Watchmaking Tools Purchasing Guidance

[Coalbolt]

Hi all, I am looking to spend around $4500 USD to purchase another lathe, as the one I have now is incomplete/not worth hunting for parts. Have the intention of following George Daniels "Watchmaking" to finally attempt at building my own movement. I assume the bulk of parts can be made on a milling/gear cutting combo lathe? Have a jewelers workshop and millions of other tools, but nothing quite specific to horology. So would be interested in any insights into whether this is an adequate budget and/or some of the funds should go into other tooling that a lathe could not help with in movement making. At this stage im not going to worry about specific tools like a jacot tool, etc. This is a lot of money for a poor 24 year old student hahaha, so would appreciate any insights or directions to information.

Cheers,
Jack

 

[Bila]

Do a search of the Forum/Message board Jack, there is lots of info already spoken about on this subject, one just recently from memory.

 

[Coalbolt]

Do a search of the Forum/Message board Jack, there is lots of info already spoken about on this subject, one just recently from memory.

Thanks will do

 

[DeweyC]

Also, there have been a number of COMPLETE lathes on ebay from eastern europe lately. I would take a serious look at these.

 

[gmorse]

Hi Jack,

One aspect that will affect your choice will be whether the work you intend to do is more appropriate to a machine lathe such as Sherline or Cowells, or a traditional watchmaking collet lathe using gravers. Lathes that attempt to provide both routes are usually an uneasy compromise.

The only person I've met who's actually fully completed the Daniels project, (including fitting it with a coaxial escapement), used the former, starting with a Unimat if I recall, but he quickly added a BCA jig borer and an Aciera mill amongst other tooling. I would add that he's a toolmaker by profession although he came to horology with no previous background in it, purely through George's book.

Regards,

Graham

 

[Dr. Jon]

There are couple of YouTube channels showing the making of various watch components. Watching them might give you an insight as to what you need.

One is Steffen Pahlow who has made a lot of parts and another is "Clickspring".

Some parts such as pinions require special machines so a lot depends on what yuo are willing to buy.

I have limited experience but in spite of this I think the most difficult part once you ahve a design is to make the baseplate. Getting all the required holes in the right place is very challenging. There is a reason many start with an ebauche.

You may be able to avoid buying tools like a jig borer which is very useful for making the base plate by taking a machining course at a technical college. AN added benefit is tht yuo will get instruction and may be able to make some of the more difficult parts as a project.

Making the essential parts is a lot different for doing the adjustments to get them to play together. MOst of teh tools we have are for the second part.

 

[Coalbolt]

Thanks for all your feedback, if I could have it my way, ild travel back to the 18th century and raid a watchmakers workshop hahaha. Would be an absolute dream to work with traditional tools and methods. Surprisingly, I've been able to make new plates for a little travel clock with just calipers and a compass, anything's possible when your crazy haha. Would just be making a slightly oversized full plate English lever anyway, nothing crazy.
Thanks for the insights, Cheers, Jack.

 

[gmorse]

Hi Jack,

...travel back to the 18th century and raid a watchmakers workshop hahaha. Would be an absolute dream to work with traditional tools and methods.

If you want to get a better idea of this, acquire a set of turns and play with turning between dead centres, driven by a bow and using a graver.

Regards,

Graham

 

[Incroyable]

Hi Jack,

One aspect that will affect your choice will be whether the work you intend to do is more appropriate to a machine lathe such as Sherline or Cowells, or a traditional watchmaking collet lathe using gravers. Lathes that attempt to provide both routes are usually an uneasy compromise.

The only person I've met who's actually fully completed the Daniels project, (including fitting it with a coaxial escapement), used the former, starting with a Unimat if I recall, but he quickly added a BCA jig borer and an Aciera mill amongst other tooling. I would add that he's a toolmaker by profession although he came to horology with no previous background in it, purely through George's book.

Regards,

Graham

If I recall there was also a fellow who made a marine chronometer from scratch as a challenge from Daniels. He was also someone who didn't have a watchmaking background.

 

[sharukh]

If I recall there was also a fellow who made a marine chronometer from scratch as a challenge from Daniels. He was also someone who didn't have a watchmaking background.

You can read about it here

Interview: Michael Blayney, Chronometer Maker (And Neighbor Of George Daniels)

It started with a challenge by George Daniels, and the rest is history.

www.hodinkee.com

Sharukh

 

[gmorse]

Hi Jeffrey,

He was also someone who didn't have a watchmaking background.

But what he did have was the inestimable benefit of personal contact and mentoring from George himself, and later from Roger, privileges that few others have had.

Regards,

Graham

 

[Incroyable]

I wonder if there are any watchmakers today attempting to create a movement entirely using late 18th/early 19th century methods.

 

[Dr. Jon]

I know of a few. Roger Smith does a lot with traditional tools as does Pahlow who is also a tool collector.

Christian Kings

He is part of AHC

AHCI about us – AHCI

www.ahci.ch

 

[Incroyable]

I know of a few. Roger Smith does a lot with traditional tools as does Pahlow who is also a tool collector.

Christian Kings

He is part of AHC

AHCI about us – AHCI

www.ahci.ch

Speaking of Pahlow almost all of the high grade old English watches I've come across for sale originate in Germany.

There seem to be more English pocket chronometers in Germany than the U.K.

 

[Dr. Jon]

Typos alert, it is Christian Klings and he is very nice person