What a clockmaker needs most?

[Scottie-TX]

MAN! That's easy. The most valuable tool a clockmaker/repairman/collector can have is a VERY comprehensive vocabulary for when things just don't go as we would prefer. This would not be a vocabulary you'd use anywhere away from the bench. Just a hobby here. I don't count beans. Win some lose some. I restore and repair clocks for both profit and loss. When it stops being a hobby - for me? - it stops being fun.
http://static.flickr.com/43/85504883_850db93ca3.jpg

[LaBounty]

Hi Kaimi-

I'm a professional and feel my lathe is my most valuable tool. When I restore a movement, about 80% of the process is done with it.

But then, I must include my wonderful spouse in the "What a clockmaker needs most" category! I wouldn't be a clockmaker without her.

[4piet1]

Hello Kaimi
I'm a professional and one thing is verry important
patience :smile:
greetings piet

[Scottie-TX]

People often comment; "My. You must have a lot of patience to do all that." I tell them; " You wouldn't think so if you were here while I'm doing this." Doctors have patients. I don't.

[Mike Phelan]

Originally posted by Kaimi:
Hello All,
Just taking a straw poll.Please state whether you are a clock repair professional or just a hobyist. I want to thank everyone in advance.

I am a 'hobyist' [sic]


The question is:

Q: What is the most valuable tool a clockmaker can own?
The answer is Time :smile:

[Scottie-TX]

How prolific MIKE. SHOOT! Why didn't I think of that? THYME!

[RL]

To me the most valuable tool would come as a group. It would be ones senses--especially those of sight, hearing and touch.
There is ,of course, some problems with these tools.

1. Ones experience gains with time (good)

2. Ones age gains with time and experience (fact of life wheather good or bad).

3. Most of the senses (especially hearing and sight, diminish as age and experience increases (not so good-- and one of life's dirty little tricks).

[tymfxr]

No specific tool but to be able to think 'out of the box'.
Scottie, you could put that picture of MM in the clocks you fix indicating the level of skill put into the repairs!
Mike C.

[Tom Kloss]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">But then, I must include my wonderful spouse in the "What a clockmaker needs most" category! I wouldn't be a clockmaker without her.


David
#115111, Life Member </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Dave:
I have to agree with you on that one

Tom

[clocker2]

The question is:

Q: What is the most valuable tool a clockmaker can own?

Kaimi, I feel the most important tool we can have is the attitude that "no matter how much we know, there is always room to learn more". Maintain an open mind and learn from everyone. These are words that I live by. :wink:

Jeff Major
Professional Clocksmith

[BIG D]

I agree with all before here.
Time, Patience, Good Thought process, Good Wife etc. But as far as equipment goes.... I would say the top ones I use most other than just "off the shelf" hand tools is.... Dial Caliper, Spring Winder, Lathe, and Bushing tool. (and my bushing equipment is not elaborate.) I do repairs for the public but on a part-time basis. Good question.

[harold bain]

The tool I use the most is the one between my ears. Couldn't work without it. The tool in my hand that probably gets the most use is my pocket knife. It is a Swiss army knife that was given to me 33 years ago.
Harold
The Pro

[ClockJim]

I call myself a collector more than a clockmaker. Though I do (and someday hope to actually know how) repair clocks, only for my own needs and collection. OK, perhaps a friend or two here and there.

I don't have a Swiss army knife... so my single most important tool is the common screwdriver.

But, were I to choose a single important quality in a clockmaker, I'll pick “pride in workmanship.”

[RJSoftware]

Mine has to be my magnifyer/visor.

I'm half blind without it. I even use it now to read the newspaper, perscription instructions, most any time I need to see better than regular (poor) vision.

The next tool after that would have to be my needle nose.

I wish I had a wife. Then she could oil all my tools for me.

[harold bain]

Hey, RJ. Put an ad in the classifides, "Wife wanted, must have clocks, please send picture of clocks". Might work :biggrin:
Harold

[mrb]

there have been blind watch and clockmakers

[Sooth]

I'm a hobbyist / collector. I'm thinking of starting repairs, but only repairs I feel comfortable doing. Probably mostly cleaning.

