L-G 'Openall' caseback opener... anyone tried this thing?

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14th April 2019, 20:58
john_coburg

L-G 'Openall' caseback opener... anyone tried this thing?

I recently aquired this thing from Cousins as a 'cheap' way to open the casebacks of Rolex wristwatches... has anyone else tried using it? I may well be completely stupid, but i can't find a way of wedging my case in the 'holder' (such as it is) firmly and completely level. or indeed even loosely at even a roughly even level. they sell a 'case holder' separately but Cousins don't supply it, so i get the feeling it's not required... so what am i missing?
i imagine i need to have the thing at exactly 180˚, otherwise the teeth on the die won't engage with the grooves on the caseback, and i'll be in whole heap of mess. and i have no idea how to acheive that with the holder that's supplied.
the video on esslinger shows the separate 'case holder' that would appear to do the job, but surely it's possible without that...? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGyJYis7sw0
thoughts/ideas?

https://live.staticflickr.com/7860/4...ba77bd2e_o.jpg
14th April 2019, 21:27
ben4watches

I dont want to sound condescending but of course you need the case holder, without it you will be in all sorts of trouble.

Also, why do you want to open up your Rolex?
14th April 2019, 21:41
john_coburg

Quote:

Originally Posted by ben4watches

I dont want to sound condescending but of course you need the case holder, without it you will be in all sorts of trouble.

Also, why do you want to open up your Rolex?

but what's the case holder that comes with it for?
and good question.. i have a 1601 with a poorly-erased engraving on the back, which i'd like to swap out for a 'clean' one. i also rather fancy swapping out a few for sapphire casebacks.
14th April 2019, 22:07
PickleB

I would have thought that you need to rotate the watch 90° from where it is in your picture...such that the raised lugs on the holder are between those on the watch. Apparently you should be using a cloth to protect the watch...see pdf instructions.

Edit That works for this guy:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6heX3yLcp8o
14th April 2019, 22:19
john_coburg

Quote:

Originally Posted by PickleB

I would have thought that you need to rotate the watch 90° from where it is in your picture...such that the raised lugs on the holder are between those on the watch. Apparently you should be using a cloth to protect the watch...see pdf instructions.

thank you - i tried that, but it was even less sturdy. it just kept popping out. perhaps the shaft should be lowered to hold it in place.. will have another fiddle. the separate caseback holder looks to be the real solution..but can't find it anywhere.
14th April 2019, 22:20
PickleB

Quote:

Originally Posted by john_coburg

thank you - i tried that, but it was even less sturdy. it just kept popping out. perhaps the shaft should be lowered to hold it in place.. will have another fiddle. the separate caseback holder looks to be the real solution..but can't find it anywhere.

Have a look at the video in my edit?
14th April 2019, 22:21
john_coburg

Quote:

Originally Posted by PickleB

Edit That works for this guy:

Hmmm, that is interesting. will fiddle tomorrow. thank you.
14th April 2019, 22:21
ben4watches

Quote:

Originally Posted by PickleB

I would have thought that you need to rotate the watch 90° from where it is in your picture...such that the raised lugs on the holder are between those on the watch. Apparently you should be using a cloth to protect the watch...see pdf instructions.

Edit That works for this guy:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6heX3yLcp8o
15th April 2019, 22:43
john_coburg

Quote:

Originally Posted by PickleB

That works for this guy:

That was just the ticket! Off it comes. Nice and easy. Thank you for the video.
So two questions emerge:
i) how do i avoid the dreaded 'cross threading' when screwing it back on?
ii) if i can't get the gasket back on without it spilling outside the case, i presume that means it's a gonner? is there any other way of telling? and how on earth do i work out what type i need? plenty to choose from here... https://www.cousinsuk.com/product/ca...iss?code=R9670

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...f466bca9_o.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...82814067_o.jpg
15th April 2019, 23:13
PickleB

I can only help you with the first of your two questions. To avoid cross-threading, start off by hand and turn the back the wrong way. As it goes around you should feel it going slightly wonky and then click (sort of) back level. That 'click' is when the starts of the threads pass each other. Go around again to check. Then, just after the 'click' (maybe clunk) swap the direction of turn and the threads should engage nicely. Continue turning by hand to check that there is no undue resistance. Having done it the first time, take it off again and have another go before turning it down as far as you can by hand, fingers and pressure from your palm etc before using the tool to tighten it up.
16th April 2019, 08:23
john_coburg

That's really helpful. Thank you.

