Do any of you adjust, remove or add links, to your metal watch bracelets (on modern watches)? And if you do what do you use and where did you get it? Is this some thing that is easily done with the right tools?
https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=35867 shows one option, not for the feint hearted although I have used that method several times on cheapo watches with no problem. The bay is full of pin removal tools of various quality.
The cheapo pin removal tool work pretty good. I have one and have used it in several watches that had pins.
There is no need to buy any fancy tools for this task. I personally would avoid the screw type devices, as I feel that tapping the pins in and out with a watchmaker's hammer gives me a better feel for things and more control. All you need is something to hold the bracelet, a set of various diameter pins and a metal holder for them (you could probably skip the holder even if you like), and a small hammer. Here is what I use: Shown for pin removal are a watchmaker's hammer, a set of Bergeon pins, the metal holder for those pins, and a Citizen brand clamp. You clamp the bracelet in the clamp, put the correct sized pin in the metal holder, and tap the pin out. I have been using this set for years and never had any issues removing or setting pins with it. In this case, simpler is better. Cheers, Al
I'd sort of imagined a Toffee hammer would be what a watchmaker uses, that thing you could rob a liquor store with lol
Toffee hammer? Sorry I have no idea what that means, other than a hammer made of toffee, which would likely not be very effective, and sticky to boot, and I have a rule that I don't eat at the bench.... The hammer I use is a pretty standard watchmakers hammer. The thing is these hammers have a special mode that means you can hammer with varying degrees of force - unlike most hammers that you can only hit hard with, this one you can hit hard, or lightly tap - amazing technology built into these tools! On a more serious note, there are many tasks when I'm using the staking set where I don't even use a hammer - just hitting the stake with a set of tweezers is enough force... Cheers, Al
Thanks for the input everyone I appreciate it! And I'll never pay to have my bracelets adjusted again...guy around the corner wants $15 US to remove/add links (that's per link) these tools will pay for themselves quickly. EDIT: Yes simpler is always better, thanks Al, watch makers hammer and pins it is!
Oh and I looked up "Toffee hammer" and see what it is now - a hammer used to break up toffee. When we make peanut brittle every Xmas (hard toffee withy peanuts - time for making this is coming up fast!) we use the back of an ice cream scoop to break it up - again no need for a fancy tool, and you can use what's on hand to get the job done.