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Help- need some advice on replacing a second hand

Oascom

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Thanks Sir. I have indeed tried that in the past and found these presses to be a good tool. My biggest problem right now is actually positioning the hand to be pressed. I simply lack the dexterity and motor control for tweezing left handed. I either drop the hand or shake too much.

I thought I might try a pin vise to clamp the hand and position it that way but worried about damaging the hand.

Either way I am exceptionally grateful for all the advice.
The only thing i think might be good is soldering helping hand. Maybe grab a rodico with the jaws and grab hands with the rodico and position the "helping hand" above the pinion and press with your working hand.


Here is what I'm talking about

 
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KJ2020

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Many thanks to everyone who has responded here. I can’t express how much I appreciate all the advice. @KJ2020 , @Oascom ,@APjumbo you folks are all rockstars.
Bro try the tape technique. Put the hand upside down on a scratch free surface, pick up the tail. Rest your hand on worktop to place it. Fold the tape over for more control (closer grip) and no sticking to the tweezers.

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Using my non dominant hand for test purposes. Once in place, stabilize with the tip on the spring tool or your pen tool.

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SS72

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This is a great thread!

Today, I spent about 5 hours removing and installing hands on a GMT I bought about 10 years ago. I used a combination of tweezers, Rodico and Horotec pencil-style pushers. And a 40X loupe!

This is the video I used as a guide. There are two parts to it: one for the hour and minute hand, and one for the seconds hand. For me, it was very helpful.

I'll probably get a good quality 3-pin press, but I'm confident replacing hands this way now, which has always been where I've come unstuck. And, after 5 hours, the movement still works perfectly. However, the second hand is a little looser on the pinion.
 
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tbandy

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I was in your same situation trying to set the seconds hand on the pinion but my hands shake just a little enough to don't allowed me to
Set the seconds hand in the right spot, then I had this idea that worked very well.
I used a Pegwood and put a little piece of rodico at the flat end of the stick, that way the seconds hand stuck on the stick
Then everything worked just great, I recommend you to try it you wouldn't be disappointed.
 
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