How To Restore a Vintage Jewel Press

[@michaelemig]

Just picked up a vintage C. E. Marshal jewel set and I can’t wait to dial it up thanks to your wonderful support! You have helped me sooooo much in my journey into this world. I’m fascinated by these mechanical marvels and the tools are just as amazing! As a long time cabinet maker, I know how important it is to have the right tools for the job! Thank you for sharing your experience again amigo!

[@watchrepairtutorials]

The study of Horology is fascinating and considering so much remains unchanged over the last 400 years is incredible. When you look at these machines and think about how they were able to pull this off a couple hundred years ago makes it even more amazing. Just like Chippendale, Green and Greene and all the old cabinetmakers were able to craft magnificent works of art by hand. It's almost unbelievable

[@bennyh6258]

Another neat trick to add to my... 'Alex Hamilton's book of mystics and sorcery' Thanks Alex. Keep em coming!

[@watchrepairtutorials]

LOL, Thanks! Will do!

[@Gmastertech]

Love this video. I have about 5 of these sets to restore and this will help a lot .

[@watchrepairtutorials]

That’s awesome! Let me know how they turn out. Did we talk today?

[@michaelemig]

It is almost unbelievable! I think what I find incredible also is the number of precision tools that are out there to repair and maintain these tiny marvels! It’s a dangerous space for a tool junky like me to stop into. I’m not going to be bored for the next 40 years. I’ll be sure to bother you again when I get stumped or confused amigo. Keep sharing please.

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Just remember that it's not always advantageous to buy the most expensive tool unless precision is required. Professional watchmakers, who are certified by manufacturers have to adhere to certain equipment standards in order to be certified by that manufacturer. So they will typically always stay with Bergeron tools. Most home watchmakers are on somewhat of a budget so it's good to have alternatives to the more expensive tools when it's not gonna cause damage to the movement

[@michaelemig]

Another fine point and a good reminder. I’m a hobbyist and I won’t need to have a high end tool as I really won’t be using it much I’m sure. I was thinking of getting an inexpensive Chinese made new tool when I stumbled on a sweet deal on a complete set that was priced below other comparable tools and I got it for a bargain! As much as I like cool tools, I like a good deal way more. I appreciate your point. Don’t buy it if you don’t need it. Like I tell my teenage son, when he wants something…be like nature, nature only takes what it needs. Keep advising us Alex. You are a wealth of wisdom and knowledge!

[@albertmeyer8983]

Best tutorial watchmaking vids ever! Thanks!

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Wow, thanks! I appreciate you.

[@MyRetroWatches]

Brilliant idea Alex. Thanks for showing us

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Hey buddy, hope everything is well with you. Thanks for stopping by to see me.

[@rossjackson3670]

How good is this? Brilliant. This is what experience is like. Without it, the industry cannot move forward. Thank you so much for sharing these gems with us. This, as you said, is something I can do. Great fun. Thank you

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Thank you Ross. I am sure there are plenty of people who have worn out Jeweling and staking sets.

[@rossjackson3670]

@@watchrepairtutorials would you be offended if I tried this process to attempting to black polish a screw head?

[@watchrepairtutorials]

@@rossjackson3670 of course not. But I don’t think this abrasive paper will work. I use diamond lapping paper on glass and you need to be able to apply more pressure and go done to a finer grit to get a real black polish.

[@rossjackson3670]

@@watchrepairtutorials OK. Thank you for taking the time to reply. Learning so much. Understanding more and more. Great fun. Sad man. Ha ha

[@horstb29]

Thanks for sharing Alex.

[@WoodandWatch]

Thanks for the videos Alex, I always learn something!

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Ever stop learning brother.

[@boydsargeant7496]

Thanks Alex! As always top content explained in a easy to understand way. Ta.

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Glad you liked it Boyd. Don’t have an old jeweling set?

[@boydsargeant7496]

@@watchrepairtutorials I bought a Chinese Horia set about 2 years ago for £100. I would like a set like yours sometime so I could use for reaming as well. I tend to only buy when I have to. Received my new Bergeron presto 5 spoke puller this weekend after nearly 1 year of waiting from CousinsUK!

[@watchrepairtutorials]

@@boydsargeant7496 nice. it’s funny you mentioned the Chinese Horia tool. I had so many people asking me about it. I bought one and I was going to give it a review. Then it broke. so now I’m gonna do a little video on how to fix it.

[@amandagelien9612]

Thank You Alex mine are not chipped but being persnickety I going to polish them😊 Useful Video as always

[@watchrepairtutorials]

You’re welcome Amanda. I have this weird thing about tool condition that goes back to the days when I first went to work and the boss asked to look at my tools. He looked at me and said, your tools look like shit, is that a representation of the work I can expect. Ouch.

[@normshafer2243]

Thank you Alex. I am always learning from you! Can you tell me where to buy Seitz parts missing from my set?

[@watchrepairtutorials]

ofrei in the US, cousinsuk and perrinwatch parts. Literally everywhere.

