The 1016: The Under Appreciated Thread

[Action_Jensen]

I found a stupid good deal on a 20W laser, so engraving metal should now be in the realm of possibilities. It's sturdy as hell, I'm actually slightly scared of it, because a little bit of carelessness could be catastrophic (fire, blindness, loss of limb, etc...you know, the usual things that watch hobbyists kindergarten teachers, and librarians worry about...). I actually have a protective enclosure on order, and have made a promise to myself not to use it until it arrives. Cliff Notes: It now has a honeycomb metal baffle, stainless steel plate, some leftover ceramic tile, a sheet of aluminum foil (why not?), and 3/4" of plywood underneath it, lol.

ENJOYWOOD

ENJOY THE JOY OF WOOD AND WOODWORKING DIY

www.amazon.com

This thing makes Goldfinger look like a potzer.

It isn't powerful enough to deeply engrave Stainless Steel, but could possibly be enough to engrave cases and backs, with enough passes.

That said, it IS powerful enough to deeply engrave, or cut, aluminum. So now cutom pad printed dials are within reach. I'm still researching the process, but thinking I have a dial pad printer in my future...

Cutting the plates with laser:

Printing the dial, sometimes using multiple plates:

I seriously am enjoying the process more than the product, by far.

So I'd prepare a blank dial (polish or paint), scan a dial into Adobe or similar, tweak it into a high res vector file, create the plates, print the dial, and it should be about as professional as you can get this side of Geneva...gilt showing through a black dial with raised, glossy white printing.

It's still very early in the process, but as I learn, I will post results here.

Long story short: I think the later model Explorer dials and odd variants might now be within reach...maybe even stuff like Karbon's Railmaster or others. And technically, I should be able to "correct" whatever flaws we find in the offerings from Raffles, HR, Yuki, etc.

I see myself living in Vietnam in 10 years, lol.

Wow. This thread is not far away from someone getting a Multi-Axis CNC Machine and starting from Scratch with a block of 316L just for the right lug profile. I like it!

 

[dpd3672]

Wow. This thread is not far away from someone getting a Multi-Axis CNC Machine and starting from Scratch with a block of 316L just for the right lug profile. I like it!

Lady friend asks could you please not put these thoughts into my head before she gets a ring.

 

[316lad]

Wow. This thread is not far away from someone getting a Multi-Axis CNC Machine and starting from Scratch with a block of 316L just for the right lug profile. I like it!

Other threads debate where they can find the best bracelet for their cherished Daytonas and then take pictures of them on their wrists with double mocca latte coffees in the background.

We just quietly get the overalls on and get to work with the anvil and the hammers smashing raw iron ore in to stainless steel and taking it from there on the long road to perfection.

Happy Friday Night everyone.

 

[dpd3672]

Wow. This thread is not far away from someone getting a Multi-Axis CNC Machine and starting from Scratch with a block of 316L just for the right lug profile. I like it!

Now that I think of it, I'm headed to the SHOT Show next week for work. I was falling in love with a CNC machine they had there last year, although I couldn't (and beleive me, I racked my brain) justify it as a work or personal expense. But you put in a block of steel and a gun came out an hour or so later, lol.

I'm sure the bright minds here could help me adapt it for wristwatches...

 

[Karbon74]

For the fun...I just failed my Moonswatch build I bought a really Ali cheap case... Well it was trash indeed

misaligned bezel, soft steel that marks on touching it, bad caseback thread, crystal just popped off, mushy pushers and "oval" case interior

Next person who speaks to Ken, please tell him we love him and his products

 

[Geonor]

Wow. This thread is not far away from someone getting a Multi-Axis CNC Machine and starting from Scratch with a block of 316L just for the right lug profile. I like it!

Not gonna lie, I've been watching this one drop in price over the last month.

Getting closer to where I'm comfortable

 

[dpd3672]

Not gonna lie, I've been watching this one drop in price over the last month.

Getting closer to where I'm comfortable

Lol, I can see myself saying, "How much did it cost? That's the best part...The whole watch was less than $200 from Raffles, and it's identical to the genuine article, I just had to assemble the parts and give it a little patina and tweak some things. So $200...plus the $200,000 I spent on tools and supplies. To replicate a $5,000 watch."

 

[Karbon74]

i am spending almost the same on tools than on watches now.

I should have stopped at CF and VSF...

 

[Geonor]

Lol, I can see myself saying, "How much did it cost? That's the best part...The whole watch was less than $200 from Raffles, and it's identical to the genuine article, I just had to assemble the parts and give it a little patina and tweak some things. So $200...plus the $200,000 I spent on tools and supplies. To replicate a $5,000 watch."

