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Well, fella’s, I’ve pretty much pulled the trigger on a list of tools and necessary items from Uncle Larry’s. The truth is, had I done this all by myself, it most likely would’ve been a disaster with much money spent and lost. Of course, I have to give a huge thank you to Bob, without whom I could not form even one solid, rational question, and now can because of all the good work he did in those videos. Some time back, William helped me with the clock tool list. I really do not know what happened, but I think I just got turned around on a dime! I had originally thought I would be doing clocks first…until I watched those pocket watch vids. If I had to pick one specific point where it all came together and hit me, it was when most everything was put back together, and Bob gave that gorgeous Illinois Sangamo beauty a “little twist”, bringing that beautiful piece of miniature machinery alive with a rushing breath of life – and I was hooked!
Don’t worry William, I still have that clock tool list!!!
Quite frankly, I am astounded by the warm welcome you guys have all given me. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart
Well guys, here’s the LIST!!! I also included prices just FYI. All total, it came out to $630.00, which included a $41.41 shipping fee – and considering the size of the box that is coming all the way out to Hawaii, I’d say that’s pretty darn good! Here it is:
Revised Purchase List:
Mainspring letdown set of three double ended – $49
A quality case knife – $10
Lot of four Tweezers – $30
Mainspring winder with various size barrels – $99
Pocket watch cup holders to work on the watch, various – $10
Loupes – $10
Rodico, Pithwood Logs, Pegwood – $25
An electric demagnetizer – $69
Lot of three dip oilers, oil, mainspring lube – $30
A hand held blower (squeeze type) – $10
A watchmaker-grade aluminum and brass hammer – $15
Lot of two hand pullers, one can be used (carefully) for cannon pinion removal, or use tweezers; $38
Staking set #5295 – $69
Roller Remover – $39
Dapping Block (I just gotta have this) – $10
Donald Decarles – Watch repair, $19.
Waltham screwdrivers – $39
Sleeve wrench $19TOTAL: Larry, I have $590.00, plus shipping $41.61 = $631.61
Pending purchases, not stocked by Uncle Larry:
Henry Fried – Watch repair, no stock
Chicago School of Watch Making… no stock
xxxxx- A rubber case opener …no stock
Clock US, medium sized
Maybe a balance tack – Chris: I promise I’ll try to disconnect the hairspring before I pull the balance!!!I think if I do this right (which basically means I’ll be fairly comfortable and armed with the right tools), I can probably bring the grand total to somewhere around, but hopefully below $1,000 for this first trip out
I know, I know Chris…it’s like B.O.A.T = Bust out another thousand. I have a friend who owns a boat, and I’m just NOT EVEN kidding at all!!!Once again, thanks for everything guys. I’m still open to suggestions! Chris, I’ll probably wait on the jeweling device – until I get backed into a corner!
All the best,
Tim C
Well Fellas,
I think I rounded it out fairly well, with all your help. Here’s what I purchased this morning:
– Henry Fried’s Watchmaking Book (Thank you, William, I now have all three!) $34
– I bought a one gallon ultrasonic cleaner from Harbor Freight, knowing full-well that I’ll need to upgrade in the future. I need one now. $100
– I also bought 10 small baskets – thanks, Bernie. You know the ones, here: http://timesavers.com/i-8947477-1-1-2-small-parts-basket.html $40
– William, I also finally bought that rubber watch opener – a steal at $6 bucks
– I had to get these – three baby blue watch parts trays, all covered with that clear cake cover-looking thing $16
– I did not purchase a balance tack – I have something that can double, for now. I’ll hold off until I can try Chris’ method firstThese prices all include shipping to Hawaii. And guess what??? It came in under $1,000 bucks. I’m very, very pleased. This last order cost me just shy of $200 at $196.
And, I couldn’t have done it without you guys. I have enjoyed every minute, of every second of this part of the journey – Hey, pretty good, right? I just used time adjectives and didn’t even know it! You guys are all solid gold. I’m so excited about getting started, but right here, right now, I’m more excited about my stuff coming in – BECAUSE I LOVE GETTING PACKAGES IN THE MAIL!!! Haha.
Chat soon everyone, be well and I’ll see you around this great place.
