Westlake Publishing Forums

General Category => Tips, Tricks, Techniques & Tools => Topic started by: Ray Dunakin on May 24, 2010, 10:51:35 PM

Title: Disassembling a watch?
Post by: Ray Dunakin on May 24, 2010, 10:51:35 PM
Ken mentioned using a watch gear on his lumber stacker. I have a couple old watches I've been saving as a source for gears and such, but one thing I'm not too clear on is how to get it apart without wrecking the delicate parts. (I'm not talking about opening the case, I know how to do that.) I just need some advice on how to remove the gears and other tiny bits.

Title: Re: Disassembling a watch?
Post by: eTraxx on May 25, 2010, 03:30:52 AM
This may help ..

http://catpad.net/a4ria/Watch.png
Title: Re: Disassembling a watch?
Post by: DaKra on May 25, 2010, 05:51:33 AM
You need a set of watchmaker's screwdrivers.  Then wherever you see a screw, just unscrew it.   Its a lot easier than reassembling a watch.    I've taken apart a lot of watches and clocks, never did get one back together.

If you need something that looks like Victorian cast iron a watch part might not cut it.   In that case, I sell an assortment of laser cut ones like these.

(https://www.finescalerr.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.vectorcut.com%2Fimages%2FGearAssortmentSmall4.jpg&hash=1ca912cafb63b702c94fb7279c8d086263dba787)

Dave 


   
Title: Re: Disassembling a watch?
Post by: lab-dad on May 25, 2010, 06:07:00 AM
Dave those are bitchin!
How can I get a set?
-Marty
Title: Re: Disassembling a watch?
Post by: jacq01 on May 25, 2010, 08:52:27 AM

    I follow Marty in his request.
    How can I get a set ?

    Jacq
Title: Re: Disassembling a watch?
Post by: Chuck Doan on May 25, 2010, 11:24:33 AM
I just use a tiny screwdriver.
Title: Re: Disassembling a watch?
Post by: marc_reusser on May 25, 2010, 01:05:35 PM
Quote from: lab-dad on May 25, 2010, 06:07:00 AM
Dave those are bitchin!
How can I get a set?
-Marty


I already got a set  :P :P ;D

They are quite cool....not only for use as gears and clutter, but I also plan to try using some of them as wheel centers for things like dollys and carts. If you made (or if the mfr made) a rim to add to both sides of them, you could also create some great looking wire and chain sheaves.

Marc
Title: Re: Disassembling a watch?
Post by: DaKra on May 25, 2010, 02:26:05 PM
Really didn't mean to hijack the thread, and hope this isn't too commercial a post, but in reply to the inquires, the gears/handwheels are available on my website, vectorcut.com here:   

http://www.vectorcut.com/accessories.htm

Marc, cool idea about the chain sheaves.  I'll probably draw up another set of cast iron scrap stuff, will include that with it. 

Dave   

Title: Re: Disassembling a watch?
Post by: danpickard on May 25, 2010, 02:27:34 PM
Dave,
Saw your new gear sets the other day and also intend on ordering some...once that Aussie dollar improves a bit again! Some very creative laser work on your behalf, so good stuff.  I particularly like the etched work you have used to get the relief into the gears.  

Cheers,
Dan
Title: Re: Disassembling a watch?
Post by: Frederic Testard on May 25, 2010, 03:39:51 PM
Your accessories page is beautiful, Dave. I've been spending a lot recently, but as soon as cash is flowing again, I'll have to pass an order too.
Title: Re: Disassembling a watch?
Post by: eTraxx on May 25, 2010, 04:10:51 PM
Ha. Same as Frederic. Payday I'm dropping an order.
Title: Re: Disassembling a watch?
Post by: John McGuyer on May 26, 2010, 09:48:14 AM
Chainsaw! That will get it apart.

John
Title: Re: Disassembling a watch?
Post by: finescalerr on May 26, 2010, 01:24:59 PM
McGuyer -- go stand in the corner!

Dave, you can post "commercial" info like that ANYTIME! Great stuff and you apparently have found an eager market for your work.

