Tools ?

[tazio722]

Hello there i am getting my first tools together since signing up for the course …. i actually tie my own flies so fortualtly i already have some tools which hopefully will be suitable for watch repair …
various tweezers…
optivisor and a good light source..
However i know i need a good screwdriver set i am uk based so have been looking at the cousins site , there is a confusing aray on offer , i did see what looked like a nice set of A*F 9 piece on a RS base , i know beargeon is always recommended but these looked good at a competitive price , any imput most appreciated ?
Also are there any other tools that i need to purchase at this moment in time ?.
Many thanks James

[Bob Tascione]

Hi James,
I’ve heard mostly good reports about that screwdriver set. Especially for the price.
Also 5x, 7x and 10x loupes would be helpful if the budget allows. If budget is a bit tight then a 7x would be a good compliment to your visor for now. You may be able to get a combo lens setup that attaches to your visor. I don’t have one but I’ve used one before and liked it. It may have been molded as one complete unit. Not sure now that I think about it. If you wear glasses you can also look into the clip on ‘flip’ lenses.
Rodico is real handy to have too. Your fly tying tools should also prove useful for starting out. You can add a tool here and there as you go but for now you’re off to a good start for getting the feel of dismantling and rebuilding a movement. Other forum members will most likely add to the list of things that helped them when beginning.
Enjoy
Bob

[tazio722]

Thanks Bob i will go for that set .. and also the loops yes it would be nice if i could get a set which attaches to my Visor the lenses i have for the visor only go up to 3X so i guess judging by your advice that is not enough magnification !. Sorry what is a Rodico ?.
Many thanks James

[Bob Tascione]

Hi James,
You will probably use your 3x visor a lot when working with pocket watches. 3x is a handy power to have. I figured you wouldn’t need a 3x loupe just yet since you have a visor. The 3x that you have and a 7x will handle much of the work you’ll be doing while beginning with watch repair.
Rodico is a bluish green glob sorta like putty. It’s real handy to have around. You can see many of it’s uses by putting the word ‘Rodico’ into the forum search box.
Here’s a link to some at cousins:
https://www.cousinsuk.com/product/rodico

It’s like having a third hand around when dealing with small parts and also has many other functions.

Hope this helps James,
Bob

[stevefitzwater]

a good movement holder is a good investment also, I like the Bergeon holders, I have two of the regular and two of the large, I have both the composite and metal. The reason I like it best is you can work around the edge of the movement, and the holder does not tip, there are some that are meant to held in a vice or work surface, and if you use it on the work surface, it tends tip on two of the four sides.

I have one of the Bergeon Ary Loops, it clips on my glasses, strength is 3.5 and I love it, have never tried the visor. I also have a 10x for close up work.

Peg Wood is something else you need to keep on hand, you will use it all the time. Also some fine saw dust, you can find it in most Horological Supply Houses, you use this for drying your hairsprings after cleaning them. (Bobs course covers this)

Cleaners, stay away form water based, until you get a ultrasonic unit, you can use One Dip as a general cleaner, I found some “small glass containers” to keep One Dip in and some Naptha (lighter fluid). These are the two cleaners you will need to get started. Also you will need some parts baskets, you can purchase some or use a tea strainer (finest mesh possible) to place the parts in if you are using a larger container.

Hope this helps

[rodlloyd]

Beginners Clock Repair Tool Kit for about $60

Getting started in clock repair can be intimidating, especially when you consider the tools that many clock repair people have.

I have created a list of tools that a beginner can get by with and do a lot of the work we do.

I am sure everyone will want to add a bunch of items to this list. Fact is, 90% of what we do is done with 10% of our tools. The basic idea is this list is well thought out, inexpensive and will get someone started without breaking the bank.

The first set of tools most people will already have around the house.

Needle nose pliers
Small Square nose pliers with wire cutters
Screwdrivers medium 4mm tip [3/16″]
Screwdrivers small 3mm tip [1/8″]
Sandpaper fine 500, 1000, 2000 grit
Electric drill [to act as lathe]
Popsicle sticks
Tooth picks
Tweezers fine and stout
Hammer small
Pocket knife

The next set will likely need to be purchased from a specialty house like
Merrits [www.merritts.com] or Timesavers http://www.timesavers.com]
Cleaning solution $15
Clock oil [sewing machine oil] $ 4
Movement assemble posts 3 $15
Flat Mainspring clamp set of 2 $ 6
Lope 2x,4x &/or optivisor 2 ½ x $20
TOTAL $60

The third set will be needed if you want to “bush” a clock
Bushes 2 sizes $4 each [Bergeon #7 & #9] $ 8
Bush cutter [Bergeon #247] $20
Handle for cutters $12
Cutting Broach set .031″ – .090″ $14
Smoothing Broaches two .0314 & .0374 $ 7
TOTAL $61

Then we start getting into the more advanced and specialized tools that can be purchased one at a time as needed.

Rod Lloyd

[c.kelly]

Hi,
I started out with cheap screwdrivers from India and used Bergeron and AF replacement blades. Gradually I bought replacement Bergeron screwdrivers for the sizes I use most often. !.20mm down to a .50mm. I also started out with a cheap set of tweezers. I didn’t know what I was missing out on until I put a pair of #3 Dumonts in my hand. It’s hard to describe the difference but with the Dumonts you can feel whatever you pick up. Because of that you don’t squeeze too hard and launch the part into outer space. I myself would say get the best set of tweezers you can. I use mostly a Dumont #3 and two pair of #5s if I have to work on a hairspring.

[Author]

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