Take care,
Tim
Hi Guys,
Hey Bernie: I just took my headband magnifier out for a spin – WOW, I had not really looked into all the features…but a little usage and ACTUALLY LOOKING AT THE BOX really did it for me!!!
And, I just received my first two watches in the mail today
Can anyone tell me – and, sorry, this may be just a bit off topic here, but I actually did see it with my visor, so here goes: I found many small engravings done by the previous owner(s) on the rear case cover (which reminds me – why did the watch company put a cover on a blank cover?)
…These engravings are very, very unique and a beautiful part of the pocket watch romance, so to speak. Some initials, and even the date 3/18/40. Does anyone know if it was a military/train conductor/wartime kind of thing, to put your own miniature engravings inside the rear cover?
Thanks guys.
Tim
Very good, Chris – now that I know about the engravings, I understand that “sw” means, “serviced watch”, with the corresponding date, and not someone else’s initials. Thanks for the information, and also for the hunter case configuration and the reasoning behind it. The amazing thing to me was how small the engravings were – unable to view with the naked eye! I’m sure you’re well aware
One thing I wondered on the watch with the hunter case was this: why isn’t the rear cover somehow secured? I was blown away that the outer hunter case AND the inner hinged case cover swung out, only to find the beautiful movement there in all its glory – and totally exposed to potential damage. I guess, when it comes to design, someone was doing something properly – it’s been around 90-100 years!
Best,
Tim
Hi Chris!
That’s correct, you hit the nail on the head on the hunter case. In this “case,” both the external rear case – and the internal one as well – were both “open” when I received it in the mail. As you indicated, each case cover does snap into place, and each have no problem doing so. However; there is a “pry point” at least on the external engraved hunter case – and, really, I have to thank William for suggesting that I purchase a “quality case knife – ” to avoid such terrible damage. Point taken, Sir, point very well taken…
One area of note: This watch isn’t broken just a little…as in maybe a bent minute hand or just in need of cleaning or adjustment – this watch won’t even wind. I’d say someone got their sticky little fingers in there and must’ve done something “not right,”, and that’s being nice.
As Bob has said; as doctor’s believe; and as quality watchmaker’s do every single day, “First, do no harm…” and that, I believe, should be our first priority.
Anyway Chris, I have to wonder whether the current non-running watch was damaged as a result of someone accidentally – or otherwise – gaining access to the rear of the watch by either doing one heck of a pry job, or as you alluded to, perhaps some young family members excitedly sticking things in the mechanism when they shouldn’t have…either way, this is a cautionary tale we all must learn from – and educate others. To me – it would certainly seem, and without exception – every watchmaker I’ve ever known or read about take great care in even touching a watch movement, and even the case. Guys, please don’t think I’m preaching to you here…think of it as a new guy’s “awakening” to a principle one just doesn’t ordinarily think of. Maybe I am preaching a little…to the choir
Taking a page from my fire service playbook, we now know that when there is a kitchen or bedroom fire, it’s too late to educate the occupant. We must do so NOW, and starting with everyone we speak with about watches in ANY WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM!!! Back to the fire example, if we can reach EVEN ONE occupant, to teach them how to cover a pan on fire, or to never burn candles unless it’s under very controlled circumstances – then that’s when we HAVE done our job. I believe this is what I will incorporate in my conversations with non-watchmakers from this point on. It must be done. And I will do it!
Chris, if I’m asking too many questions, please let me know! I am well aware of the time, effort, and energy that goes into helping a new guy out – in my case, a new fire recruit! But this isn’t your job at all…I could certainly do more research, and I don’t really know (at all) what your schedule, time demands, etc. are (or anyone’s on this forum, for that matter!) So, I’ll be fine if I’m asking too much of your time – especially with your excellent detailed responses!
Here’s a quick one – small dent in external and internal cases – I have a dapping block – remove, or leave as is?
I will add some photos tomorrow!
Best,
Tim
Hi Guys!
Well, a milestone has been met!
Uncle Larry’s package containing all the items herein (several posts up) related to my first set of watchmaking tools has arrived – and a whopping THREE DAYS EARLY!!! Thanks, Uncle Larry!
