This is what has worked for me over the years:
- Screwdrivers of course : Was looking at Horotec and purchasing the 4 most used sizes. Buy the cheap $10 set on fleabay that comes with a base, then go to Esslinger and buy the Bergeon replacement SS blades...I have been doing this for years. If you get some drivers that are not drilled straight, just buy another $10 set until you get the handles you need.
- Tweezers: hands down...Dumont size 1 or 3C...nothing else comes close...don't waste your time...this is the single most item you will use the most
- Rodico.: must have
- Caseback Removal : Was thinking a ball type....not sure how well they work. sticky ball and Jax...worked for me on everything I have needed for years
- Hand remover / setter: I use Horotec clones...3 of them, die pushers set to hour, minute, second so I don't need to keep changing them out. I have an expensive Bergeon but never use it...just don't like it..as for hand removers, I like the levers and plastic sheet...gives me better control especially on polished dials...others like the kind that remove all hands at once. I think this is a matter of preference.
- Movement Holder: Bergeon clones work well, but the Bergeon is just made much better, but nothing wrong with clones to start with
- Ultrasonic Cleaner: started with a cheap $40 cleaner, now I have a better cleaner with heating element. the cheapo is use for rinse only...get fluids from Esslinger for best deal
- Some good oils: Moebius is top of the line, but I prefer Novastar. I get great performance from their oils at fraction of the cost of Moebius. You can use cheap oilers, but I have since moved to Bergeon which is by far better, but the cheapos will work for awhile.
- Loupe : I cannot use a loupe, I get bad eye fatigue...so I use a microscope
Pick up a Witschi timegrapher...see my signature how to interpret plots.
Pick up a dozen crappy Seiko movements from Ramon on fleabay (thewatchcollector) and learn how to tear apart and reassemble. you can get a dozen for ~$15...you can buy complete watches for the same price and learn how to do the complete watch....you will need a crystal press. I would suggest to stay away from the cheap presses...you can get decent ones from China on Ali Express, but they are pricey.
Get the cheap round hard plastic trays with covers for parts. Other types ok, but they collect microscopic debris easily...glass and stainless trays work well too (I have used old glass ashtrays as part trays as well)
get stainless steel tea infusers to use as parts cleaner holders...just take the tops off. I also dry parts after cleaning by hanging the parts cups over a small heater with a blower.
Be prepared to lose parts to the ether. jewel caps, keepers, springs, ect. I have a workspace that makes it easier to find lost.parts...you will just have to learn to get the right "touch" with the tweezers. That is why I recommend to start with Ramon's Seiko's...cheap and who cares if you lose parts. When you work on your first 7750 and a part flys off to the ether...well then, you have arrived after you buy another whole movement because you cannot source the part!
There is about 5 years worth of trial and error for you....
