tools

[barkerclaudia]

Is there a list of starter tools for beginning this trade? Most of the kits I see seem to apply to watches. I could buy in pieces from Ebay if I had a list of necessary items. I have a 50's alarm clock which I thought I would start with...cleaning and following the videos. Any suggestions?

[Arutha]

Hi,
As far as I am aware there are no starter kits but to be honest the quality of the watch starter kits may not be brilliant. Half the fun is getting the tools together and for some, i.e. me, can be quite addictive in itself. Watch Bobs videos and keep a pen and paper handy, he goes through each common repairs and not only shows how to repair the problems but also the different ways and tools that can be used. I love the 50's alarm clocks, I have a few (ahem ) myself. Take plenty of pictures as you go so you can see how it goes back together. If you look in the tips and tricks I posted a bit on using cable ties to retain the mainspings. The springs are designed in a way that you cant do them on a spring winder.
Just take your time and make sure you get everything clean. If you run into any problems just let us know.
Paul

[James1983]

This Site helped me understand what it is i needed to start clock repairs.
Some of the sites are no longer around but I will leave a list below of some sites for good gear.

http://www.abbeyclock.com/tools.html


Gear, Tools and Stock sites

http://www.perrinwatchparts.com/
http://www.casker.com/ <--- One like La Rose
http://www.execulink.com/~lfoord/tools.html
http://www.watchtoolsonline.com/Clockmaker-Tools_c5.htm
http://www.julesborel.com/
http://www.clock-parts.com/index.htm <-- This one is Timesavers as from the article above
http://www.ofrei.com/ClockPartsAndSupplies.html
http://www.metalsplus.ca/en/products.html <--- local metal supply
http://www.onlinemetals.com/index.cfm <-- Online ships anywhere metal supply
http://homepage.mac.com/deiman/index.htm <--- New 8mm collets for watchmaker lathe WW style
http://www.amazon.com or http://www.amazon.ca just search for "Clock Tool" They have Cheap broaches, files and other hand tools

Best of luck

James

[barkerclaudia]

Thanks James

[barkerclaudia]

Thanks PAUL,

I think I will also become a fanatic looking for tools at the auctions with my husband. He is an auctioneer so I will be busy watching for clock tools. I did take a pic of my first project so I can see if it ends up back in 1 piece when I get done...lol..but I hadn't thought of taking pics as I disassemble it..so thanks for that tip. and thanks for the tip in the twisty ties... How I respond to an individual posting instead of the general reply?

[Arutha]

I am not quite sure what you are asking, if you want to reply to a particular post just reply, we all read down the threads. I can be a bit dumb at times
Auctions can be a great place to pick up tools but before you spend large money on lathes and stuff please do you research on what to look for with regards to wear and if a lathe set has been made up of components from different makers etc. There can be some real bargains to be had at auctions and also keep your eye out for nice clocks too

[barkerclaudia]

ok..i'll just thread thru too...have you restored any Gabriel Alarm clocks...having trouble figuring out how to disassemble it.

[Arutha]

I am sorry but that is not one I am familiar with. How far have you got and if you can post a pic of the front and back that will help too

[barkerclaudia]

can't figure out how to post pics here...can i email pics to you? not sure how to do that either without email address.

[Arutha]

If you look just under the box where you type your reply you will see two tabs, one says options and the other (the one you want) upload attachment. If you still have problems let me know.
Paul

[Bob Tascione]

Welcome to the forum BarkerClaudia!!
If you need a little more help with directions on uploading pics the following link may be of help as it was covered pretty well in an earlier topic here:
Hope you find it helpful.

Would like to see those pics too! If you would like to discuss repairing the clock it would be great If you could start a new topic titled something like "Gabriel Alarm clock" or just "Alarm clock" etc. it would help keep the thread on topic with the posts making it easier for members to navigate and find through the forum search function. As many of the members like to work on these Alarm clocks this topic might become a popular and fun one and with the title reflecting the content it will make it easy to find where it may otherwise go un-noticed as no one would really know the discussion was about alarm clocks with the title being "tools" . Pheww, was that a long sentence or what? Of course if you just wish to discuss the tools needed to repair the clock rather than actually repairing it then your "tools" topic is good.

