The Dilemma:
I ordered this UPO last year. Supposed to be UPO. ETA clone though. This model will not accept the gen bezel so...
Ok, first off, the gen bezel will not fit the rep case out of the package. The gen bezel has a 37.4MM inside diameter where it holds the retaining wire. The Rep bezel measures 34.95MM inside diameter. I have seen folks marry the two by machining them to laser weld back together but I think that method is too invasive and expensive unless you have the means to do it yourself.
2nd, the Gen insert has ridge and snaps in to the gen bezel, the rep insert is taped. You need to file down that ridge to fit into the rep bezel. I mean, you need to sand paper thin. The easiest approach to circumvent this is to use the rep bezel and the gen pearl. Most of the time this is the best option.
The Details to fix the dilemma:
What I decided to try was to sand the gen bezel and mill down the rep bezel so it sits flush or just below the outside edge of the rep bezel.
Here is a pic of the gen bezel on the top and the rep bezel on the bottom showing the size differnce.
Here is a pic of the gen bezel on the rep case. You would need a really wide retainer to fit the gen bezel to the rep case. Good thought, but the teeth on the underside will not engage the click spring. It just doesn't fit the case.
Here is where I wish I took more/better pictures of this process as to better show you what is involved for this mod. As thin as you can file/sand the gen insert, it still wont fit the rep bezel because the pocket for the insert is at an angle or domed to fit the the rep style domed insert.
Underside of the rep bezel.
Underside of gen bezel filed/sanded
Even with the sanding as I stated before, it's needs more clearance to bring the bezel insert down to just below the outer edge, as per gen. Any more sanding and you might hoark the insert or flat out make it too thin, thus too fragile to wear.
The milling/lathing.
I thought about the lathe first but I didn't have any ideas on how to hold it initially. So I proceeded with the mill instead. I hot glued the bezel centered on the turntable and took out some unneeded steel.
Pic after milling. I didn't really care too much about the looks, I just wanted to remove some steel. Done.
After that, I figured I wanted just a touch more off but this time, I figured out a way to hold it in my lathe. Chucked it up and turned the bastard. It really cleaned it up.
The end result... I think pretty darn good. The insert actually snaps in but not enough to be held by itself. I will use epoxy to hold it in.
The end of this chapter but not the end of the book yet.
I ordered this UPO last year. Supposed to be UPO. ETA clone though. This model will not accept the gen bezel so...
Ok, first off, the gen bezel will not fit the rep case out of the package. The gen bezel has a 37.4MM inside diameter where it holds the retaining wire. The Rep bezel measures 34.95MM inside diameter. I have seen folks marry the two by machining them to laser weld back together but I think that method is too invasive and expensive unless you have the means to do it yourself.
2nd, the Gen insert has ridge and snaps in to the gen bezel, the rep insert is taped. You need to file down that ridge to fit into the rep bezel. I mean, you need to sand paper thin. The easiest approach to circumvent this is to use the rep bezel and the gen pearl. Most of the time this is the best option.
The Details to fix the dilemma:
What I decided to try was to sand the gen bezel and mill down the rep bezel so it sits flush or just below the outside edge of the rep bezel.
Here is a pic of the gen bezel on the top and the rep bezel on the bottom showing the size differnce.
Here is a pic of the gen bezel on the rep case. You would need a really wide retainer to fit the gen bezel to the rep case. Good thought, but the teeth on the underside will not engage the click spring. It just doesn't fit the case.
Here is where I wish I took more/better pictures of this process as to better show you what is involved for this mod. As thin as you can file/sand the gen insert, it still wont fit the rep bezel because the pocket for the insert is at an angle or domed to fit the the rep style domed insert.
Underside of the rep bezel.
Underside of gen bezel filed/sanded
Even with the sanding as I stated before, it's needs more clearance to bring the bezel insert down to just below the outer edge, as per gen. Any more sanding and you might hoark the insert or flat out make it too thin, thus too fragile to wear.
The milling/lathing.
I thought about the lathe first but I didn't have any ideas on how to hold it initially. So I proceeded with the mill instead. I hot glued the bezel centered on the turntable and took out some unneeded steel.
Pic after milling. I didn't really care too much about the looks, I just wanted to remove some steel. Done.
After that, I figured I wanted just a touch more off but this time, I figured out a way to hold it in my lathe. Chucked it up and turned the bastard. It really cleaned it up.
The end result... I think pretty darn good. The insert actually snaps in but not enough to be held by itself. I will use epoxy to hold it in.
The end of this chapter but not the end of the book yet.