Russ
Title: Re: Disassembling a watch?
Post by: lab-dad on May 27, 2010, 06:15:52 AM
neener, neener, neener
I got mine ordered last night!
Also did you guys see the nuts, bolts, washers?
I got a set of the .5 & 1mm ones.
Looking forward to trying them out.

Dave any plans to do manhole covers in O scale?
Someday I want to do a city scene along a dock.....

-Marty
Title: Re: Disassembling a watch?
Post by: DaKra on May 27, 2010, 04:06:17 PM
Thanks guys, I found a niche here.  :)

Marty, thanks, parcel goes out tomorrow AM.   On the O scale manhole covers, I'll probably do them and a couple of other O scale items.

Back to the subject of opening old watches, I seem to recall Timex wind up watches being riveted and the only way to get the gears out is to pry the watch movement apart with a screwdriver.   Disposables, as watches go.   

Dave   
Title: Re: Disassembling a watch?
Post by: chester on May 27, 2010, 07:15:30 PM
Great stuff Dave, I too am very interested.
To get parts out that are riveted, drill out the center of the rivet.
Title: Re: Disassembling a watch?
Post by: eTraxx on May 27, 2010, 08:08:52 PM
From reading this thread .. I caught myself eyeing the $12 pocket watches at Walmart :)
Title: Re: Disassembling a watch?
Post by: Philip Smith on June 07, 2010, 05:14:36 PM
The vector cut sets are great. Pictures just don't do the product any justice. Save your Walmart money and purchase a set or two from Dave. Heres the loot with a 1/48th sickle.

 
Title: Re: Disassembling a watch?
Post by: DaKra on June 08, 2010, 05:43:55 AM
Thank you Philip, its a pleasure to hear back from a happy customer, and to see post office didn't mangle your parcel.  ;D   

Dave
Title: Re: Disassembling a watch?
Post by: lab-dad on June 08, 2010, 06:37:08 AM
Sorry, I forgot to post my praise too.
They are awesome! ;D
I am looking forward to painting them.

When I got the set of nuts/bolts they came with wrenches.
I showed them to my wife and she commented on the wrenches.
I told her "I have to tighten them somehow!"

-Marty
Title: Re: Disassembling a watch?
Post by: Frederic Testard on June 08, 2010, 10:35:12 AM
These are great parts, Dave. You're bringing to the market very unusual and beautiful products.
Title: Re: Disassembling a watch?
Post by: DaKra on June 09, 2010, 05:07:40 AM
Quote from: lab-dad on June 08, 2010, 06:37:08 AM
I told her "I have to tighten them somehow!"

-Marty

Naturally  ;D  I included the wrenches just as a visual gag, was surprised to see Marc's rendition painted so realistically and filling out a grungy tool box.  I will have a tool set out soon.   Thanks again for the feedback and ideas.

Dave   

Title: Re: Disassembling a watch?
Post by: lab-dad on June 09, 2010, 07:45:25 AM
Please let us know when the wrenches are available.
-Mj
Title: Re: Disassembling a watch?
Post by: Philip Smith on June 09, 2010, 09:37:44 AM
Quote from: DaKra on June 09, 2010, 05:07:40 AM
Quote from: lab-dad on June 08, 2010, 06:37:08 AM
I told her "I have to tighten them somehow!"

-Marty

Naturally  ;D  I included the wrenches just as a visual gag, was surprised to see Marc's rendition painted so realistically and filling out a grungy tool box.  I will have a tool set out soon.   Thanks again for the feedback and ideas.

Dave   



What scales Dave? I request a 1/48th set.....

Philip
Title: Re: Disassembling a watch?
Post by: eTraxx on June 13, 2010, 07:25:23 AM
Got my delivery from Vector Cut .. both sizes of the nut, bolts and washers (and wrenches!), the gears and handwheels .. remarkably excellent :) .. and the O scale manhole covers .. that I went .. "huh" .. checked and sure enough I order O instead of HO. Fine with me .. suppose I will model an O scale scene. Excellent work as everyone else has said.
Title: Re: Disassembling a watch?
Post by: DaKra on June 14, 2010, 05:15:50 PM
OK I'm on a roll  ;D  This set will work in 1/48 to 1/35.  I have a smaller one available for 1/87 to 1/48.

