BARRELS!

 WEEK 185

Team B

Origin: Japan/Switzerland & Canada

Name: Tetsu & Dean

Watchmaking class: Fullskill 

Current mood:

This week, (17-21 October) Henrik introduced Tetsu and Dean to pivot gauges, which are used to measure the diameter of holes.  In order to make them, Henrik demonstrated the concept of turning between centres, whereby the work piece is supported at both fixed ends using the Horia 8 mm lathe with head and tail stocks designed for such turning.  This ensures that the workpiece may be machined, removed from the lathe for measuring, then returned to the lathe while maintaining the workpiece’s original central axis to avoid getting eccentric.

A bit of prep work was required to get started by way of making a tool called a “carrier.”  The carrier holds the workpiece in a piece of metal, in this case a small piece of brass with a hole punched for very close fitting  and supplemented with glue to temporarily hold it in place.  Another hole is drilled for the headstock’s drive pin to turn the workpiece.

Tetsu and Dean will be working on practicing their cutting and burnishing skills as they start making their first pivot gauges.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Dean & Tetsu

Team C

Origin: Switzerland, Norway & USA

Name: Renato, David, Francesco, Åsmund & Robert

Watchmaking class: Fullskill 

Current mood:

We learned the last part of the Swiss lever escapement; how to use the escapemeter in order to adjust pallet jewel positions, so that they were safe. Understanding drop, total lock and run to the banking. Adjusting total locks for performance and safety. This resulted in us fine tuning the escapement for the most optimal performance.

Renato & David

STEP 1: BARRELS! (ÅSMUND, ROBERT & FRANCESCO)

Asmund, Robert and Francesco learned a lot about barrel servicing!

STEP 2: WINDING & SETTING! (ÅSMUND, ROBERT & FRANCESCO)

Asmund, Robert & Francesco also experienced very old winding and setting systems.

STEP 3: MACHINING! (ÅSMUND)

Asmund finished another object!

STEP 4: WINDING STEMS! (TETSU)

Tetsu finished some more winding stems!

STEP 5: WINDING STEMS! (DEAN)

Dean testing his winding stem in the case to estimate how long to make the thread for the crown.

STEP 6: BOOKS! (RENATO COLLECTION)

Renato brought these must haves for serious Rolex collectors for everyone to enjoy in the school!

HENRIK's WORDS:

It got warm and sunny most part of the week! Renato and David learned the final part of the Swiss lever escapement servicing, and Asmund, Robert and Francesco worked mostly on lubrication of various winding and setting systems as well as study some very old and different types, Tetsu and Dean learn how to turn blue steel between fixed centres with HSS gravers before they try hard metal gravers! Towards the end of the week Asmund, Robert and Francesco also learn a lot about the barrel and mainspring, which they will work on next week! Super busy week! But it was really enjoyable and interesting at the same time! Have a great weekend everyone!