same (old) song and it's getting worse & worse;  
    • 🤔 leaving the EU meant that UK was no longer part of the convention and have already been turned down an independent reapplication. I'm pretty sure courts have to be held in Switzerland in this case. There will be a lot more watches stashed away in draws  tbh, folk wont be able to afford to maintain them. Cheap watches will be bought and top end watches by folk with plenty of cash that can pay for service and repair. The expensive once in a lifetime gifts and everything else inbetween will be at the forgotton when they stop working. I know i was being a numpty, get used to it 😄 Anybody that knows will boycott them, but besides repairers who will know. Nope will never buy one, i made that decision as soon as i learnt about this. 
    • although not in this case.  It was the Lugano Convention and its deficiencies that allowed a Swiss court decision in the first place.  This isnt really a Brexit issue at all.  A decision that affects both the EU and the UK should never have been heard in Switzerland. I bet the authorised service centres in the UK are pretty pleased.  It's a massive shame, though; I believe watch owners should be able to choose to have their watch serviced by whoever they trust.
    • Hi guys I think that old hippy is correct, it opens the gates for china to manufacture aftermarket spare parts. considering that they already do work on behalf of the Swiss I guess this decision gives the a little more legitimacy to tool up and I am sure they will take advantage of the situation either with or without the blessing of the Swiss watch industry  Having read about the protectionist machinations of the Swiss in the history of Europe they were the only ones to get fat at everybody else’s expense. I think the outcome could have been guessed at but ,  fair play to Cousins UK for standing up to them.  Now the question,  will everybody boycott Swiss watches and Swatch, no way they will still fill their coffers.  Me I stick with the Japanese once renowned for cheap shitty watches who came good through industrial effort and don’t for get the Russians that most dismiss as low grade crap. Wouldn’t buy a swatch product ever how about you all.? a
×
×
  • Create New...