Watchmaking: Screw Making Techniques

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In this video, Mike and Alastair demonstrate the techniques involved in making watch screws. This video is a continuation of a previous one: • Watchmaking: Machining...
This video was sponsored by Brilliant.

[@chronovaengineering]

To try everything Brilliant has to offer-free-for a full 30 days, visit brilliant.org/ChronovaEngineering/. The first 200 of you will get 20% off Brilliant’s annual premium subscription.

[@Blue.star1]

@4:39 Are you using chewing gum to remove the material

[@dieSpinnt]

Thanks for the educational video and sharing your craftsmanship:) Regarding hardening: What alternatives do you plan to use for borax/boric acid? Both are not available for home users. AND FOR A GOOD REASON: In June 2010, ECHA added boric acid to the candidate list for SVHC (substance of very high concern). After the CLP regulation and the REACH amendment regulation 790/2009/EC came into force, boric acid was labeled as toxic to reproduction[1]. Mixtures that contain free boric acid in a concentration of 5.5% or more must also be labeled as toxic to reproduction according to the GHS regulation. [1] Meaning extremely harmful (teratogenic) for reproductive function or the child in the womb. So no joke! (see Contergan ... which also fell into this category)

[@marcn8750]

Guys, this is a wonderful video. I an a vintage and NEO-vintage watch hobbyist in Singapore and Girard-Perregaux watches are my passion. Thank you for making this video. Question: I sometimes have problems removing caseback screws because of grime and such. Eventually when the screw is removed, the screw head is damaged. a) Is there a way for me to recut the screw heard slot in my home workshop? b) I sometimes want to order a new screw, but don't know the size. I measure with calipers and such but its still a hit and miss thing. How can I accurately get the screw size? Is there a chart to look up perhaps? or best ot contact Girard-Perregaux and ask them for the size used? c) Can you recommend the best place to order stainless steel screws from? Many thanks in advanced and best wishes from Singapore. Marc

[@janchrzciciel]

Please don't stop making this series, it's so great and insightful!

[@shanemeyer9224]

I have to say single point threading a 0.6mm screw is insane

[@JoshuaZiesmer]

Someone had to at some point, you can't make a die without a tap, and a tap can only be made with a die, or single point turning, or grinding I guess, but that's probably a more modern thing. Thinking about how we got from using rocks for hammers to the machinery and precision we have now screws with the brain a bit

[@mehmettemel8725]

@AuschwitzSoccerRef. You mean 0.2mm

[@howardosborne8647]

​@@mehmettemel8725an error of one decimal point is near enough for a country job😂

[@ifindmetal]

Right I was thinking same

[@michaelslee4336]

@@JoshuaZiesmer Of course you can make a die without a tap. They are ground, not cut with a tap.

[@Bluechip288]

I’ve been machining for close to 55 years. I’m always impressed to see how things are made.

[@roadshowautosports]

And I am a 55 years old apprentice without a master, tell me about it!!!!

[@sky173]

The fact that I, personally, stress over turning a 1 inch rod, while you seem to be so cool and collect making something so small and amazing. It's brilliant. Thanks for sharing.

[@dave-j-k]

As someone more used to making 6" scale traction engines, this is an amazing insight into tiny engineering, thanks.

[@Dudleymiddleton]

Toothpick becomes telegraph pole! Very intricate engineering thank you for sharing!

[@machfiver753]

I've seen incredible levels of accuracy and precision done by hand using machinery that to look at you'd swear it was done by a CNC robot. Watches that take up to 80 hours or more just to assemble, and God knows how many hours to make each part. It's amazing to erm... watch

[@LaLaLand.Germany]

Go-ly, I love that lathe! Clean as a whistle, looks as bought yesterday. I´m looking for years now but anything affordable is rather junk and I´m more broke than alive...

[@JimNichols]

I bought a lathe 35 odd years ago and having never even turned on one proceeded to create a saw mill from a pile of scrap sawmill parts and pictures I had of the various components that were missing ( like the V wheels for the trolley) I thought that was difficult so here I am laughing in ignorant bliss at the perception of "difficult" Great video, spectacular oration, great videography and sharing your passion in a quality video for me to ride along with living my life vicariously through you makers of the world is priceless.

[@warrior4christ777]

I was difficult don't kid yourself. What you did with the saw mill was awesome inpirering in it self.hard to compare the 2.

[@williambrandondavis6897]

Lmao. The difference between someone with an iq of 100 and someone with an IQ of 140. 100 IQ thinks they are really smart, they don’t see the horizon. 140 IQ can see the horizon of their limitations and understands how stupid everyone really is, including themselves. You built a bandsaw, complicated if your IQ is 100. But only someone with an average IQ would think building a bandsaw mill is that complicated. A smart guy made the first one, after that it is all monkey see monkey do. You copied something at best. Plagiarizing doesn’t take a lot of brain power.