[@todds2248]

I just invested in a vintage large size Seitz tool set. It came with a large jewel "disc" that is said to be for this purpose. It does a pretty good job. I have been slowly buying up the few pushers and reamers the set was missing. I'm still trying to learn all the things this tool set can do.

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Man, good deal. It does SO much. I love em. Such a valuable tool if you are working on anything pre 1930.

[@frodriguezpc]

Excellent, thanks for sharing!!! A part II on dressing reamers?

[@watchrepairtutorials]

You can’t. Take too much off and the jewel will crack. New ones are still available.

[@johnhannon]

Thanks Alex. This is very useful.

[@watchrepairtutorials]

You're welcome John. I figure there are many out there who have an issue like this.

[@olsonmaxx]

Hey Alex, fantastic video as always. Do you have any tips on how to restore the concave pushers, or pushers that have become mushroomed on the outer diameter? I imagine it's not quite as simple. A lathe would work, I guess, but not everyone has that kind of gear.

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Seitz pushers can still be bought new.

[@tomholloway7566]

Thanks Alex, as always informative

[@watchrepairtutorials]

My pleasure Tom. Good to see you again.

[@GentlemensWatchServices]

The greatest value of this video for me was Alex metaphorically looking over his glasses and saying “you know should be doing this”. Polished my staking set tools too while I was at it. Thanks for the nudge.

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Love that! Hope it helped.

[@OceanST955]

Alex -a huge thanks for your videos. They are the best tutorial videos I have seen, and give "real world" tips. Just one question - how do I polish an oiler? In the lubrication video you stress the importance of a well polished oiler, but how do we do that? Thanks (sorry to go back in time to a previous video). Bill from Scotland.

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Easiest way is to use a rotary tool with a hard felt pad. Use green dialux or polonium and touch the tip on the wheel for 5-10 seconds and then check it. Too much time on the wheel will burn through the tip.

[@OceanST955]

Many thanks for responding. I have a rotary tool on its way from eBay!

[@adfpv1153]

Great video Alex thanks 👍👍

[@watchrepairtutorials]

My pleasure!

[@MiguelBricaBrac]

Should this practice also be applied To the stumps? I have a Vintage Favorite and the stumps surface looks like it is going to mark a movement plate if I press down

[@watchrepairtutorials]

As long as you keep them flat, sure why not.

[@ErvinSalma]

Great video! Thnx for sharing :)

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Thanks for watching my friend

[@tiochips]

Thx for that. Hope there is comming more like that. How to check used steaking set befor buing.

[@watchrepairtutorials]

That’s a tough one. Hopefully this will give you some hope that many of the stakes can be easily corrected.

[@Mars-zgblbl]

You could ask the seller for close-up photos, to see how much effort is required to restore the pushers

[@watchrepairtutorials]

@@Mars-zgblbl you could if you can get them to take that many micro pictures that would be helpful.

[@HorologyHubub]

Wonderful sir thank you.

[@watchrepairtutorials]

You are most welcome

[@WatchRestorationCottage]

Alex, this is genius. I still believe you have the most practical videos on KZbin. Thank you for all you do. Can I ask, what are you using to blow off the dust between grits?

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Can’t remember the brand but i did link to it in the video description

[@2crazedcubans]

Do you have a video on your microscope set up?

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Sure do, The One Tool That Will Make You a Better Watchmaker kzbin.info/www/bejne/qnLXcoenrK5od5Y

[@WatchWithMike]

Excellent! 😀 OK, I have to be that guy and ask, is there a clever way to refinish the pushers with the spring loaded pins?

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Take em out Mike. There should be a screw that comes out to remove the spring.

[@WatchWithMike]

@@watchrepairtutorials excellent advice, Alex! I did not know that. Gotta love Swiss ingenuity! 😁

[@todds2248]

The old set I got, they were very gunked up and many didn't spring back. Push in and turn the slotted screw on the bottom a half turn and the guts should come out (spring and the pin). I soaked them in Naptha, dried and reassembled. It made a huge difference.

[@vintagetimexzig1343]

invaluable. thanks!

[@watchrepairtutorials]

You're welcome my friend. Thank you

[@markflanagan6894]

Thanks for the great video! Question: What brand is that air blower and where did you get it?

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Check the video description. 😀

[@markflanagan6894]

@watchrepairtutorials Thank you. Will do.

[@mikebruegger8654]

Could lapping them be inherently flatter? Flatter and more jewel contact?

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Considering this is done between the upright pusher and the flat table, I don’t know how much flatter it can be. 0.001 mm? Yes, you could put it in a collet and face it a lathe, but most home watchmakers don’t have that as an option.

[@shanejones7331]

Hello Alex I just got one of these a few days ago, the spring that holds the pusher in place was floating freely when I got the pusher unstuck from it, do you know how it’s supposed to sit in there securely?

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Are you taking about the retractable spring inside a pusher or the spring on the part that is being pushed by the lever?

[@shanejones7331]

@@watchrepairtutorials the part that is pushed by the lever

[@atcpilotsc]

100

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Thank you