Solution: New watchmaker losing/flying parts

[RedMouthguard]

Hello

As a learning watchmaker, I have fallen victim to countless prohejcts delayed and getting 2x more expensive due to losing parts that have flew out of my tweezers, screwdriver, etc. My office space is not ideal to go on the floor searching for the parts and 9/10 they always go missing.

I started looking for a few solutions to this problem and came across still air boxes as a possible best solution:

Any watchmakers tried this before? If not what's a solution you would recommend?

 

[Plaasbaas]

This could actually work I know that others have tried similar solutions. The only thing is that you'll sometimes want to be very close with your eyes to the part your working on or you need some method of magnification.

 

[dpd3672]

Seems like it would work, but it might be a bit cumbersome.

 

[RedMouthguard]

Seems like it would work, but it might be a bit cumbersome.

The setup could definitely be cumbersome. But having to take 10min to assemble/disassemble is less time than waiting for 5-7 business days to waiting to receive a lost part.

 

[MaximillianGT]

Hello

As a learning watchmaker, I have fallen victim to countless prohejcts delayed and getting 2x more expensive due to losing parts that have flew out of my tweezers, screwdriver, etc. My office space is not ideal to go on the floor searching for the parts and 9/10 they always go missing.

I started looking for a few solutions to this problem and came across still air boxes as a possible best solution:

Any watchmakers tried this before? If not what's a solution you would recommend?

I have something like this, the raising edge does help a bit. TBH it's a bit difficult to work with a fish tank, as sometimes I have to look into the movement with a wearing loupe pretty close.

 

[Plaasbaas]

Took me a while but found it. I think it's post #3 or so:

Working On My Own Watches

I've always been a very technical guy. I learned enough to be a proper Stihl tech from lurking their manuals, I work on cars, computers, electrical work, plumbing, name it (with proficiency). How difficult is it to service and repair these Asian movements in comparison to those trades? Is...

forum.replica-watch.info

 

[RedMouthguard]

I have something like this, the raising edge does help a bit. TBH it's a bit difficult to work with a fish tank, as sometimes I have to look into the movement with a wearing loupe pretty close.

Nice..How about something angled like this?

 

[RedMouthguard]

Took me a while but found it. I think it's post #3 or so:

Working On My Own Watches

I've always been a very technical guy. I learned enough to be a proper Stihl tech from lurking their manuals, I work on cars, computers, electrical work, plumbing, name it (with proficiency). How difficult is it to service and repair these Asian movements in comparison to those trades? Is...

forum.replica-watch.info

Yea thats awesome, but it seems like he custom made it...Ain't nobody got time fo' dat!

 

[MaximillianGT]

Nice..How about something angled like this?

Looks nice, but I need it a little bit more closer. Imagine your shoulder is just on the level with the bench, and your head is a few inches right above the movement...

 

[dpd3672]

I have something like this, the raising edge does help a bit. TBH it's a bit difficult to work with a fish tank, as sometimes I have to look into the movement with a wearing loupe pretty close.

Yeah, I'd say that 90% of errant parts don't go flying across the room, but rather go skidding across the work surface.

Even installing quarter round moulding backward around the edge of your desk or workbench, or even sticking on a plastic lip would probably be a cheap, useful solution.

 

[Plaasbaas]

Yea thats awesome, but it seems like he custom made it...Ain't nobody got time fo' dat!

Then my first sentiment remains: Your main concern will be to bring your eyes close enough to the movement. Unless you can position a usb-microscope or something inside the box. But everything will be a bit awkward and offhand.

The angled box might is better but not sure if it's good enough. Rather not.

I just work underneath transparent kitchen foil for that specific moment whenever I get really scared to loose something.

 

[Karbon74]

ok. you mean I am not the only one losing second hands and gaskets while working?

 

[RedMouthguard]

ok. you mean I am not the only one losing second hands and gaskets while working?

Don't forget the springs! all the mini springs!

 

[dpd3672]

I don't lose hands, but movement parts (especially keyless parts) and movement retaining clips are my bete noir.

I know it's blasphemy, but I have a big magnet that people use for fishing, and I periodically "sweep" the floor with it. I could almost build a whole watch with what I've found, lol.

 

[MaximillianGT]

I don't lose hands, but movement parts (especially keyless parts) and movement retaining clips are my bete noir.

I know it's blasphemy, but I have a big magnet that people use for fishing, and I periodically "sweep" the floor with it. I could almost build a whole watch with what I've found, lol.

A lot of demagnetizing jobs to do afterwards