SHOP TOUR

Some of the machinery and shop tools I use in the repair and restoration of clocks, watches and other related items. Click on title for Pictures. Use browser Back button to return.

Pictures of shop from ground breaking to present. All work done by myself and my son Steve except pouring of slab and putting on the shingles.
Size is 16' X 32' (640 sq. ft.) Large drill press, belt sander, bead blaster and anything that creates dust are located in garage. Two storage buildings provide space for my "junque".

Basically a tabletop mill with 2-axis table with built in rotary table. Microscope in spindle with crosshairs to align work and microscope in table to accurately read vernier scales in X and Y directions, this eliminates errors caused by backlash in handwheel lead screws. Spindle can be set at angle, has fine spindle feed adjustment and head can be raised and lowered. Table and spindle is moved normally by handwheel or with a small knob capable of increments of 1 ten thousandth of an inch.

A very handy size lathe to fill the gap between the 9" South Bend and a watchmakers lathe. I have a 1/3 hp 90 volt Permanent Magnet motor with variable speed/torque control.  Includes a 3, 4 jaw and Jacobs chuck for spindle. A quick change toolpost cuts setup time down. I have completely refurbished this lathe, installed new spindle bearings, stripped and repainted.

Built in the 40's this lathe has been well maintained and can hold tolerances in the .002" range . I have a Aloris quick change tool post on it, also a vertical slide it can be used as a horizontal mill, and lever operated collet holder I put a 1/2 hp PM motor with an electronic speed control. A quick-change gearbox allows cutting standard and metric threads. Have a toolpost grinderset up for it to do precision grinding. A digimatic DRO has been installed for repetitive and precision machining.

This small mill is deceiving in the power and stability it has. Variable speed motor and 2 geared speed ranges makes this a very versatile mill. Spindle is MT3 and have an adapter to allow use of quick change spring collets  I have set it up with a stepping motor on the X axis and the Sherline CNC rotary table with Sherline tailstock. With a switching arrangement on the table it allows me to automatically cut gears. With gearcutter in spindle the table is powered to the right cutting one tooth space. An adjustable stop reverses the table allowing the cutter to travel thru the same tooth space as previously cut. When table reaches the other stop the rotary table indexes to next tooth and procedure continues. Pics will show setup

Model RF30PF, Powered by a 2HP 3PH motor controlled by a Variable Frequency Drive which allows programming for acceleration, deceleration, torque and many other features including readout for spindle rpm. The spindle has a power downfeed (Z) and table has a power feed (X). A Heidenhain DRO is mounted in the X and Y axis. A digimatic DRO is on the Z axis. Accessorys include a CNC rotary table, a 8" rotary table a 6" Kurt vise and the typical accessorys as boring head, set of R8 collets, set of quick change spring collets, indicators, center finders etc.

This drill press is capable of 60 to 12,000 RPM. It has a VFD (Variable Frequency Drive) which allows full torque at very low rpms and adjustable acceleration/deceleration. Motor is 3 phase, 1/2 HP. Head is raised hydraulically by operating lever on left. Lowering is done by pushing lever rearward. The spindle is lever operated with about 4" of travel. The chuck is an Albrecht keyless with diamond grit jaws for gripping carbide. 

A Very useful and timesaving tool when making parts. I have used it for smoothing out cuts when spoking wheels or making skeleton clock plates. I made this from a kit that was just the raw castings. A 1/4 hp Variable speed motor and controller allows picking a speed to minimize vibration and how much precision and control is desired. Kit is available from: http://www.statecollegecentral.com/metallathe/index.html

Recently picked up at a regional mart. Still need to find cutters and collets for it. If anyone has info on this item please contact me.

 A watchmakers lathe can be useful for cutting small and medium sized gears. This lathe has a ball bearing headstock spindle. Attachments are a compound slide, a vertical slide-spindle with an indexing plate attached to spindle. The index can be moved to headstock spindle and vertical spindle driven from the jackshaft depending on where you want to mount gear cutter and wheel blank. For close-up of compound slide and vertical slide with index spindle click HERE

This is a typical watchmakers lathe with flip-over "T" rest. New hammertone paint has been applied to lathe and motor. Aluminum mounting plate has been finished in black wrinkle finish paint. Electronic speed control has been added but may also be used with foot control.Turning is done in much the same way as using a wood lathe.

This lathe is used much the same way as a machine lathe is used. A compound slide rest allows tool to be positioned by turning handles with a graduated dial so measurements can be made in .001" increments, angles may also be cut. Notice the 4 way quick change tool holder.

These are wet wheels formally used in the fitting of eyeglasses into frames. The one on left is used to bevel the edges while holding glass in the hands. The grinder on right uses interchangeable templates to get the overall shape for glasses type. I have used these for modifying watch crystals and hope to fabricate some templates to make odd shaped crystals

Great for welding metal other than brass or copper (has to be metal of high electrical resistance). 2 ranges, 0-10 and 0-50 Watt-Seconds. I have been able to weld a hairspring but not sure it would be feasible. Can weld small mainsprings in the pocket watch and desk clock but why bother unless there's no other way.

Used to press jewels into watch plates. I have used it to press bushings in small clocks.

These come in many sizes and varieties. These are 2 common large sets. Used to mount wheels on arbors, closing holes etc. These sets are an indispensable item for a watchmaker. Larger and more robust ones are available for clock work.

This is a dual pen unit similar to a sand blaster but has 2 pens that dispensesaluminum oxide(diamatine) (35u) in one pen and baking soda in the other. The orifices are as small as .006" with a sapphire tip. The aluminum oxide can cut very hard materials such as carbide. Useful to cut holes in glass and do "frosting" on glass and metals. The baking soda is useful for cleaning parts such as pinion leaves as it is non-destructive.

A good microscope is very handy for close-up inspections and fitting of small parts. They are commonly referred to as dissecting or stereo "zoom" microscopes and can be found very reasonable at lab and university auctions. They have a typical range of 10-60X.

This is a homemade unit with a foot-controlled solenoid for the air. Also an adjustable air regulator controls the air to the hand held nozzle. A fluorescent light is inside the unit. Electrician's gloves were used. Great for removing paint and general cleaning of parts. Soft metals can be frosted or given a matte finish with this unit

Alexander engraver, can also be used as a light duty milling machine.

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