BARRELS, FIRE & LATHES

                                                                   WEEK 43

Jayne Zhuo, James Punshon, Pierre Aubert

Origin : Singapore. Sydney, Australia. Toulouse, France.

Age : 32

Watchmaking class: Technician Course

Current mood: Hi guys! Jayne here. Yeah more exciting stuffs this week. We learned to service Barrels and continued with our oiling of winding and setting mechanisms. Beware of springs jumping out at you :) Other than that, great week with everyone in class as usual. Oh, it snowed this Tuesday finally! Can't wait to start next week with everyone here again and acquire more watchmaking knowledge! 

Markus McDonald 

Origin : Stockholm Sweden 

Age : 20

Watchmaking class: 2 years Fullskill Program

Current mood : This week I focused on many different things firstly I worked on finishing the final component for the winding stem, the thread which was done in both a brass and steel. Working on both of these metals was very educational as it allowed me to see the clear differences in cutting and performances and how they would perform on a more complex piece.

Additionally I did hardening and tempering which I applied to a steel ring which I made, this is a crucial tool for making the winding stem as the significance of this is that I wouldn't of been able to do the square on the winding stem. Finally I made two test winding stems which combined every aspect of what I had learned. This was challenging as making one aspect of the winding stem is straight forward, combining everything whilst maintaining the tolerance was another challenge altogether. 

Alex

Origin : Kaohsiung, Taiwan 

Age : 26

Watchmaking : 2Y Fullskill Program

Current mood: The week went by quickly as usually. Learned the assembly and disassembly of the 8mm lathe, it was a bit messy since you have to put every parts in the oil to service them.

Square filling on winding stem seems hard in the beginning, but I got a hand of it after some practice, overall not too bad. And the most exciting of all, heat treatment as well as tempering. There is nothing more adrenaline stimulating than that.   

Michael

Origin : Malaysia 

Age : 28

Watchmaking : 2Y Fullskill Program

Current mood : Learned how to use the profile projector. The measuring accuracy is 0.001mm and it can also measure in degrees and minutes. Not only that, my favorite part is, it can also be use as a microscope to view the top of the piece. Very useful to check if the scribes are actually on point. Other than that, starting to file on Steel this week. Very challenging indeed. Can't wait for next week to learn the milling machine. 

STEP 1: HEAT TREATMENT (ALEX)

STEP 2: WINDING of MAIN SPRING EXERCISE (JAMES)

STEP 3: SERVICING the LATHE (MARKUS & ALEX)

HENRIK's WORDS:

We got some snow this week which was nice to see! Pierre, Jayne, and James got introduced to barrels and mainsprings this week, they are really steaming ahead fast in the program! Michael is progressing very well with the micromechanics and tool making, I will show him the Aciera F1 milling machine next week: I also show Markus and Alex how to service the 8mm watchmakers lathe and how to control and setup the spindle on them, as well as hardening and tempering of steel which will certainly be useful to them when they have to make steel watch parts. Markus also made a complete brass prototype winding stem and Alex started to file squares to practice for the winding stems. See you next week!

SNOW ARRIVED!

The Movement

                                                                   WEEK 42

James Punshon, Jayne Zhuo, Pierre Aubert

Origin : Sydney, Australia. Singapore. Toulouse, France

Age : 38

Watchmaking class :  Technician Course

Current mood: So happy to be here! All nerves and tentative thoughts quickly washed away once school started. Have thoroughly enjoyed the first two weeks of school, which included an introduction to micro mechanics and watch assembly among other subjects.

Have a great group of peers, everyone is getting along super well and operating as a tight unit. Looking forward to what the rest of the year will bring.

Markus McDonald 

Origin : Stockholm Sweden 

Age : 20

Watchmaking class: 2 years Fullskill Program

Current mood : This week was primarily focused on finishing and improving my slot pieces from the last week from 2 mm too 0.80 mm this included making a piece that maintained a set value and tolerance whilst having 2 cones and being a complete piece. This was a great exercise as it challenged me too make a piece that not only maintained tolerance but also finishing which when combined with other elements such as threading and squares results in the winding stem which is one of the most interactive components of the watch. However although I was able to finish all five pieces I found myself redoing several of the pieces for the sake of consistency and quality, as the more practice and repetition results in a better result.

Alex

Origin : Kaohsiung, Taiwan 

Age : 26

Watchmaking : 2Y Fullskill Program

Current mood: It's been a rather exciting yet annoying week. Started turning but kept on breaking the gravers. Must have spent about 40 percent of the week just trying to fix them. But over all it was a nice experience. Looking forward to have more of it next week!!!

Michael

Origin : Malaysia 

Age : 28

Watchmaking : 2Y Fullskill Program

Current mood : Enjoying the grinding of filing brass pieces by hand. Meanwhile, I literally smell like I am wearing a brass scented cologne almost everyday this week. Learned how to use the drilling machine as well. Managed to finish the balance bridge holder within the tolerances.. 'hopefully' (not graded yet). Started on the next task which is the brass wheel turing guide. Very challenging to file the 45° degree angle on the piece. I need more time please! Till next week. 

STEP 1: BULLET HAMMER (JAMES)

Customized hammer made as part of our introduction to micro mechanics.

