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Old 15 September 2020, 06:50 PM   #1
clayjame
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Knurled pin broke in link

Hi All,

I am new to this forums and wanted to check if someone had this problem before.

I am refurbishing a Jubilee bracelet and one of the knurled pins broke in the side of the link. I have tried to drill it out but no success.

Did anyone encountered this before and how did you solve it?

Thank you in advance for your help.
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Old 15 September 2020, 06:54 PM   #2
padi56
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Moved thread to watch tech and added a E to broke.
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Old 15 September 2020, 06:54 PM   #3
Andad
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Hi, do you have a pix of the issue?

I don’t think you can drill it out if it’s the serrated pin?

E broke the pin?
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Old 15 September 2020, 07:32 PM   #4
watchmaker
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I don't wish to sound unhelpful but if you are asking this question you probably shouldn't be attempting this.

That said..here goes.

Depending on how the pin has broken you could potentially drill it out.

Alternatively heat it until it is glowing hot. It should become incredibly brittle. Then break it with a tungsten punch.

You may find leaving it in an ultrasonic bath for a couple of hours can loosen it enough that you can work with it.
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Old 15 September 2020, 09:10 PM   #5
rolexalan
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When this happens i hold the end of the link in a custom made jig and mill the broken pin flush. Its pretty easy then to drill out the remainder of the pin with a suitable drill
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Old 15 September 2020, 09:27 PM   #6
77T
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Welcome to the forum. Because it is a knurled pin, drilling it out or shattering it, risks the chance of not being able to insert the new pin successfully.

For example, your newly drilled hole may be an uneven diameter or slightly larger, or worse, too shallow.

You might be better off buying a replacement link. If you were able to get new pins, that same supplier might be a good source. This way you know that refitting the pins will bite correctly while pressing them into the new link.


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Old 16 September 2020, 01:50 AM   #7
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You can drill a small hole on the opposite side, then use a rod to press out the knurled part.

You then need to weld up the hole and refinish the area.

Sometimes you can't do much and you have to find a donor link to cannibalize your needs from.
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Old 2 December 2020, 09:37 PM   #8
clayjame
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Issue Solved

I just took the advice to drill the other end of link and then push the broken link out. Thank you all for the advice.
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