Miniature Tools for Micro Machines...

[Lassen Forge]

Won a lot at an auction this weekend - had some watchmaking tools (including a full set of stakes and whatnot), a couple vintage watch timers from out of the 60's, and a desk drawer full of assorted "stuff" from this watchmaker's life. The last time I took a timepiece apart was as a kid, when I disassembled my mom's mantle clock and my one of my granddad's pocket watches.

I keep asking myself - "What the HELL did I judt get myself into??!!??"

3 questions -

1 - Any watchmakers out here? I mean all a watch is is a well tuned machine, right?
2 - Am I out of my flipping mind? It looks like fun... but am I just being deluded (or delusional)?
3 - If you are one, how did you get started, learn this stuff, and what advice can you give me?

Apparently - from the ebay auctions and other stuff - I kinda stole the stake set and watch timers... but again, I just don't know.

 

[MShaw]

I don't do watches but I have repaired clocks part time for 15 years. It made a good retirement income supplement. I read books and learned by doing.

Small, clean, light items to work on!!!!

At 75 I have just about stopped repairing other than for friends.

 

[Maui]

This will give you a good place to start:

http://www.awci.com/for-consumers/

Maui

 

[MShaw]

Also the National Assoc. Of Watch and Clock Collectors at http://www.nawcc.org/

They have a message board where you can ask questions and get good answers

 

[R.Anderson]

What no pictures?

Sounds like a fun hobby to start if ya had the time.

 

[matt stott]

There is a website, called timezone, that has an few online watch repair classes. There are three levels that get pretty in-depth on how to dis-assemble, clean, lubricate, re-assemble and properly time/ adjust a mechanical watch. They have suggested tool lists and kits you can buy watch parts through them, too (but you don't have to).

The courses are not free (something like $75 now) but I found them to be a good into into understanding how a watch works. The section on oiling/greasing watch pivots is worth it by itself. Best on-line training resource I have found so far.

disclaimer: I took those courses over a decade ago: I have not looked at them since and don't know if they have changed much.

Or you could get George Daniels book "Watchmaking" and learn from a master!


Matt

 

[gungatim]

I don't do watches but I have repaired clocks part time for 15 years. It made a good retirement income supplement. I read books and learned by doing.

Small, clean, light items to work on!!!!

At 75 I have just about stopped repairing other than for friends.

same here except never got paid for it. learned on clocks by reading and doing. brake a few cheap ones for practice. usually cleaning and proper lube goes a long way but have had to peen some bushing plates that were worn too.

for some reason I can't stop buying the keywind clocks. got about 15 working now and a few more waiting. hate when I see a nice mantle clock from depression era at a yard sale for $3...

I know this was about watches but similar I think. start with clocks, same principle, set the beat, etc. when you can fix bigger clocks then doing the miniature stuff should be easier. I learned a lot from this site:
http://mb.nawcc.org/forum.php

Also I lost the link but had a site from an old elmer that fixed clocks and downloaded his white papers. Labounty may have been one of them.

BTW, I've got a whatzit someone gave me that nobody could figure out what it was, i'll try to post a pic but I think it is as tool for removing watch face/backs.

 

[JonnyMac]

There are quite a few you tube vids showing a Rolex service centre taking them apart.... it takes dropping a screw to a whole new level of 'where the fk did that go'..