Also please note..I probably drift post off topic more than anyone else up here so please don't take this request personally! It just looks like you've hit on one of those topics that could be a very helpful one for many members so wouldn't want to see it fade into oblivion. If given a good title it may be around a long time with more and more people adding to and benefiting from it.

Thanks and enjoy for now!
Bob

[barkerclaudia]

Thanks so much for your post Bob. I am really enjoying your videos and hope i can master this trade as I have always loved clocks! I will do as you request, because I just can't find much on these alarm clocks.

[Bob Tascione]

Thank you too and happy to hear that you're enjoying the course!
Bob

Note: Discussion of Gabriel Alarm Clock Repair continued under topic "Help With Gabriel Alarm Clock" located here:

[tommytinker1048]

I have just purchased both courses, and have learn much already. But I have also signed up for Bob's e mails, have received two so far. If I read correctly the third is on the basic tools to get started with. I am waiting anxiously for that e mail. Don't want to waste money at the beginning on tools I don't need at this level. I am also jotting down tools, I think I might need as I view the course. Best of Luck to everyone, great course of far.

[Arutha]

As I said earlier it is worth noting the tools that Bob uses in his clock reapir course. It is pretty much a basic service on that wall clock and you will need most of the tools he uses. You can just start by stripping down the clock and then buying the tools as you need them but the problem with that is it can get frustrating when you cant go any further with the clock when you are waiting for tools.
OK, a basic list of tools just to do a strip, clean and put back together;
Good light source, if you can work by a window all the better, if not get some daylight bulbs in your desk lamps.
A good place to work, a good desk is worth its weight in gold but a table top will do. One of those self healing work mats are great too.
Screwdrivers, mostly flat bladed unless the movement is held in with crosshead type. Get a reasonable selection.
Tweezers, you will be suprised how often you reach for them without even thinking about it.
Pliers, standard type but I also have a set I have polished the inner jaws on and cut a slot in the middle of one jaw, these are great for pushing clock pins in and out, long nose type come in useful too and top cutting type for cutting clock pins. A selection of clock pins as some will get damaged when you pull them out.
Mainspring let down tool, you can make one of these as Bob shows in his video.
Some form of cleaning solution and some old tooth brushes or stiff bristled brushes.
Pegwood or cocktail sticks for cleaning out pivot holes. A sharp craft knife for sharpening your pegwood.
A pivot burnisher to polish the pivots and a block of hardwood clamped to the desk with a g-clamp or held in a vice.
Clock oil
A good eye glass, very very useful, 3x magnification will do for general clockwork.
A good pair of leather gardening gloves and eye protection for taking out the mainspring.
Something to lubricate the mainspring.
Please bear in mind this list is just for a clean, if you need to do any bushing work you are then going to need;
Small rat tail file, cutting broaches, pin vices to hold the cutting broaches, small anvil or something very hard to rest the plate on when you hammer the bush in, a good hammer, some form of oil sink cutter, pivot file (which if when you look at pivot burnishers this usualy comes on the other end) and a selection of brass clock bushes.
These tools you will need for almost every single clock you work on so concentrate on getting these together first.
I have probably missed some things but I am sure some of the other guys will notice and post them up here. There is a mountain of tools designed to make some jobs easier and you can pretty much spend as much as you like on tools but what I have listed above will get you through a service with some bushing replacement. I am a cheapskate , here in the UK we have "pound shops" where you can buy packs of needle files, small pairs of pliers and small scredriver sets for £1. Experience will tell you when you can get away with using cheap tools for certain jobs but with things like tweezers and eye glasses you would be well advised to get the best you can afford.
Hope this helps but please watch Bobs video again, You will not find a better resource for learning to service your first clock.

[barkerclaudia]

Thanks Paul, you are most helpful!

[tommytinker1048]

Thanks for the information great help