(https://www.finescalerr.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.vectorcut.com%2Fimages%2Ftools01.jpg&hash=c1764ece3b301a2e81a145c64f8f0f7146eae62c)
Title: Re: Disassembling a watch?
Post by: eTraxx on June 14, 2010, 05:26:28 PM
Excellent! One point .. wrenches come in sizes all the way down to .. think the technical term is "teensy" .. so the guys modeling in 1:48 and 1:35 could use the small set also.
Title: Re: Disassembling a watch?
Post by: Malachi Constant on June 14, 2010, 06:32:20 PM
Dang it man!   >:( :( :o 8) ;D

Already have a bunch of your gears and gizmos on the shopping list ... then you go and make these and include reference photos with the appropriate figures ...

So, check your mail for an order for both sets (think both will actually work quite well in the 1/35 garage) ... I've got the peg-board ready ...

And then I'll have to come back for gears and gizmos and stuff ... think your letter sets will work quite nicely for some signs planned for the exterior of the building ... keep up the great work!

Cheers,
Dallas
Title: Re: Disassembling a watch?
Post by: finescalerr on June 15, 2010, 01:12:34 AM
More laser artistry! Does ANYBODY do better work? -- Russ
Title: Re: Disassembling a watch?
Post by: danpickard on June 15, 2010, 02:09:20 AM
Dave,
Now they do look great.  I really like the half etched work you're doing with things like the spanners and wrenches.  A few more things to add to my growing shopping list of your fine products.  Good to see a manufacturer really listening to what the demands of the modellers is.  Well done.

Cheers,
Dan
Title: Re: Disassembling a watch?
Post by: Younger on June 15, 2010, 07:21:39 AM
When will the wrenches be available on your website for ordering?
-Younger
Title: Re: Disassembling a watch?
Post by: Malachi Constant on June 15, 2010, 07:03:27 PM
Both sizes of the wrench/tool sets are listed on the web site ... ordered some that way last night:

http://www.vectorcut.com/accessoriesO.htm

Cheers,
Dallas
Title: Re: Disassembling a watch?
Post by: finescalerr on June 16, 2010, 01:00:38 AM
If any of you other characters is offering items as superior as DaKra and Professor Hamilton, please let us know about them. This forum isn't an advertising vehicle but, at the same time, if something is worth buying and not well advertised, we should know about it. -- Russ
Title: Re: Disassembling a watch?
Post by: jacq01 on June 16, 2010, 03:52:26 AM

  Dave,

  the nbw and gear sheets arived in good order and already used with good results.
  Ordered the hand tools, they arrived just at the right moment.

  jacq
Title: Re: Disassembling a watch?
Post by: Younger on June 16, 2010, 06:36:13 AM
Got them ordered, thanks!
-Younger
Title: Re: Disassembling a watch?
Post by: danpickard on June 22, 2010, 06:38:42 PM
Dave...you're insane!!!

My little parcel arrived today all in good shape.

I thought I might pull out the optivisor just to check the detail, and am suitably impressed that you have been able to half etch the tool names into the recessed pit in the handles of things like the wrenches and spanners.  The fact that the whole handle is only about 0.5mm wide, to the have the accuracy to cut a groove into the middle of that, and then still leave text markings is...insane :o :o :o 

Hats off to you mate for some incredible laser work.  Hardest part will be deciding where to leave a micro set of pliers laying on a scene for a viewer to find ;D

Superb product, well done.

Cheers,
Dan
Title: Re: Disassembling a watch?
Post by: DaKra on June 23, 2010, 07:18:51 AM
Thanks ... I guess.  :D

I'm glad you scrutinized and got a kick out of what you found.  I wish I could take credit for the little details but, honestly, the tool does that.   I just follow the directions in the instruction manual.  (It can actually go a little finer ... but I optimize for production work.)

Here's a guy who works in 1/1000 scale, makes my stuff look big.   Sanity... its relative.

(https://www.finescalerr.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.steelnavy.com%2FImages2%2F2009March%2FSussex02.jpg&hash=7f8fb1e016d52a8bb7810c657b202977c3d1bc63)