A set of mainspring winders.

 

You guys are nerds. I bought a lazy boy soda and love seat complete with an entertainment center, all made in the us of a

 

Ready for practicing oiling

 

Some poly sticks. I have a couple of Bergeon 6436 (the red ones) but these are just as good, and a quarter of the price of the Bergeons!

They resemble the Bergeon 7010 Black Polymide Probe Stick, but at 1/10th the price of those.

 

Not a fan of the coloured versions, like the red Bergeon. I have found that the tips will flake off under pressure. I prefer clear acrylic myself...

Have you had any issues with particles coming off the red or blue ones?

 

Maybe the clear ones also flake off but you just dont see it? ;p

 

No - different material and much harder.

 

A couple of old boxes. Omega outside is a little rough, but it was too cheap to pass on.

 

Sorry Al, missed this. Like you I found the red tips are subject to flaking if stressed, sometimes only gentle prodding will do it.

I tried some tests with the blue "spudgers" and while the flaking wasn't as bad as the red Bergeons, there was still some residue. I noticed that the flaking was coming from the surface layer and figured it may be a combination of surface finishing from injection moulding and "sprue" effect. I sharpened one with a razor as you would a pegwood stick, this exposed "virgin" plastic and doesn't seem to have the same problem.

It's still a PITA having to sharpen them though, so I may commit them to phone use and track down some acrylic versions.

 

Here's the Bergeon clear plexi-stick at a US supplier...you might be able to find these somewhere in Australia using the Bergeon number:

https://www.jewelerssupplies.com/polystyrene-stick-transparent-bergeon-5206-40-590.989.html

I think the addition of the colour dyes in the red and blue types are what causes them to flake so easily. I've never had that problem with the one I have, and I've had just this one for probably 10 years now. I initially sharpened it on a grinder, but a few years ago I chucked it up in my lathe for a cleaner pointed tip, and I use this every single day, and have never had to sharpen it again. I use it to apply slight pressure to bridges while lining up pivots, for adjusting barrel arbor end shake, etc., and it holds up very well. I can't recall where I bought mine but it could have very well been at Casker when I was at the AWCI for a course - usually once during the week we would make a run there to pick up tools as they are not far from the AWCI offices and training facility.

Cheers, Al

 

Added to the library recently! Already learning a ton of great info and glad to have picked this up

 

The last of the big spenders, a new strap for first borns' Eterna

 

More advertising,

 

Nice frames, too!

 

A bracelet & a book, now waiting for the postman:

 

Last week..

 

This week..


and next week hopefully MWO