[@ThomasRonnberg]

That borax pot heat treat technique was super interesting

[@WorkingViews]

Thank you so much for sharing. I want to start working on small parts. Amazing work. I love how many steps there are and the end result is not only beautiful but durable. Slotted screws will never die.

[@rjwh67220]

I know absolutely nothing about metal work, but I find this to be both amazing and fascinating.

[@arachnipope]

Now you know a little bit. That's the joy of it.

[@solarfinder]

The craftsmanship is beautiful and fantastic. Great job!!

[@georgewolf7063]

LOL! Just last night I was in fact watching your previous screw making video, then I checked your video gallery for the finishing techniques. Thank you for posting these!

[@unklejon4690]

My dad was doing this and SMALLER down to thousandths back in the 1960’s at Ferranti in Manchester. He was classified as Experimental CL turner and his job was to develop and specify all the job settings for the guys on the main production line.

[@grottonisred6541]

Was he at the meter works in Hollinwood?

[@unklejon4690]

@@grottonisred6541 no he was at Wythenshawe right by end of the runway at Manchester airport

[@lindenhoch8396]

Very pleasant video, it's always a joy to see artisans at work. In this case you could call it alchemy, he's making steel worth it's weight in gold...

[@JustaBloke-ls7wb]

An absolute pleasure to watch !

[@DK-vx1zc]

Very interesting! Great videography and narration. Love seeing the Quorn in action.. Thanks for sharing

[@petenztube8592]

Everything's so clean!

[@simongee8928]

A lot of dedication and concentration for one wee screw - ! 😊

[@Rubensgardens.Skogsmuseum]

It would be nice to have a glossary in the description. Like the past you use for cleaning.

[@bengad.1724]

Thanks for making this video. Much enjoyed.

[@avenuex3731]

8:11 I wish that any part of my shop were as clean as inside your gear box.

[@nigelscott1922]

A nice looking Myford there. I worked for them in Beeston back in the mid 70s a, pity cheap Chinese stuff took over the market but they’re still a great machine today.

[@johnmoorefilm]

Hello friend : i have to say, your videos look great, sharp and bright ( I’ve been a working cameraman for 34 years!)

[@KhawjaAziz]

Brilliant craftsmanship..

[@TheRecreationalMachinist]

Beautiful work. Thanks for sharing 👍 🇬🇧

[@larrybud]

What's the process to make sure the screwdriver slot is centered properly?

[@42Hertzer]

Thank you for sharing!

[@YooProjects]

Very interesting method. Thanks for sharing 💪

[@andrewdolinskiatcarpathian]

Brilliant in more ways than one. 👏👏👍😀

[@graedonmunro1793]

more to it than meets the eye!

[@chrissartain4430]

Great Video !!

[@zacmilne9423]

I really love your videos. Do you have a link or any info in the smallest watch gear you’ve ever encountered?

[@Digital-Dental-Designing-Tech]

I was looking for making inside thread for this kind of screws.

[@marchhare1980]

practice and patience , I recently made a balance staff with the end pivots at 0.11 mm

[@dr.emilschaffhausen4683]

It's amazing and awesome. Now how the hell did they do it in the early 1800s?

[@jimsvideos7201]

Potassium nitrate, that's a handy trick among several in this.

[@howardosborne8647]

Those tiny collets are lovely precission kit. I guess that heating the screw in molten crystals is often called a hot salt bath?

[@robertbrandywine]

Nitre bluing.

[@opieshomeshop]

The lathe says MyFord. It should say *Binford 8000 **_Ultra max More Power_* . You need to get the right sticker on there. 😁

[@PaulStClair-or3gj]

Myford IS a manufacturer of small lathes. I had one for many years making model steam engines mainly. I do not think they make watchmaker lathes. Fabulous video and superb workmanship.

[@opieshomeshop]

@@PaulStClair-or3gj Yep, my comment went WAY over your head. Some people, will understand.....

[@SevenDeMagnus]

So cool, it's amazing you found your passion (mission in life) early. Is this method going to pass Vacheron Constantin's standards? I mean is this how they create their parts and finishes? God bless.

[@JIMMYBUSHIDO]

When I was a teenager. ( I'm 74 now ) A relative of my girlfriend at the time who was a watchmaker showed me how he screwcut a tiny little screw , 300 tpi !!! By hand. I was an apprentice toolmaker, and thought I worked to fine limits. But 300 tpi is just over 3 thousands of an inch pitch. Put me in my place alright

[@bac1308]

The machining was fantastic, but the most satisfying part of this video were those solid kachunks when changing gears to do the single point threading.