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk
16th April 2019, 09:37
Christian

I’m seeing a lot of unnecessary metal touching metal in this thread.:cower:
16th April 2019, 10:05
IAmATeaf

For the gasket lube it so that it doesn’t catch, deform or even get shredded as you tighten down. Also with me not being an expert I always mark where the case back was before opening, that way I can achieve the same tightness? Having said this I’ve only ever done this to some of my cheap Seiko watches.
16th April 2019, 10:30
JohnnyE

I use a grease pad to lube the gasket before putting it all back together.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Grease-pa...wAAOSw8PJb-XWq

Helps it slip in better as you put that caseback on, preventing snagging. Be careful though... you could leave a greasy mess if you don't take it easy.
16th April 2019, 10:52
PickleB

Quote:

Originally Posted by john_coburg

...questions emerge:
...
ii) if i can't get the gasket back on without it spilling outside the case, i presume that means it's a gonner? is there any other way of telling? and how on earth do i work out what type i need? plenty to choose from here... https://www.cousinsuk.com/product/ca...iss?code=R9670

Have you downloaded the pdf (link) from that Cousins page? It matches Rolex case numbers (link) with the Rolex part numbers quoted against the generic gaskets that they are selling.
16th April 2019, 12:46
Kingstepper

Quote:

Originally Posted by IAmATeaf

For the gasket lube it so that it doesn’t catch, deform or even get shredded as you tighten down. Also with me not being an expert I always mark where the case back was before opening, that way I can achieve the same tightness? Having said this I’ve only ever done this to some of my cheap Seiko watches.

That’s relying on identical gaskets (aged even), not sure if always the case.
16th April 2019, 16:44
IAmATeaf

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kingstepper

That’s relying on identical gaskets (aged even), not sure if always the case.

Yes I realise that but for a non pro like me it’s indication of how things are going, although it does have its flaws ie I could be an entire revolution out [emoji3]
19th April 2019, 11:15
john_coburg

Quote:

Originally Posted by PickleB

I can only help you with the first of your two questions. To avoid cross-threading, start off by hand and turn the back the wrong way. As it goes around you should feel it going slightly wonky and then click (sort of) back level. That 'click' is when the starts of the threads pass each other. Go around again to check. Then, just after the 'click' (maybe clunk) swap the direction of turn and the threads should engage nicely. Continue turning by hand to check that there is no undue resistance. Having done it the first time, take it off again and have another go before turning it down as far as you can by hand, fingers and pressure from your palm etc before using the tool to tighten it up.

this is really helpful, thank you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christian

I’m seeing a lot of unnecessary metal touching metal in this thread.:cower:

i know precisely what you mean, and it always worries me too. but what are the alternatives? if the caseback needs to come off, it needs to come off!

Quote:

Originally Posted by IAmATeaf

For the gasket lube it so that it doesn’t catch, deform or even get shredded as you tighten down. Also with me not being an expert I always mark where the case back was before opening, that way I can achieve the same tightness? Having said this I’ve only ever done this to some of my cheap Seiko watches.

this is a good point: how to know how far to tighten? your suggestion to tighten as much as it was previously is probably a good starting point, but how is one meant to gauge precisely how tight it should be?

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnyE

I use a grease pad to lube the gasket before putting it all back together.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Grease-pa...wAAOSw8PJb-XWq

Helps it slip in better as you put that caseback on, preventing snagging. Be careful though... you could leave a greasy mess if you don't take it easy.

that's an extremeley good shout, thank you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PickleB

Have you downloaded the pdf (link) from that Cousins page? It matches Rolex case numbers (link) with the Rolex part numbers quoted against the generic gaskets that they are selling.

no - but i certainly have now! thank you for pointing out this is extremely handy guide... (i'd love to see the rest of this book)
....although the ref 6564 i am working on here isn't listed, which is a bit irritating. i guess i could gamble on it being a 29-292-76 which seem to fit the typical 1500, 5500, 1004, 6694-type 34mm cases, and hope for the best.
thank you vm in any case.