Lapping machine project has begun

[SSTEEL]

Awesome job so far. I have been hunting high and low myself for case mandrels.

 

[dbane883]

Here's a quick example of bevels I can cut /polish with accuracy and very sharp edges. I will post other examples at some point.

 

[Retina]

Holy shit.awesome

 

[DR3M3L]

The result is awesome! Now, can you build me one of those machines? :lol:

 

[panermaniac]

Very cool.
Your perseverance will pay off in spades!

 

[image0r]

That looks awesome! Keep the pics coming!

 

[Mendota]

That is just insane!

 

[dbane883]

Here's a case ready to undergo some surgery.

Lugs need to be slightly thinned and the bevels cut correctly.

 

[Mendota]

Are bevels something you can assist other members with if we beg hard enough?

 

[dbane883]

. Theres a small line of TC cases waiting for lug thickness sizing and light bevel work. I've noticed that the recent TC cases have uneven lug thicknesses. Some can vary by as much as 0.75mm. Odd.

 

[SSTEEL]

Fancy a consignment of case mandrels?

 

[dbane883]

I had to fabricate a central "stalk" that the mandrels fit onto to expand. It's a bit ghetto as I wasn't really sure how else to make it. I saw mandrels like this years ago and really just milled them from memory. I still think they need improvement but don t have time to make anymore right now. When I do, we can chat and talk about what sizes you need.

 

[dbane883]

Example of poorly cut bevels. Note the rounded edges and notice how the satin finish bleeds onto the bevel:

After spending some time on my lapping machine, the lugs were thinned and the bevels recut to be perfectly crisp:

Dramatically better if you ask me.


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[GrapeJam]

That is amazing.

 

[Mendota]

That's pretty fantastic.

 

[SSTEEL]

I had to fabricate a central "stalk" that the mandrels fit onto to expand. It's a bit ghetto as I wasn't really sure how else to make it. I saw mandrels like this years ago and really just milled them from memory. I still think they need improvement but don t have time to make anymore right now. When I do, we can chat and talk about what sizes you need.

Thanks mate, any time next year onwards would be fine as its then I will have my mini lathe.

 

[dbane883]

Here's a 1675 case I recently worked on:

If you look closely at a modern (genuine)Tudor BB, you can see that Rolex has attempted to put some vintage beveling on the lugs:

To be blunt, those bevels are terrible. Note how it goes from thick to think to thick. It's clearly becoming a lost art.


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[trailboss99]

Good grief, I'm looking at my rep BB and the bevels are better than those!

 

[electric]

Gotta get my 15400 done now

 

[cosmicgate]

damn this is crazy