[@howardosborne8647]

I noticed one of the change gears is made from brass....likely to be a homemade gear.

[@Tasarran]

Wow, this is a LOT of work to make one screw...

[@jgalvezluna]

Great video!

[@alf3071]

3:03 that screw is wobbly as hell

[@avt-CNC]

Great job. And I made a roller chain for a 1:18 motorcycle))

[@tweedrhino]

Would you mind sharing the type of steel you are using? I’m using 41L40 (a lead included chromoly) but somehow feel silver steel (say A1 in the US) is a better choice.

[@SkillfulMan]

nice work

[@penfold7800]

As far as i can remember, on single point threading, whats happening is the Tool Stock is on a precision Automatic Feed that moves the tool towards the Head Stock/Collet the distance of the Thread Pitch for each exact 360° rotation of the Head Stock/Work piece. The shape of the thread itself, called The Form is made by the shape the cutting edges of the tool is ground to, called The Profile i think.

[@davidforbes6250]

Impressive!

[@victoryfirst2878]

7:21 mic for Super 7 lathe, you do mean MYFORD 7 lathe right ?? I like your video on screw making Sir.

[@6NBERLS]

Most excellent.

[@Dudas314]

Looking forward to "making of the 0.6 mm threading die" ;)

[@HOTAIR83]

For polishing, you can test a nail polishing polish file.

[@jozefbubez6116]

I think we need to be careful bringing emery to the lathe. Bits of abrasive on the lathe ways will accelerate wear.

[@deepakvyas1976]

Do you not clean the taper before installing the collets?

[@Raul28153]

It is interesting how you terminate the cut when threading getting the tool to stop precisely in the same place each time. It does not appear that the lathe has a brake. So you are - - what - - in the lowest back gear and shutting the machine off well before reaching that last bit of the cut and then advancing by hand? Or are you hand cranking the spindle the whole time?

[@nomen_omen]

like always beautiful even music

[@eezyclsmooth9035]

What fascinates and intrigues me is, Modern tools are used here. How did the craftsmen of the 18th and 19th century accomplish these tasks??

[@jeepowner2675]

As a construction worker i loathe flathead screws. I dont care if they are made of diamonds, I still find a way to mar up the head and make it ugly. Nice job though very impressive

[@TonyGlynn58]

I think I would have hired a gyprock panel lifter. Assemble on the lifter, lift and position. Good result however.

[@hoilst265]

I appreciate the Simpsons reference. Buzz Aldrin would be proud.

[@bambukouk]

main difficulty in these small sizes is getting good quality dies even expensive ones are a bit of a lottery (ask me how I know... 🤬) on the other hand I had success with rolling dies (also veery expensive 🤪) I love you channel !!! 👍

[@derkarhu5079]

I've been thinking about getting a couple of rolled thread taps in 4/5/6 mm, as these are most-used in 'everyday' applications (for me), if you've used rolled-form dies, I'd be interested in your experience therewith...

[@bambukouk]

@@derkarhu5079 this might be of interest to you? kzbin.info/www/bejne/r3zXmYOPerCghtE I am using this type: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aqvMqKGhq5p5mq8 I didn't use large ones (you are talking about) because they are easy to do with conventional dies.

[@derkarhu5079]

thanks for the info...the lathe work to 0,741, and parallel ... lovely! i see why they so excellent for miniature(isn't) screw sizes, but the improved strength of the thread could be important, even in larger sizes, although speed and tool life in a production environment are probably top priority. Domo arigato!

[@pacebula84]

- How much does this screw cost? - Yes

[@tomthompson7400]

Thats tasty work.

[@salomao1971]

Apaixonante .

[@brucebanner9911]

Nevermind the screw, show me how that tap&die was made!!!

[@scout2400]

Where do you source your emery boards and sanding blocks? Are they available in the US? Thanks.

[@chronovaengineering]

I just make them by cutting strips of emery paper and using double sided tape to attach the paper to the plywood.

[@Lecram066]

Can you tell about your watch lathe, it is not stock? I love your videos!

[@chronovaengineering]

The watchmakers lathe is something we built using components from several machines but we also made some of the parts ourselves, such as the headstock. Thanks for watching!

[@Carambolero]

Might be asking same question, How the heck are all the small parts (screw as well) are made before the machine industry?!

[@kuroschasghari]

Nice video, however it make sense to show to apprentices in last section that the need to stay in gear, taking out the support (not dis-engaging) reverse the driving direction and again give more depth to your screw depth. But that is basic knowledge and every beginners shall know that, thought you?

