Reply With QuoteIt looks like this AS1539/Wittnauer C11WS2, which I just overhauled, will work. And, it is the right size, etc. So, I can turn to the dial now.
Best wishes,
Bob
Thanks. *doffs cap* :)
Looks like I have a broken set lever on the smiths, so I'll have to find another candidate.
It looks like this AS1539/Wittnauer C11WS2, which I just overhauled, will work. And, it is the right size, etc. So, I can turn to the dial now.
Best wishes,
Bob
Last edited by rfrazier; 9th November 2014 at 03:14.
For the moment, I'm back to the O613. The other movements have gone to Hell in a handbag, although I'm hoping to resurrect one. Also, I've not been able to do much more than described here because I've been ill, and have had to save my energy for work.
In any case, here is how I make the physical dial. The tricky bit is to get the dial feet in the correct location. I've not measured how accurate one has to be, but it looks on the order of .05-.1mm.
The first thing to do is make a template of the dial, with the center hold and dial feet in the correct position. So, I start by taking a picture of the movement. It is important that the movement be on the same plane as the lens. Also, that there be as little perspective distortion as possible. So, I use the copy stand, and get the camera as far away from the movement as possible.
After the picture is taken, it needs to be scaled. The best way I've found is to use an altered circle cutter. Standard calipers don't work as well as their pointy bits are at an angle. I put the pointy ends of this in the holes for the dial feet, and measure the distance between them.
After the picture is scaled and printed, I put it on a bit of scrape metal (an unusable printing cliche, in this case).
Using a scribe, I mark the scrapmetal by passing the tip of the scribe through the appropriate places in the picture of the movement. Finally, using a fine drill bit, and an Archimedean hand drill, I drill holes in the template.
It sounds a lot of work, but the advantage is that once the template is good to go, it becomes easy to make additional dials for that calibre. (Either for different tokens of the movement -- or like ones -- or if I want to make another dial for this token.)
Now that I have the template for the center hole and dial feet, I superglue a bit of brass to a faced bit of aluminium which is in a three jaw chuck, and drill the center hole, and cut off the excess brass (given the diameter of the dial I want).
The brass (dial) is removed from the aluminium with a bit of heat. Then the bottom of the dial is adhered to the template, with the center hole lined up with the center hole on the template. The template is turned over, and the dial feet locations are marked through the hole in the template using a scribe.
The dial feet now have to be soldered (brazed) on to the dial. I take a bit of copper wire and made sure that it is the right diameter (.6mm for this, so I had to reduce it from .8). Then some silver solder paste is put where I marked the location for the dial feet, and the wire is clamped into place.
Apply some heat, and we have dial feet.
The dial is cooled, the feet cut off at about the right location (to be filed down a bit later), it is cleaned with soap, water and a toothbrush, then it is dried in sawdust.
Finally, I check the dial on the movement, and if it looks okay, file a slight "v" at 3.
Best wishes,
Bob
Last edited by rfrazier; 9th November 2014 at 03:15.
This is one of the most impressive posts I've ever read! Job well done!
I'm only posting to say I'm still readng this thread with interest and 'Keep going Bob'.
Top stuff, thanks.
God yes, its brilliant. I love the pictures.
+1Originally Posted by westy
/vince ..
I took a bit of time off from working on watches (for various reasons), but I'm about ready to start up again.
PS Indeed, I've just got done cleaning my work space, filling the oil cups, and tidying up my screwdrivers and tweezers. All set to go now.
Best wishes,
Bob
Last edited by rfrazier; 9th November 2014 at 03:15.
I can't believe I've only just found this thread - it's superb! I shall now follow it with interest.
Many thanks, Bob!
Cheers,
Guy :)
Do not know how you find the time Bob - but I am glad you do.... :D
When you look long into an abyss, the abyss looks long into you.........
Bob,
This is a fascinating thread, a real inspiration to people like myself who wonder how hard it is, and whether it would be possible to do something similar. Thanks for all the hard work, keep posting!
Jeff.
Any updates Bob?
Not at the moment. I had less time this summer than I expected for watch stuff, and spent most of it working on dials.
Best wishes,
Bob
A very interesting read, thanks for sharing your experiences... hope you get a chance to complete this project soon.
Best wishes from a fellow (though technically inferior) tinkerer. :wink:
Best of luck mate.....sounds like a really hard challeneg to take on....I wish I had the time and patience....
Bob,
I have really enjoyed reading this thread and admire the work you've done. I hope you are in good health and I look forward to any updates on this project.
Ben
Looks amazing. Great job
Without a shadow of a doubt the best post I have ever read on ANY watch forum, many thanks.
Dave
Wow Bob , what a read :shock: Hope the next stage of this project is published here soon , been on here quite a while and only just stumbled on your thread, glad I did though. :)
Ian.
Hey Bob,
Like other poster dudes before, I've just found this forum and your fine thread ;-)
Was going to do something like it myself but I now cede happily to the Master!
I got a bit distracted. Mostly by work and some family responsibilities, but also by wanting to learn how to do some photography, and sorting out some dial printing stuff and some tool stuff. However, term ends for me tomorrow. :)
Best wishes,
Bob
Looking forward to it Bob :)
When you look long into an abyss, the abyss looks long into you.........
:shock: Wheres the rest?? Amazing thread
It looks like I should move this close to the top of my priorities.
Best wishes,
Bob
Please - I have been on the edge of my seat for a while now. This is a superbly inspiring post by the way - I am trying to make my own dial and reassemble a watch myself now. Thank you.
Just a quick message to say I have read from the start this evening and I too am looking forward to the next stage.
Fascinating read.
This is very helpful and informative, and any further updates would be eagerly anticipated :)
..thanks for an amazing thread... looking forward to seeign where this ends up :)
Hi!
I am quiet impressed with the information that you guys are sharing through this thread. I am looking forward to more information through this forum. These information might be useful to me.
Superb
A very interesting thread
Have you not finished it yet?
A few times, sort of. The problem is that I kept changing my mind about the movement. So, I have to sort out a new one (i.e., get running), make a dial, etc. Then I got distracted.
Best wishes,
Bob
Great thread and superb pictures. I'd love to see the finished article.
Very informative, looking forward to the rest.
Not only a great thread, but a very long running one. Extremely interesting read and can't wait to see the final result.
Mark
As many people have said before, but what a great thread. Really informative for a noob like me. A bit scary if im honest thinking about all the tools I might need to buy! By the looks of it they could be more expensive than the watches!! :shock:
Leiper
This will be really interesting
Great Photos
A hugely informative and interesting thread Bob! Fantastic photos with easily digestable descriptions along the way. You really have quite a skill. 8)
I'm very much looking forward to seeing the project completed and will follow this thread closely. Good luck and keep at it! :)
Chris
Very informative, great pictures.
very intructive subject, i learnt a lot in here,
thankx for great pictures as well
Any updates on this? :D
Awesome thread and great work. No pics of finished article ? :)
really interesting. accidentally broke the hands ofF the tissot i was practicing on ! so here to learn
Kev
It takes a lot of time to make a watch.
Impressive tools and work.
We are waiting patiantly for the rest :-)
Nooooooooo!
Just found this and assumed I was going to see the story from beginning to end. What happened?!?
A truly amazing and informative read, really looking forward to the next installment.
I was hoping to see the end product. But anyway I'll be eagerly awaiting your final result!
This is definitely the best post I've seen.
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