It’s true that I still needed a few other things that Larry’s couldn’t provide due to no stock – so I’m not quite ready to jump into this thing just yet…However; I should see the rest of my hoard come in sometime in the next week or so. I actually may start doing some of the work on my first couple of watches at some point prior to the entire delivery, but I want to have my cleaning stuff (read ultrasonic) in place so I can make sure it’s a relatively smooth process, and that parts aren’t just laying around doing nothing.
But, here’s something for you on a new front. I hemmed and hawed with this next one. Around about the time I completed my tool list, along with the final purchases, I started thinking about the actual environment of my watchmaking endeavor – where I would start; what I would be doing; how I would be doing it – and little by little – but blatantly so, and with increasing demand for attention was a place (and the manner) in which I would work. I thought about my body position, and the input I had seen from other guys who **immediately knew** – through their neck and back – that something had to change. A lowered chair or stool; an elevated table; a jeweler’s bench; a watchmaker’s bench; and so on.
I decided that this needed to be addressed BEFORE I started to even TOUCH one of my watches – and, I did. Here’s what I came up with as a solution:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/360804354832?_trksid=p2059210.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
Now, I’m sure many of you have seen this particular bench before. One of the high-end supply houses had one for $89.99 – and $51.00 in shipping…I just was NOT keen on spending another 2/3 of what I purchased a bench for in shipping costs, so I looked around a little more – and I’m glad I did! I felt someone could do better than $141.00. I was right. The link I chose on eBay was for the exact same bench for $111.40 DELIVERED, and also had a button for “Make Offer.” To make a long story short, I ended up making an offer of $104.60 – shipping included – and it was accepted! All for $35.00 in savings? You bet
I decided that, even though by now, I most definitely thought this purchase was more necessary than not, it also was one of my only “indulgences” – and, indulge I did. I’m glad I made this particular move. I can now put my tools somewhere safe, and get my chest off the edge of the dining room table with my butt is sticking out about three feet!
In a very real way, I feel like I sort of owe a debt to those men and women who have come before me, and that this endeavor is not one that I choose to do in an offhanded way. To that end, I felt this table top bench was one way to honor them while cutting myself a break. And, as I unwrapped the items Larry sent all the way from Canada, something interesting started happening inside me. All my tools are used, as I’m sure you all know Larry deals only on the secondary market, and there were some very interesting tools and sets that whispered to me from a very distant past. I am honored to have received such items of import.
It’s been a very rare feeling, indeed; one I’ve felt on only a few occasions in my entire life, and I feel so fortunate to have been one of the one’s who’s laid hands on some of these special tools that breathe new life into tired, old – yet cherished timepieces.
Best,
Tim
@maitai11 wrote:
Here’s a quick one – small dent in external and internal cases – I have a dapping block – remove, or leave as is?
Hey Tim,
It’s a personal choice, some people like to leave the dings as is, others like to remove them.
I go on a case by case basis,pun intended
when I see a case with a dent, it either suits the case or it doesn’t. That’s basically how I make my decision.Yes the desk is a good idea, again, to me, these are personal choices, it’s however you feel good and comfortable.
I understand that you would like to be as fully prepared as possible, but you will always need something, a tool, a jig, a part etc it ever ends, you may want to tune up your credit card because its gonna be busy 😆
When I started this gig it was because I am a collector, and I wanted to repair my own watches. If I would have paid a professional to do it, it would have made the cost of a tool set from Bergeon look cheap 😆
I started with a screwdriver set and tweezers, a couple of cans of zippo and some glass jars, (both of which i still use) which worked out fine until I started seeing other people’s work shops 😮 then it became desire which executed common sense with a clean shot to the neck 😆It’s like cleaning parts, my personal enjoyment is derived from spending countless hours cleaning with a toothpick and tiny paintbrush, because I love to see my reflection in the parts and to see them catch the light, sparkle if you will.
For me, auto cleaners/USC machines do not clean to my own personal standards, but that’s just me.Basically, just dive in with the tools you have and once your feet are in the mire, then you can formulate your own techniques, which are ultimately born from experience and practice, rather than recommendation.
Damn the torpedoes, full steam ahead
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