Another Watch Engraving and Stone Setting Fixture

Christian DeCamillis

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I Use one of my orbitals for these jobs. It makes it easy and quick to adjust especially when doing watches that have a radius surface. I made the collets from brass and included some pictures if those of you who are handy want to make some. The design of the collets makes sure that nothing gets in the way no matter what angle your at.

I used brass because it's easy to machine dense and good for eliminating vibration. You can hold a watch with thermo plastic hot glue etc... on wood or metal pieces. But the more rigid and less vibration you can achieve the easier it will be to engrave since most watches are made of a tougher stainless.

You could use an orbital fixture along with a block of wood or metal attached with some thermoplastic if making collets is an issue for you. At least the positioning of the p[piece will be easier to accomplish. When using a microscope being able to quickly and easily repositioning is essential or you will spend as much time positioning your work as you do engraving it.

The other fixture I n the other thread looks like a good design as well.

Chris
 

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highveldt

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Mar 30, 2011
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South Carolina
Chris;

Nice fixture. I had thought of building one with a center expanding screw, but changed to a side screw with allows me to tighten the collet even with the back on the watch for engraving the back.

Is that a Montana Watch Co. watch case? That is a lovely design you have placed on the case. Do you solder the lugs back to the case afterwards--I assume they are soldered?

Steve
 

don hicks

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Mar 16, 2011
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Pictou,Nova Scotia,Canada
Chris;
Thanks for sharing your collet design, I think they could be handy for many machining operations as well. My list of projects keeps on getting bigger.
Cheers
Don
 

Lonestarr

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Feb 6, 2015
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Richland Washington
Hi Chris

I like what I see on your design....nice. How did you make the brake system for the ball? I would guess a friction pad with a set screw.
I have seen some ball position devices made with a trailer hitch ball, but your ball looks like it was machined for the job.... I also like the clean looks with nothing to get hooked up on...

Bob
 

atexascowboy2011

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Feb 13, 2012
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Lonestar
Google a Wilton Powrarm positioning vise.
Duck carvers use them and I have a couple.
One for my jewelers saw table, as you can get the perfect angle for fatigue free sawing and a large one for sculpting my spurs.
Chris's looks to be custom built.
Norvel Foster, a H&C Texas engraver uses his in lieu of an engraver's ball.
I've tried it but its a PITA for me in that usage.
 

Christian DeCamillis

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Yes it is a Montana Watch case , It is titanium. I assume they laser welded the wire lugs on.

This is a fixture I designed for setting it's basiclly a small work positioner similar to a Wilton. They are avaliable here at Engraver.com click here

We haven't made the collets for the watches commercially. Everyone needs different sizes.
 
Joined
Aug 9, 2014
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Location
Sweden
Design

It is always wonderful to see your design, I hope you will come back with more. From one of your old students in Sweden.
 

monk

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Thanks for this thread Chris. Now it's off to the mill. Anyone have a good source for good brass or bronze.?
Layne
many scoff at the idea. i get real good stock of copper, brass and such from my local junk yard. the people there all know me, and always keep an eye out for the type stuff i look for. best of all, they give it to me for the price they pay !! they get the quality stuff from local manufacturers. much of it is read, or nearly ready to engrave without prepping the surface.
 
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