I am looking for a lathe, but I wouldn't say it would be my most important tool.

I think my most important tool is the Internet! Many of my questions are answered here, and innumerable sources for information, parts, and reference materials can only be found online.

I also use eBay a LOT. Many people have had bad experiences on eBay (myself included) but 95% of my purchases went well. The bulk of my collection was bought online, as well as some tools, and old original replacement parts.

[leeinv66]

Hi Kaimi, As to if I am a hobbyist/collector or a professional, I would say I am somewhere in between the two. Perhaps a proficient hobbyist/collector that does work that comes to me through word of mouth. I would say my screwdrivers are my most used tools. I use them for much more than just undoing screws. Some are used as oilers; some are used as punches, levers or scribes. I never throw away an old screwdriver, as I always seem to find a use for them.

Cheers
Peter

[TEACLOCKS]

I dont think to many of us could take apart and repair a clock with a screwdriver and a pair of pliers and Im sure there is alot more favorites. Tools are an extention of your own hands.

[shutterbug]

Tools are certainly important. But what we need most is business! :smile:

[neighmond]

An ounce of common sence, mixed with a pint of discression and some aged yankee ingenuity.

Mix well and apply liberally.

Chaz

[Mike Phelan]

Originally posted by Kaimi:
Thank you all for your input thus far. Seems the poll got off track for a short while though.

Maybe the question should be:

Q: If you could pick just one tool {Besides a screwdriver} what would it be? Please keep your answers short and to the point, and serious. I am doing some research. Thank you!
Seriously, you could not repair any clocks with just screwdrivers. There is no single tool, like a silver bullet. What point is the research trying to make? (I am genuinely interested, not being sarky :smile:)
My list would be:
Essential
Screwdrivers
Pliers
Knife
Glass dish
Brush for washing off
Pegwood and pith (not strictly a tool)
For cleaning a fine clock
Brush for metal polish
Brush for chalk
Finger cots
Blower
Useful
Broaches
Pin chucks
Pivot file
Needle files
Lathe
Jacot attachment for polishing pivots
Stake and punches
Mainspring winder
Oilers
Oil pots
Various abrasive stones
Things I do not need and never will do
Bushing tool
Ultrasonic cleaner
Ready made bushes
Dremel or similar.
Polishing broaches

HTH

[Scottie-TX]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">If you could pick just one tool </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Forgive me for paying attention or reading too closely but I believe the question was which ONE ( sing.) tool? I stick with "vocabulary". A close "second" would be "hammer" - a small one.

[Kevin W.]

I do it mostly for fun.I have a good wife, most valuable tool for me would be my optivisor and my lathe. :smile:

[TonyR]

Hi, guys,

Surely you're all missing the most vital resource of all -- you all, here in this forum. You have solved countless problems for me, couldn't tick-tock without you.

Regards,


TonyR.

[Lloyd Lehn]

My favorite tool.

We did this recently at a local HAV Guild meeting. We were asked to bring in the most important tool in our shop.

Here's my choice:

My set of drills - numbered, lettered and English in one box

Why?

I can usually do many jobs in number of ways except drilling holes. I need my drills to do that.

(I realize I could bore holes on one of my lathes but that is not a practical thing. Even then you would want to start with a pilot hole and use a drill.)

[Donald P Bellamy]

Thanks Phil, there are those of us that joined the NAWCC to learn and have a place to go with questions. We don't have to point fingers to know who con't to do this and is the one thing that will make myself for one leave the NAWCC! I know since I joined in 10/03 there are those fokes that use to help when you had a question and now don't get involved, for some time now its become a joke, just look at the post, alot wrote and nothing said.
Don

[shutterbug]

Maybe the "most important" tool is the one we don't have. I've got my eye on a good beat counter, and consider that more important (to me) than a spring winder. Of course, I've gotten by without either for a long time :0)