Thanks for your reply. Here is a link to the driver I ordered last night. Fingers crossed it fits
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006OBFK...etailBullets_secondary_view_div_1482591029667
Somebody revived an old thread, but regardless, I think the most important advise is to size and shape the screwdriver tip for this particular screw. It needs be the right width, so it neither mars the screw nor the inside of the hole, and neither too pointy an angle, so that it doesn't bottom out in the slot, nor too large a tip angle, so that it doesn't slip out. Take your time to shape the screwdriver tip, and go slow.
There is at least one web page dedicated to proper shaping of watch screwdrivers: http://members.iinet.net.au/~fotoplot/sdriver/sdriver.html .
I'm not sure this is the one I found last time, since it currently doesn't load.
I have finally acquired a Speedmaster 60th Anniversary (311.10.39.30.01.001).
My current set of screwdrivers' blades are too sharp / not thick enough, resulting a slight damage on one bracelet screw...
Would appreciate recommendations for a screwdriver which would be right for resizing the watch's bracelet.
Screwdrivers don't come fitted to the screw slot, so all you need is a file and some magnification, and you can dress the screwdriver you have to fit the slot properly. If it's too thin, then removing material from the end of the tip will be the way you want to start, so just keep the end straight and dress it until the blade is just short of touching the bottom of the screw slot.
Cheers, Al
Here is a question about screwdrivers.
Is it Ok to use a screwdriver with a magnetic tip when working on bracelets?
This way the pesky little things don't get away.
C cfracingI believe I read on this forum that it was not recommended to use hollow ground screwdrivers on watch screws, but my 1.8 mm hollow ground Wiha, like the one mentioned by the OP, appears to fit my 60th Anniversary Speedy bracelet screws perfectly.
The bracelet screw is listed as - 124ST3307 | SCREW M1.40 ØH1.9 L1.8 STEEL
So head diameter (also the slot length) is 1.9 mm, so a 180 screwdriver will fit the length of the slot - screwdrivers tend to jump from 180 to 200. No matter what screwdriver you purchase, the thickness of the driver will most likely have to be fitted to the screw slot width. I am not familiar with what you have ordered, but you don't really want a hollow found blade for this as those require a closer fit. A wedge blade is appropriate for the screw, and you should file the driver so the blade almost touches the bottom of the slot, but not quite.
You may have to heat the screw - boiling water is not hot enough to break the bond of the Loctite used, so you may need a small torch - I have a small Mastercraft butane version at my bench for heating specific areas to break the Loctite.
Cheers, Al
@Archer , I want to let you know that this worked Like a charm for me. Thank you. And please allow me to offer my thanks for the seemingly endless amount of information you have provided readers. I have learned a tremendous amount from you over the last couple years.
If you read the spec sheets, it typically requires temperatures far above 212 F to break down the bond. More like double that plus some.
I'm just saying that if you want to boil water and hope it works that's fine - I'll use my torch and have it all done while you wait for your pot to boil. 😉
