Is there a doctor in the house?
Are any of you WatchCrunch users out there experienced machinists and/or metalworkers?
I had this hair-brained idea, and I am not even sure if it is economically feasible, but I am wondering, what would it take to start with an old, plastic, resin watch case, measure it precisely in all dimensions, and then produce a stainless steel version of that case?
What do metalwork guys charge for custom work like that?
I'm not even sure if I can afford such a thing. Right now, it's a pie-in-the-sky kind of idea. I'm just putting feelers out.
And I guess while we're at it, we'd have to design a custom-shaped mineral glass crystal for it, too.
Thoughts?
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I'll just start by saying that when you change materials, you generally have a slight change in dimensions due to different properties.
For a one-off, you're looking at "prototype" machinists. I'd expect this to be at least a four figure job, for the first iteration which will indeed be a prototype.
I'd love to know if a CMM can measure things this small, especially internal geometry. I have no idea how tiny the probes go. All of this type of machinery means overhead costs in addition to steep hourly rates for skilled labor....
Actually, how the heck they machine the holes for spring pins has always been a mystery to me. I assume that requires some special little machine. Anyone that has tried to use a cordless drill too close to a wall or other obstacle should see the tool clearance challenge.
I'll just start by saying that when you change materials, you generally have a slight change in dimensions due to different properties.
For a one-off, you're looking at "prototype" machinists. I'd expect this to be at least a four figure job, for the first iteration which will indeed be a prototype.
I'd love to know if a CMM can measure things this small, especially internal geometry. I have no idea how tiny the probes go. All of this type of machinery means overhead costs in addition to steep hourly rates for skilled labor....
Actually, how the heck they machine the holes for spring pins has always been a mystery to me. I assume that requires some special little machine. Anyone that has tried to use a cordless drill too close to a wall or other obstacle should see the tool clearance challenge.
Ok, so I am gonna' add this to my "projects to do after I win the lottery" list! 🤣
Ya money is gonna be the biggest obstacle for sure lol
I wonder if the case could be 3D-printed, with tough, ABS plastic (the kind they use for LEGO) as an alternative? Thoughts?
3D Metal printer...
3D Metal printer...
Yeah, the 3D metal print will be your best bet @TwiceTollingClock
Yeah, the 3D metal print will be your best bet @TwiceTollingClock
Have you had any experience making things with a 3-D metal printer? Do you know what kind of costs are involved?
Have you had any experience making things with a 3-D metal printer? Do you know what kind of costs are involved?
I do not, but because of the way it works, (additive construction vs. negative construction), your one piece will be much less expensive than one made via a casting or machining process.
I've been interested in it for awhile, so I have a basic grasp of the benefits of 3D printing over normal processes. Heck, you could even commission the same shop/person to make you a metal print and also additional plastic/resin ones in different colors which would cost less per piece, but cost more overall.
I'll just start by saying that when you change materials, you generally have a slight change in dimensions due to different properties.
For a one-off, you're looking at "prototype" machinists. I'd expect this to be at least a four figure job, for the first iteration which will indeed be a prototype.
I'd love to know if a CMM can measure things this small, especially internal geometry. I have no idea how tiny the probes go. All of this type of machinery means overhead costs in addition to steep hourly rates for skilled labor....
Actually, how the heck they machine the holes for spring pins has always been a mystery to me. I assume that requires some special little machine. Anyone that has tried to use a cordless drill too close to a wall or other obstacle should see the tool clearance challenge.
Agreed, a very expensive venture. A Micro CMM would be able to measure, say, spring bar holes and position. Micro CMM's have probes of 0.1mm and smaller. A Shadowgraph could also be used. Ex Qualty Assurance Engineer and metrologist here 😀.
Agreed, a very expensive venture. A Micro CMM would be able to measure, say, spring bar holes and position. Micro CMM's have probes of 0.1mm and smaller. A Shadowgraph could also be used. Ex Qualty Assurance Engineer and metrologist here 😀.
It seems like you'd be able to find old schematics or user manuals for this kind of info, but as of yet, I have failed to find such data using a Google search. 😕
I wonder if the case could be 3D-printed, with tough, ABS plastic (the kind they use for LEGO) as an alternative? Thoughts?
Once scanned it could be 3D printed use metal.
I'll just start by saying that when you change materials, you generally have a slight change in dimensions due to different properties.
For a one-off, you're looking at "prototype" machinists. I'd expect this to be at least a four figure job, for the first iteration which will indeed be a prototype.
I'd love to know if a CMM can measure things this small, especially internal geometry. I have no idea how tiny the probes go. All of this type of machinery means overhead costs in addition to steep hourly rates for skilled labor....
Actually, how the heck they machine the holes for spring pins has always been a mystery to me. I assume that requires some special little machine. Anyone that has tried to use a cordless drill too close to a wall or other obstacle should see the tool clearance challenge.
Actually I saw a case drawing once, and the springbar bores were not coaxial. Each was at a slight angle to provide drill access. Far more producible, and the springbars don't really care.
It seems like you'd be able to find old schematics or user manuals for this kind of info, but as of yet, I have failed to find such data using a Google search. 😕
If it's plastic, the tooling and the final desired product have different dimensions. Basically think of a lump of raw cookie dough, then how it looks coming out of the oven, then when cooled.
I used to always be in disbelief when I'd hear about things that nobody could really make anymore. I've seen enough to get a good grasp of it now. Things go through trial and error development, documentation is imperfect (or lost, illegible, destroyed), a process, tool, or man becomes relied on and then damaged, lost, forgotten. Any reliance on an outside supplier or vendor becomes a weak link dependent on their survival and good graces.
All of these things are akin to a crayon drawing by one's child. It is esteemed and valued for a while, but eventually it gets worn, dated, replaced, discarded. Everything can't be kept. I'm a preservationist too, but everything has limitations.
Actually I saw a case drawing once, and the springbar bores were not coaxial. Each was at a slight angle to provide drill access. Far more producible, and the springbars don't really care.
This is fascinating but makes so much sense in hindsight. Spring bars have some wiggle to them, slop in the alignment. And the holes have to be a tad loose anyway. On top of that, they're spring-loaded so slop will not be as apparent anyway.
And this is the problem with the cloning idea. There are generations worth of subtle details like this that are utterly invisible and practically unknowable to people that don't make a living practicing them.