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What tools do you guys use for all your watch related DIY work?

Darthmemnoch

Renowned Member
10/9/07
648
17
18
I just ordered my set of tools from otto frei and can't wait to receive them. The plan is to learn how to service my unitas hand wind watches and basic eta clones.

This is what I ordered:
Quantity Name SKU Each Total
1 Optivisor & Opti-Loupe Kit With ETA 6497-1 KIT-3-ETA-6497-1 $396.45 $396.45
1 Blue ScrewBall Case Opener OFREI-BLUE-CASEBALL $9.95 $9.95
1 Bergeon #6 Presto Hand Remover White Handle FB-405 $39.20 $39.20
1 Bergeon #2 Presto Cannon Pinion & Pocket Watch Hand Remover Green Handle FB-401 $40.20 $40.20
1 Bergeon #1 Presto Hand Remover Black Handle FB-400 $40.20 $40.20
1 Bergeon 6938 Dial Protection BERG-6938 $1.38 $1.38
1 Bergeon Hand Setting Tool 7404-2 BERG-7404-2 $15.80 $15.80
1 First-Quality Spring Bar Tool FB-504 $24.95 $24.95
1 Screw-Type Link-Pin Remover FB-506 $15.95 $15.95
1 Horotec Inexpensive Bench Mat MSA 24.203 $11.80 $11.80
1 Set of Six Covered Compartmented Parts Trays FB-104 $9.95 $9.95
1 Gauge for Measuring Hand Hole Diameters FB-100 $42.50 $42.50
1 Crown, Stem, and Case Tube Gauge FB-115 $47.80 $47.80
Sub Total $696.13
Select Shipping Type: (EMS MAIL) Express Mail International Service $56.28
Tax Total $0.00
Total $752.41

Pics to follow when I receive the actual loot!
 

shandroid

Put Some Respect On My Name
13/9/10
3,555
34
0
Dude, you should have touched base with offshore!

Looks like quite the arsenal you have there!
 

Dr.Verylong

Legendary Member
Advisor
2/8/09
10,405
12
0
+1 for watchbitz

And JMBs hand setting tools here from the forum are best, forget Bergeon :)

And also you might have gotten this as a set for a lot cheaper + a training movement at ofrei
 

Darthmemnoch

Renowned Member
10/9/07
648
17
18
I bought the ofrei set with the training movement. To be honest, I'll probably leave that movement for one of my covered case back Pam projects. Will scout around for a cheapy asian movement in the forums for my practice.

I only saw watchblitz after making my purchase. Guess I'll have to stick to the bergeons for now. I'm interested in the watchblitz crystal press as it's an essential for my later projects.
 

offshore

Renowned Member
Gold Patron
17/3/06
777
1
0
Always worth having a price check before outlaying lots of $$!
For example, I have just purchased some new hand setters, which Ofrei are selling at $75.80.
http://www.ofrei.com/page_209.html

Well, these will be on the www.watchbitz.com.au web site, next week, selling to our retail clients at $24.50 and for RWI members, our price will be WELL under $20.00..in fact try $15.80!
783.jpg


Guys check your prices before you spend your hard earned $$...there is some serious price gouging around!
Offshore
 

Wiz

Mythical Poster
9/8/09
6,708
21
0
If you want to work on cases, a dremel and a set of jewler files are a must.

If you plan on working on the inside of the watch, you'll need tweezers. This is what you'll use the most. When you work inside a watch tweezers basically replace your hands. You also won't go anywhere without a set of good screwdrivers.

Others:

- Latex gloves or finger gloves,
- Soft brush,
- Leather buff,
- Movement holder,
-A good case opener (like the one Alan sells).

Followings are not requiered at first:

1 Blue ScrewBall Case Opener OFREI-BLUE-CASEBALL $9.95 $9.95
1 Bergeon #6 Presto Hand Remover White Handle FB-405 $39.20 $39.20
1 Bergeon #2 Presto Cannon Pinion & Pocket Watch Hand Remover Green Handle FB-401 $40.20 $40.20
1 Screw-Type Link-Pin Remover FB-506 $15.95 $15.95
1 Gauge for Measuring Hand Hole Diameters FB-100 $42.50 $42.50
1 Crown, Stem, and Case Tube Gauge FB-115 $47.80 $47.80

About the hands setter, I use the A*F set of 3. IMO the best value for money.
 

trailboss99

Head Honcho - Cat Herder
Staff member
Administrator
Certified
30/3/08
42,448
12,354
113
Yup, that multo prong is worth it's weight in gold! I use one a few dozen times a week here and it beats the crap out of the Jaxa style ones. They are by far the most popular style in Asia and several of our dealers even buy them from Watchbitz along with a lot of other tools.