I mean, people spend that kind of money on a mountain bike. It's a hobby right?

 

[Karbon74]

Lady friend asks could you please not put these thoughts into my head before she gets a ring.

tell her that you will make that ring

 

[dpd3672]

I mean, people spend that kind of money on a mountain bike. It's a hobby right?

Bikes is another passion of mine. You'd be surprised how fast you can go from $100 Walmart bike to $15,000 Colnago, lol. I've got a couple bikes that are probably worth more than the car I drive to work (never much cared about what I drive, as long as it's reliable and the radio works, lol).

 

[316lad]

Not gonna lie, I've been watching this one drop in price over the last month.

Getting closer to where I'm comfortable

Buy it! Buy it! Buy it!
(You know you have to)

 

[dpd3672]

I was looking at something else on Ebay, I stumbled across this. More importantantly, I DID NOT BUY IT!!!



That said, it seemed like a neat option for anyone who wants to drill holes for lugs with a little more stability (and perfectly straight and parallel holes) than can be had with a hand held drill or Dremel, but it isn't as expensive or cumbersome as a "real" drill press. It wouldn't be much use for woodworking or metal fabricating, but for a watch modder, it should do anything you'd ever need. The chuck looks standard, so it would probably also work as a buffing or grinding wheel with the right bit.

Portable High Precision Bench Drill Press Machine For Jeweler Wood Metal Working | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Portable High Precision Bench Drill Press Machine For Jeweler Wood Metal Working at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Not sure if it can be found cheaper on Amazon or AliX/DH or whatever (lately, I've been very happy with Banggood for tools and machines). but posted this because I figure someone here would be interested.

 

[Karbon74]

I did look at those. but finally decided on the dremel plus workstation.
I can't complain. Its setup is currently better than my skills

ps : i am traumatised by my failure with the moonswatch. I managed to align the bezel. but now the crown tube has stripped

 

[Geonor]

I did look at those. but finally decided on the dremel plus workstation.
I can't complain. Its setup is currently better than my skills

ps : i am traumatised by my failure with the moonswatch. I managed to align the bezel. but now the crown tube has stripped

Which metal moonswatch case did you end up buying?

 

[316lad]

I was looking at something else on Ebay, I stumbled across this. More importantantly, I DID NOT BUY IT!!!



That said, it seemed like a neat option for anyone who wants to drill holes for lugs with a little more stability (and perfectly straight and parallel holes) than can be had with a hand held drill or Dremel, but it isn't as expensive or cumbersome as a "real" drill press. It wouldn't be much use for woodworking or metal fabricating, but for a watch modder, it should do anything you'd ever need. The chuck looks standard, so it would probably also work as a buffing or grinding wheel with the right bit.

Portable High Precision Bench Drill Press Machine For Jeweler Wood Metal Working | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Portable High Precision Bench Drill Press Machine For Jeweler Wood Metal Working at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Not sure if it can be found cheaper on Amazon or AliX/DH or whatever (lately, I've been very happy with Banggood for tools and machines). but posted this because I figure someone here would be interested.

I'm actually building one of those at the moment out of parts sourced from Ebay. 12 V motor from a faithful old Makita cordless drill and Drill Press, but with multiple interchangeable chucks for different operations. Has been a plan of mine for a while.

I shall post progress.

 

[Karbon74]

Which metal moonswatch case did you end up buying?

this one. there are many and I just too the cheapest I could find...big mistake

Just found this amazing item on AliExpress. Check it out! 24,78€ 52％ Off | 39.7mm Men's watches metal case FIT VK63 movement case watch accessories watch parts Fits 20mm strap Watch Box

https://a.aliexpress.com/_EyboACD

don't touch it with a pole. It has single handedly destroyed my self confidence

 

[dpd3672]

I'm actually building one of those at the moment out of parts sourced from Ebay. 12 V motor from a faithful old Makita cordless drill and Drill Press, but with multiple interchangeable chucks for different operations. Has been a plan of mine for a while.

I shall post progress.

And just like that, we’re another step closer to mining our own iron to completely vertically integrate this process, lol

 

[Karbon74]

And just like that, we’re another step closer to mining our own iron to completely vertically integrate this process, lol

you know what, I think we might launch a microbrand

 

[Geonor]

you know what, I think we might launch a microbrand

Now I really need to get that 5 axis cranking. And learn CAD + G-Code from scratch.