Getting ready to regulate my 3135!

[britincali]

If I could Id vote this best thread of 2011.



I love that your admitting and taking pics of screw ups, it makes it a ton more interesting than if you just lied and said everything went perfect lol.


And for the umpteenth time.... Right on!!!!

[swatty]

Dont stop now Chris

[LordNinja]

Thanks guys:) honestly I am going to have rikki fix the balance for me. He's been so kind and I know when to take 1 step back. I'm reading in prep to reattach and pallet jewels on that pocket watch so stay tuned for that.

[LordNinja]

FYI: I just scored a Rolex authentic regulating wrench from ebay.. It's the type that is not angled though.. but at least it's original. The kicker is I got it for 35 bucks with shipping included!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/260906979938...ht_3093wt_1770

I would not of known about it but my girlfriend kept looking for them after I went generic. They actually are seemingly rather rare, at least the rolex version. I wanted it for utility and just to start collecting authentic 'rolex' branded tools.

In other news, I will be sending my sub to Rikki to correct the hairspring, hopefully. I'll keep pressing on with the watch repair though. I've spent this time reading and taking apart cheaper movements, working on oiling skills and amounts.. etc etc. :)



RIkki, 'The Watch Repairer's Manual' is fantastic! The detail is exactly what I was looking for. I've just finished the chapter on oiling, amazing stuff. I noticed my screws were beat up and I was wondering why, by blades were getting destroyed over time.. I purchased them a while ago and one of my employees was using them for random office purposes! So anyway, I've ordered 3 sets of new blades for each of the 5.

I'll post my next adventure soon.. it will be readjusting pallet jewels in an old pocket watch. The roller jewel is still missing.. but I've since learned a few tricks to proceed.. I can test the escapement wheel's function at least without the roller.. Otherwise I can make a temporary one out of gold or some such... more to com.
Onward!

[Rikki]

One of the major things you need to know as a watchmaker is how to use a file and a sharpening stone. Before I work on any watch I check my screwdrivers and retool them to new condition. When working on ETA movements I champher the sides of the blade because the screws are v shaped tapered and if you don't you will chew up the screw hole on the plate not good and points will be deducted severely when you test. So buy a good 6" by 2 or 3" Arkansas stone and practice sharpening your old blades. That should keep you busy for a while have fun. Rikki

[LordNinja]

Looking at stones now, are the little screwdriver braces I see for sale worth getting for use during sharpening?

[Rikki]

I tend to find them cumbersome and just learned to do it freehand by feel,it's quicker for me but if you want to try it by all means. I also use a graver sharpner with a diamond lap and get a real nice finish. Rikki

[handsfull]

Originally Posted by Rikki

One of the major things you need to know as a watchmaker is how to use a file and a sharpening stone. Before I work on any watch I check my screwdrivers and retool them to new condition.

VERY TRUE. There's no quicker way to ruin your watch that wrecking screw heads (why my disgust with receiving a watch with bracelet screw heads mangled).

Chris, good work...it's fun to watch someone else's progress!

I've found that using a #8 round file with short strokes, you can add a 'hollow' grind to screwdriver heads for a precision fit. It's the same grind you'll see on Rolex's factory seadweller tool (that sizes the watchband), it greatly reduces the chances of damaging the screw head by allowing the entire tip of the driver to engage the screw. It's amazing how much time you spend on tools/tooling....I would guess for every hour of actual work I do on a watch, I spend 1-2 hours fixing/adjusting/cleaning/buying (LOL) tools.....

[Rikki]

What he said

[PaulSoebekti]

Chris: did the tiny screw land on your clothing (pants cuff, any soft objects, and NOT on the floor) - by chance?

Paul

[LordNinja]

Paul. I think that may be what happened. God knows where it got deposited in the end.

[LordNinja]

I've had members offer to send me watches they would not want to pay to have fixed/old junk watches to help me learn. I appreciate that. I'll be posted about those as I go.

:)

[britincali]

I just love seeing the insides :) Yes I know that sounds kinky......

[LordNinja]

Originally Posted by britincali

I just love seeing the insides :) Yes I know that sounds kinky......

Hah!

[wantonebad]

Truly great read all!! Awesome info here!

[316lad]

Originally Posted by LordNinja

I've had members offer to send me watches they would not want to pay to have fixed/old junk watches to help me learn. I appreciate that. I'll be posted about those as I go.