You are going to need some drivers mate, won't get far with out good drivers and a sharpening/dressing tool for them. Tweezers as well as Wiz said are vital, two pair at least. Rodico, watchmaker's tissue, a piece of pithwood and some pegwood are also a must if you are pulling MVTs apart.

Buying Bergeon is like buying Snap-On Tools, nice but even if you use them every day there are cheaper alternatives that work just as well. I make part of my income from working on watches and 80% of my tools are from Watchbitz, most of the rest are second hand. Don't let the prices fool you, the quality is great. Alan travels to China and HK at least yearly to source the best available personally.



Col.
 

Darthmemnoch

Renowned Member
10/9/07
648
17
18
This kit "1 Optivisor & Opti-Loupe Kit With ETA 6497-1 KIT-3-ETA-6497-1" comes with drivers, rodico, pith, tweezers, etc...

Here's the full list:

The Optivisor & Opti-Loupe Kit comes the tools you will use while taking level 1. Bergeon Presto #2 Cannon Pinion remover (FB-401 $38.20) The kit comes with Opitvisor DA-10, 3 1/2 Power, 4" Working Distance FB-630 $33.95 Optiloupe 2 1/2 Power Accessory Loupe FB-631 $6.95. Additional items in the toolkit include the a Bergeon movement holder (4040 FB-807 $20.49), Bergeon dust blower (4657 FB-301 $15.00), Bergeon 30081-S screwdriver set with nine sizes (0.5 to 2.5 mm) in a carousel(BERG-30081-S $88.40), Dumont Swiss Made Dumoxel #2 tweezers (FB-1403 $26.20) and Dumont Swiss Made #5 tweezers (FB-1802 $26.80), 2 covered compartment parts trays (value $3.33 sold as set of 6 FB-104 $9.95), 2mm pegwood bundle (#123.300 $7.90), one piece of pithwood (value $1.00 sold box of 12 pieces #123.332 $5.25), one bar Rodico cleaning putty (FB-309-1 $5.30), covered parts and movement tray (FB-117 $5.45), and box of watch paper (FB-308 $8.50). Toolkit a la carte total $417.22, as a kit you pay only $396.45

So what I need now is a multi prong remover and a case/crystal press from Alan... what casebacks do the multi prong remove and will the caseback ball work in the interim?
 

cybee

Legendary Member
Supporter
23/11/06
11,134
28
48
...and dont forget a good lamp and preferably a hard floor. I have a shag carpet under my workbench. It sucks up watch screws like there's no tomorrow.

Good luck with your watch tinkering. I really does add another dimension to this hobby.
 

Darthmemnoch

Renowned Member
10/9/07
648
17
18
I am kinda not allowed to buy watches anymore but the ban does to extend to building watches with parts...
 

TienHsueh78

You're Saying I Can Sell?
25/9/09
50
0
0
So sort of along these lines what would be a minimum amount of tools needed to do basic maintenance?
 

Wiz

Mythical Poster
9/8/09
6,708
21
0
Loupe with headband, screwdrivers, tweezers, rodico, wood sticks, movement holder, case back opener, hands remover, hands setter, spring bar tool, watchmaker's knife, dust blower, finger gloves, soft brush, leather buff.

With these you can perform all the basic assembly/disassembly. If you want to go deeper into the movement you'll need some extra material for cleaning and oiling.

And don't go cheap on the screwdrivers (at least the blades), the tweezers, the loupe and the hands remover. Trust me, you'll regret it.
 

TienHsueh78

You're Saying I Can Sell?
25/9/09
50
0
0
Loupe with headband, screwdrivers, tweezers, rodico, wood sticks, movement holder, case back opener, hands remover, hands setter, spring bar tool, watchmaker's knife, dust blower, finger gloves, soft brush, leather buff.

With these you can perform all the basic assembly/disassembly. If you want to go deeper into the movement you'll need some extra material for cleaning and oiling.

And don't go cheap on the screwdrivers (at least the blades), the tweezers, the loupe and the hands remover. Trust me, you'll regret it.

Thanks
 

Darthmemnoch

Renowned Member
10/9/07
648
17
18
I got my stuff, but the parcel was missing 1 and a half item. Anyone encounter such problems with ofrei? I am now wondering how I can contact them to resolve the issue as they seem to not have email.
 

Wiz

Mythical Poster
9/8/09
6,708
21
0
I think there is a phone number on their website.
 

Darthmemnoch

Renowned Member
10/9/07
648
17
18
Yeah. I'm trying to save on making so many long distance calls. I am missing a screwdriver blade, and a watch hand measuring gauge. The watch hand measuring gauge cost like over 40 usd and the screwdriver blade cannot be found in singapore, so I can't let that go.

Anyway I emailed them on an email I found on their website. Hopefully I will get some resolution soon.