[@derkarhu5079]

would be nice to know the name of that 'blue stuff', and, maybe, a link to its manufacturer? back to video...btw, nice camera work

[@chronovaengineering]

If you search for 'Curator Bluing Salts', you should be able to find it from most horological suppliers, including eBay. Thanks for watching!

[@asvarien]

A well adjusted Myford? Did you get it a therapist?

[@halonothing1]

OMG They're teaching ants to sort tiny screws in space!

[@astridvallati4762]

Are you using Metric Threads, British Association ( BA) or Swiss Lowenherz Thread?

[@jackelam3948]

Metric threads are used in modern Watchmaking 👍🏼

[@pirminkogleck4056]

Hy there ! i have a Question about 1 screwcutting with a Die . i have to make about 12mm lengh of thread and i had my previous Die clogged up with a Broken Failed screw example , so now , how can i prevent this when cutting such long thrread ? i already tried to Anneal the material beforehand to make the cut itself smoother, of course i use cutting oil, but no Die Holder because i cant hold my Workpiece in a chuck anyway ( it has a a feature on the front wich cant be held in any way) so my go to is to hold the piece with the outcoming M1 part in a Vise and i turn the Dieholder in and out, but it is a scary job and i wondered how watchmakers make longer threads i would be happy if u could give me any tips ! Best regards from vienna , Pirmin

[@chronovaengineering]

Hi Pirmin, having a setup for holding the die and workpiece concentric will help a lot. Otherwise, all you can really do is take it slowly and gently, backing off the thread as often as possible. Hope that helps!

[@pirminkogleck4056]

@@chronovaengineering i just started and found that backing of a lot helps a little ! but there is so little room for mistakes since u dont real feel if the thread is being cut or the material starts to warp and twist off. would you recommend to anneal the material ?

[@chronovaengineering]

Annealing generally isn’t necessary unless you’re cutting hardened steel.

[@pirminkogleck4056]

@@chronovaengineering yeah i just found out the hard way that my annealed injector needle just broke off exact where the annealed section ended. i will try to get a workholding setup where i can maintain concetricity. the hard part is that ihave no feeling on a lathe how the screw it self feels. at that lengh (22mm total) it is realy so hard to feel if the part twists and shears apart or if threads are cut, usualy it works good untill 8mm lnegh or so, above that i found M1 realy a pain in the Amour ;)

[@claudio668]

My dear, what white substance is this, where did you put the screw and left it in blue?

[@mattharvey8712]

Bravo.........screw screw.........go acme thread.......cheers

[@fruit5488]

Didn't know rodico was used in machining, thought it was only used in watch servicing and stuff.

[@emexduzentos]

How about building the walls of a house to do so?

[@goonwatchmaker7876]

My ford lathe ? Thank you.🙏🙏

[@johnsmith-zs9jq]

Myford Super 7

[@avenuex3731]

7:31 zounds!

[@paradiselost9946]

i think theres one key element here thats missing. i doubt you are making ONE. maybe im wrong but yeah, fasteners... settng up. why make one? make a whole batch. theyre gunna get used somewhere.

[@cpcoark]

I couldn't catch the name of that green tacking material for removing metal chips. Anyone know? A USA source would help also

[@hyunsudo5666]

rodico

[@jimsvideos7201]

If that isn't available then blue map adhesive - which sounds similar - is common at stationery stores.

[@cpcoark]

@@hyunsudo5666 Thank you. My hearing isn't good so I couldn't catch the name.

[@ronaldbrown5745]

The screw looks large in relation to wristwatch screws.

[@intheshell35ify]

Omg my most tiny screw was about 86 lbs.

[@jab233]

i wish i was that screw. take so much care of me and i feel so delicate :(

[@jackwatchesmongolia8339]

nice 👍

[@MoonSystem1111]

Hmmm....i dont think that the millingcut is in center....

[@DuskTheBatPony]

do all of that and then drop the screw on the ground.

[@user-fh6te9rj3g]

Очень крутая работа.Привет из России)

[@warrior4christ777]

Most expensive screw by weight ever made huh?

[@jab233]

you always talk about the Lathe™ and the way you say it with your mouth is so satisfying. i dont want to know what a Lathe™ is. it will ruin it. thanks

[@OperationAllOut]

What is this lathe make and model

[@johnsmith-zs9jq]

The small one or the bug one? The big one is a Myford Super 7. Don't know what the small one is though

[@victimovtalent6036]

save energy lathe😌

[@ECL..]

Could you make a ball bearing from the balls in the end of a ballpoint pen?

[@Urge38]

Buy one Simple

[@lawrencelibby3607]

Single pointing threads (internal and external) on a CNC lathe might be cheating, but boy does it take stress off the operator (me.)

[@warrior4christ777]

You must be familiar with Joe Pies channel huh?