The Amateur-ist Watchmakers Workspace
I have had a couple (I think literally just two) people ask for pictures of my work area, so I figured I’d share it. I think any professional watch maker would cringe, but here it is.
The previous owner of my home had these atomic age cabinets and what looks like an antique ironing board as workbench, and I though it actually worked out okay so I left it, and have been evolving the organization of my tools over the years since. I am also into instrument and consumer electronics repair and circuit bending synthesizers, so I have some of that equipment mixed in as well.
In the cabinet are my crystal and hand presses and spare parts, as well as rc parts and such. The work surface is a silicon work mat, easy to clean off between projects. nuts and bolts bins are hand me downs and thrift store finds. One was even found full of hardware on the curb. I have a small box tucked in next to the tomegrapher that stores my most used tools.
Dropping parts is a real bastard because there are many places for it to hide, but being a mechanic I have developed a good eye for finding most things in dark dirty places. Rodico and air duster is essential in this environment 😅
For tools I got those presses off eBay and Amazon, and most of my tweezers and screw drivers I have collected over the years from various places and projects, mostly online.
For magnification I use a hobby magnifier modified with the lenses and staff of a harbor freight clip on jewelers loupe. I mount the base to the bottom of the bench on a hook that I cut in half to act as a mounting peg, this puts it at the perfect height for optimal focus on the bench.
The chair is some industrial stool bombed all the way down so I can have the work area just above chest height for stability and to ease my back and stop my hands going numb. They still do, but this helps because I am more relaxed.
For lighting, I have this ikea fully opposable led lamp, no idea what it’s called but it’s size to lumens can’t be beat for this workspace. There is also a fluorescent light above the walkway. The magnifier also has a weak light built in but it does help with shadows.
Any questions please ask, all post some more pics in the comments. Thank you for your interest if you’re still reading!
@Jacksuno here you go bud!
Just got back into timepieces, pardon my ignorance. Champagne taste, High Life budget.
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This multi surface knife sharpener is fantastic for dressing tools/ flat filing.
Drawer of pain
Said modified magnifying stand thing, and it mounted
I hoard containers to store stuff
Honestly pretty legit screwdriver set for the money
You know it, you love it, everyone’s favorite blue buzz box: the demagnetizer. If you didn’t know how to use one of these:
place your watch or tool on the device, hold the button and feel for a buzzing and lift your object off till you are about a foot and half/ half a meter clear.
In the little grey box are a couple case openers, chinesium pry tool, hand removers and usually the GOOD tweezers.
Said GOOD tweezers. Some antique millers forge forceps.
I also have a bunch of these pieces of… not great tweezer. The strait ones are okay I guess. See also tooth picks and peg wood up there. Got tired of scratching everything. I really need some brass tweezers 😅
I was able to build this out of this mess, so I’d say it is usable.
Any area to work on watches is a great area.
muito obrigado! (I hope I got that right, thank you very much!)
Awesome you’re diversified in your tinkering. Watches, music, Rc… rock on. Not sure where you’re located but I get my storage solutions at Dollar Tree. 8 little cups with lids for $1.25
Thanks, yeah I have a Dollar General not too far, I’ll have to check it out they may have something too
I have a jeweler in my hometown that's been in the same spot since 1884. Family owned, the last watch repairer was there since the 1950s started at like 20 years old... I wish I could take a pic of his work area, but believe me when I say your work area looks damn near exact as his. You got a system that works for you, but I'm pretty sure professionals would have nothing bad to say.
Very helpful post - my Mrs is getting into tinkering herself.
Most useful tool I've bought her is a "pinpointer" - a mini metal detector for when springbars or springs go flying across the room 😂👍
Thank you for the kind words, very encouraging 😊
Great place to tinker. I was thinking about something similar in a basement corner. 💪
I recommend it! It’s my safe space once the toddler hits the sheets lol
I was able to build this out of this mess, so I’d say it is usable.
Love it. It's like the Bat Cave for you. I have my own version but I'm as handy as a blind Grandmother so I focused on Timex Cabinets (i.e. a mini museum). It's my version of a Bat Cave.
Love it. It's like the Bat Cave for you. I have my own version but I'm as handy as a blind Grandmother so I focused on Timex Cabinets (i.e. a mini museum). It's my version of a Bat Cave.
I have seen your post before, I love it!!
I have seen your post before, I love it!!
Thanks Brother. I envy people like you that are handy. It's like magic to me. lol
Thanks Brother. I envy people like you that are handy. It's like magic to me. lol
Well if it makes you feel better, it’s not a super power, just have patience to try again once I’ve messed up, and try to learn from the mistakes I do make. I have been breaking stuff since I was my sons age, and started taking things apart once I was given tools. I was really good at that part, but it was the reassembly that was tricky.
I suppose that’s what led me to fixing cars, and that developed a good skill set that I will be honing till I can’t hold a screwdriver anymore
Much love, and thank you for the kind words.
I only have a damaging bench but hope to progress to a repair bench someday. 😅
Very helpful post - my Mrs is getting into tinkering herself.
Most useful tool I've bought her is a "pinpointer" - a mini metal detector for when springbars or springs go flying across the room 😂👍
I misread and thought you just meant a stick magnet, I have not heard of this pinpointer, I will have to check it out!
I misread and thought you just meant a stick magnet, I have not heard of this pinpointer, I will have to check it out!
eBay about £25 👍