STEP 2: EXERCISES (ALEX)

HENRIK's WORDS:

This week was as nice as last week, the temperature and sunny days makes the work so much more enjoyable! The week was not too intensive but still lots of new things for the students to learn, Pierre, Jayne, and James got introduced to the movement and the concept of the watch as well as the winding and hand setting, Michael learn how to drill and tap with a drill press, Markus finished his slots and will begin soon to make complete winding stems, Alex progressed well with the 8 mm lathe and the basic cuts with hand turning. I am in the process to promote my 2020 short courses and if you are interested to take any of them you can find them here; http://www.khwcc.ch/specialized-programs.html See you next week!

LE LOCLE's POPULATION IS BOOMING

WEEK 41

Pierre Aubert

Origin : Toulouse, France

Age : 23

Watchmaking class : 2Y Fullskill Program

Current mood: Quite happy with the work done this week: finished most of my tools required for the first year of micro-mechanics. I will therefore be starting off my second year next week. The second year is dedicated to watch servicing and movement theory. I will take on this second year with Jayne and James who arrived this week for the 9 Month Technician course! We will merge to one blog post for the three of us as of now! See you next week for new adventures, have a great weekend everyone!  

Markus McDonald 

Origin : Stockholm Sweden 

Age : 20

Watchmaking class: 2 years Fullskill Program

Current mood : This week was very exciting as we had new students joining for the operator course which changed both the environment and dynamic within the workshop and school. This brought new responsibilities for me and the current students as we wanted to assist the new students to integrate and adapt to the workshop in regards to tools and machinery. This along with my work in preparation for the winding stem (specially the slot and cone) had me making several test pieces which combined the two, this in combination with meeting new people, preparation for the winding stem made the week more intense than usual however just as fun and yet more refreshing.

Alex

Origin : Kaohsiung, Taiwan 

Age : 26

Watchmaking : 2Y Fullskill Program

Current mood: The week fly by rather quickly, as usual. Nothing special happened to me, have been doing gravers all week long. The more exciting thing would be sharing experiences on the use of lathe to the new comers, a refresh course for me essentially. Actual turning will happen next week, looking forward to it.

Michael

Origin : Malaysia 

Age : 28

Watchmaking : 2Y Fullskill Program

Current mood : Learning to use the Lathe. Amazed by the potential and usefulness of the lathe for a watchmaker. Few attempts on making the Balance Bridge Holder (Brass). The classmates are very helpful and friendly. Looking forward for the next week. 

STEP 1: DRILLING ESSENTIALS

 

 Michael, James and Jayne learning how to drill holes with the Aciera 6T for tool making. 

 Continuing the tool making on the Schaublin 70

STEP 2: FINISHING TOOLS

 Doing some house keeping with the 1st year tools ( Pierre)

HENRIK's WORDS:

We are now full house with 6 students, it was really nice to get to know the new students, this also brings some more activity in the school which is great! this week started in a nice way with Alex, Markus and Pierre who continued with finishing old work from last year. I introduced the new students, Michael, Jayne and James to micromechanics, specifically; drilling, filing and turning, which they seemed to like, they also finished some tools which will come in handy during their course, other than the new students arriving, it was  a very sunny and fun week! See you next week!

BACK IN TOWN!

WEEK 40

BACK IN TOWN!

Pierre Aubert

Origin : Toulouse, France

Age : 23

Watchmaking class : 2Y Fullskill Program

Current mood: Just back! It was a very nice first week after the Christmas break. I am finishing work for the first year before I can start the second year when the new students arrive! In that regard, I have spent most of the week polishing the winding stems I made a few months back..! Next week will then be dedicated to some tools I need to finish! Last but not least, Henrik showed us how to refresh our grinding stones (the ones we use to refresh hand gravers). Have a great week-end every one and see you next week! 

Markus McDonald 

Origin : Stockholm Sweden 

Age : 20

Watchmaking class: 2 years Fullskill Program

Current mood : After a good break we got back to the school and a much missed routine and its new challenges. This week was focused on a mix of tools and expanding work on the lathe. The lathe was a new but intriguing challenge as I was starting with the slot and creating the gravers for said slot. This was incredibly intense due to the new section as the slots although rewarding where difficult to get a hang of as the material was one of the hardest I had work on but after much work it became like butter and this became incredibly rewarding.

Alex

Origin : Kaohsiung, Taiwan 

Age : 26

Watchmaking : 2Y Fullskill Program

Current mood: After 27 hours on the road, I am finally back to the school and is immediately greeted by a trial exam and then the final exam for the brass filling exam. Thankfully the skills I have accumulated from the past months came back to me rather quickly. I have successfully past the exam and is ready to move on to the next project, the 8mm lathe.

STEP 1: WINDING STEM (PIERRE)

 The bench looks more like a painter's workshop: foam, wood, and paste (for paint)

Black Polished Winding Stem

STEP 2: LAPPING @ THE WATCHMAKER's LEVEL/REFRESHING GRINDING STONES

STEP 3: GRINDING WITH THE AGATHON

Markus hand grinding slot gravers for winding stem slot turning.

HENRIK's WORDS:

Back at work from a very relaxing holiday! I hope holidays were good for everyone, this week started in a nice way with Alex, Markus and Pierre arriving first, I will have another 3 students coming next week two for the Technician course and another one for the Fullskill course making it full house! Before the holidays I forgott to share an interview that Dean DK (all the way from Australia) did about me and the school which can be found here; 

Part 1; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNYiZ0SbR8Y&t=611s  

Part 2; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W48N83gs7PU&t=446s  

Part 3; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_stfb3A_e3s&t=557s  

Final part 4; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXSdEm5_Gd4&t=78s  

Thank you Dean DK for doing the interview!!

See you next week!