BORING HOLES!

 WEEK 135

Michael

Origin : Malaysia 

Watchmaking class: Technician & Fullskill 

Current mood: I did a few trials on the Geneva stripes and finished on one of my coursework piece. It was then black rhodium plated afterwards. The pins were hand turned and friction fitted into the plate. For the rest of the week, I took some time to revise on Swiss lever mechanism and measuring dimensions from various omega calibres to references.

Renato & David

Origin: Zug, Zürich, Switzerland

Watchmaking class: Fullskill

Current mood: Did some test fitting of the new setting lever I made and turned the slot on the brass prototype winding stem accordingly. If OK, I can do the real stem as well as finish the lever. Besides that, I was busy doing two trial exams for winding stems. Real one to follow next week. I became much quicker now and have a good process in place to manage the exam. Preparing the tools/gravers took some time too, but now I'm good. Only straightening a bent winding stem is still somewhat tricky. We're therefore still experimenting with the heat treatment as well as different straightening methods to optimize this part for the exam. Looking forward to it! Renato

This week was the first time I worked on the jig boring machine. I used it to finish my brass anvil and polishing tripod. I drilled the holes and also tried the boring attachment. David

Francesco, Åsmund & Robert

Origin: Italy, Norway, USA

Watchmaking class: Fullskill 

Current mood: I finished the compass tool for the balance wheels. 

I tried the charbonnage/grattage technique on both legs, sand blasting on the lower part and straight and round graining on flanks and on the backside. The charbonnage/grattage came out nice, a bit sparkling. 

I’ve also made a special top for a screw, I’m pretty happy with the result.

Now I’ve just started plating screws, next week I’m going to do the two legs, hoping that they fit into the plating basket.

See you next week,

Francesco.

STEP 1:  FINISHING! (MICHAEL)

Michael got a nice finish on one of his practice machining and fitting pieces!

STEP 2:  THE JIG BORING MACHINE! (FRANCESCO, ÅSMUND, DAVID & ROBERT)

Asmund, David, Robert and Francesco got introduced to the jig boring machine!

David drilling the holes for his brass anvil in the jig boring machine!

Trying out scribing with the jig boring machine!

STEP 3:  SNOW! (ALL)

We got snow! but then it immediately disappeared again.

STEP 4:  PART MAKING! (RENATO)

Renato trying his raw newly machined setting lever with his prototype brass winding stem which still needs a slot turned for the setting lever.

STEP 5:  BOOKS! (KHWCC LIBRARY)

If interested in pocket watch collecting this one is a great book to have!

STEP 6:  VISIT! (ASMUND, ROBERT, DAVID, MICHAEL & FRANCESCO)

They also got a nice gift!

They really enjoyed the visit and were amazed by the stunning beauty of these extremely high grade watches!

HENRIK's WORDS:

Winter is coming! We had snow this week but its not cold enough to stick yet, probably soon the real winter arrives! Asmund, Francesco, David and Robert got introduced to the jig boring machine and also rhodium plating, David finished drilling and boring the necessary holes for his tripod and brass anvil, very good step for him! Francesco finished his compass style balance wheel support which he will attempt to rhodium plate next week. Michael got some good results with the Geneva stripe making on one of his exercise pieces which was really nice to see. Asmund and Robert practiced mainly various finishing techniques and Renato continued with his setting lever and had two trial winding stem exams as well. The students also visited Girard-Perregaux watchmaking company and will visit some other brands over the weekend as well! Nice and balanced week! Have a great weekend everyone!