:)

We're all waiting to see what you do when the spring comes back form Rikki

Loving this thread. Someone said earlier that it should be Thread of 2011 - Got my vote.

The journey you've been on is amazing. A journey that, I'm sure, a lot of us would like to pursue too.

Keep going old mate. We want to see that watch perfect and you've got the right attitude, tools and tech know-how to pull it off.

All the best,

316lad.

[MoBe]

Originally Posted by britincali

I just love seeing the insides :) Yes I know that sounds kinky......

Considering your picture,not at all!

[britincali]

;)

[LordNinja]

Originally Posted by MoBe

Considering your picture,not at all!

Hahaha

[LordNinja]

I have a few members now sending me watches to help me learn, thanks guys. It's kinda amazing really. It's like your on this adventure with me. Some of these are being called scrap watches but if I get any running or fixed up I'll return them anyway:)

I must confess, felt a little silly after I messed up my Sub, but the support and the offering up of experimental watches absolutely renewed my resolve. Thank you guys:) I have drive but I stumble sometimes too. Amazing forum.



Also, Rikki: I will ship the sub tomorrow. I got sidetracked. The good news is I am halfway through 'The watch repairers manual' fantastic! I just finished the chapter on main spring repair. I found the chapter on casing very interesting.

[Rikki]

okey dokey be on the lookout Rikki

[LordNinja]

So I got stuck at a clients office after hours waiting for a 'PCI Compliance' all clear to come through.. I guessed it would take forever for them to scan the network so I brought along 'The watch repairers manual' I just finished it..

Granted tired from doing nothing but that for hours on end.. I now know everything I needed to know to finish that pocket watch!

Rikki, fantastic suggestion! I am going to get back ASAP and start calculating the roller jewel size I need relative to the pallet fork slot size.

I am also looking forward to getting my truing caliper & poising tools in order as well :D

I'm heading out but I wanted to drop you all a note and a very tired looking me having finished the book just now. (I was laying on the couch in the lobby while I read.. so I look out of it.. but hey.. tough job)

[KJM11379]

Been catching up on this whole thread today. Awesome stuff Chris, best of luck with this adventure.....

[LordNinja]

Thanks! I have some members watches in transit while my sub is in transit to Rikki.. hah. These are junk/practice watches they figure I can learn off of. I'll be posting pictures of that process for each one and when my roller jewel gets in I'll be repairing that pocket watch next.

[LordNinja]

OK Folks! I got what I needed to continue working on the pocket watch since the pallets need to be installed I'll do that first. The roller jewel is still not in.

Fun news: I got the first one of the watches from one of you members :) It's running so poorly my timer can't even get a beat rate calculated. I'll be trying to overhaul later tomorrow. For now here is a picture of it before I get started :)

Again, thanks much for contributing to my journey! (Again I am not really repairing these for job/payment these are junk watches that people figured I would have fun and learn on)

[wantonebad]

Originally Posted by LordNinja

Fun news: I got the first one of the watches from one of you members :) It's running so poorly my timer can't even get a beat rate calculated. I'll be trying to overhaul later tomorrow. For now here is a picture of it before I get started :)

Again, thanks much for contributing to my journey! (Again I am not really repairing these for job/payment these are junk watches that people figured I would have fun and learn on)

That's the old Japanese movement Invicta used to use. I've heard they're better these days, but this one looses like an hour a day or something. Been a few years since I wore it.

[LordNinja]

Originally Posted by wantonebad

That's the old Japanese movement Invicta used to use. I've heard they're better these days, but this one looses like an hour a day or something. Been a few years since I wore it.

I decided to take a look today, I am not a fan of these top plates coming in one massive section, I was hoping the auto rotor was a separate bridge/isolated. It was not. What is interested is they DO use ball barring as where rolex does not. I think it just needs to be cleaned, oiled and regulated.

Thanks again Check this out:

[LordNinja]

Another interesting thing was I could not get my case back remover in there without taking off that ring/cross section that dresses up the sapphire back. It unscrewed and once removed the case back opener slipped right on.

[wantonebad]

Wow, that is really cool Chris!
You really do work fast! That sucker was just in my hand yesterday, I'll never bad-mouth the USPS again LOL!

[LordNinja]

Dropped watch back into beat and adjusted spring length to slow it down some. It's now running +3 with 0.0 beat error. Before that I cleaned the movement and oiled it. New case back gasket, grease.

We will see how it holds up. I spent more time trying to make the plastic rings/movement spacer sit nice then actually regulating the watch