offshore

Think that tidied it up! As far as your keyboard is concerned...here is the cure. Take keyboard.....wash in swimming pool (full immersion) Spray with WD40...big dose...1 full can! Allow to dry in the sun. Blow off with compressed air. Now take, keyboard, empty WD40 can.................................. And throw the lot in the rubbish, and buy a new one. Within our admin area...we have a huge turnover in keyboards, due to coffee, (and other beverages), being spat on them. I think TT currently owes me approx 3! Job done! Offshore

@ Dems...... Only a million? @sander...Link please, we will look at it for you. I just searched your recent posts, and can't find anything. Offshore

Some (not all) of these are in fact flip backs. Have a look around the join, for somewhere you can get a knife in. Then apply some subtle pressure, twisting the blade. You may find it opens, or if it appears to move, then persevere. But don't force it if it won't come. I have also seen them with 8 screws, 4 of which are gen! A lot of these do strip their screws very easily. Offshore.

G'day ltr, Plenty of Oz around this place. Just yell out if you need a hand. Offshore

Welcome to RWG, Roboticus. I'm sure you will find some valuable info, and some pretty knowledgable people here. Hope we have what you need. Offshore

Glad you came out of the "closet" Welcome aboard. Yes there is a treasure trove of good info here. Enjoy your time here. Offshore

I have the Bergeon 5338, which is a different tool, however it includes a set of clamps, which fits the "fluted" back watches. I think that applies to the one Gio has as well. As long as it is used in conjunction with a case clamp, I can get most everything open, with care. There are a number of copies of the 5537 tool going around, and the 29.5 die is seriously "out". (Don't specifically know of the Bentson version) I had one of the copy 5537 tools, and like Toad, I had purchased a new genuine Bergeon die, and filed out the lug fitting area, so it worked on my handle. I then found that some of the smaller dies were suspect for fit, on some of the copy Rx ladies watches. Now I don't know for certain if the problem is the die or the caseback, but I suspect the casebacks are less than perfect for fit, as the dies thus far, have been OK on the few gens I have needed to open. Having now purchased the 5338, the 5537 copy tool is consigned to the museum! Hope this helps. Offshore

You got it! O/S

Yes, unfortunately our search function, "ain't no Google" However revising the search, or trying again will eventually produce results. Just a function of the siftware I think. Offshore

Guys, I have been searching for some time, to find a source for parts for the various Chinese movements. It has been difficult to say the least, however today I have had a bit of a break through. One of my HK suppliers, has told me he now has a range of stems for all the different Chinese movements. He also has said he can source whatever is needed (although theyALL say that) So my question is.... What do we need? If the answers were in the form -movement number /description. ie DG 2813- stem, or TY 2871-movement holder. it would make life easier to cut and paste and send him a list of what we need. So back in your court guys...tell me what parts you need to work on your Chinese movements, and which movements are the most needed. Offshore

I'd go for the 6111, as it has an end to push straps aside, as well as the small forks. The 6767 has a pin pusher on one end, which would be handy for split pins, but you will probably end up with one of the blue or black screw types for this. I can't see what is the other end of the one Freddy recommended, and don't know that tool, so just go for the 6111. I have a similar tool (Jap/Chinese copy) and once I sourced some decnt tips for it, it works just fine. So maybe you don't need the expense of the Bergeon tool, just decent forked tips. I replace, even the good ones, evey 2-3 months, but my tool is in constant use. Offshore

Welcome. Enjoy you time with us. Plenty of good information to be found here. Offshore

Would have thought that was an easy size. My local guy has them, http://www.labanda.com.au/Spring-Bars-for-...s-s1/page2.html See SDF- 178S- 22mm, @ A$3.60 for 20. However I think you really need to research your local wholesalers, as these are a relatively easy size to source. Where are you located? Offshore

The absolute correct tool for that watch is - http://cgi.ebay.com/Watch-Case-Opener-Tool...0#ht_1332wt_960 But then you would need a Horotec press, which will also run big $$ All the "multi" tools- like this- http://cgi.ebay.com/Watch-Case-Opener-Tool...0#ht_1332wt_960 Have round pin style fittings, which will fit in to the case back. It then becomes a matter of how good you want the tool to be. Offshore

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them. Lest we forget. Offshore

There was a time when some gen ETA watches could be had for $175-$250, and the Chinese powered versions were $100 or less. I can't remember back then any rep being offered much over $350. However the quality of finish and accuracy today is far beyond the "old" days. Now we just need the old prices, on the new reps! Offshore

Welcome aboard rennen. Plenty of good info available here. Read Toads newbie guide, for a flying start. Enjoy your time with us. Offshore

Another way to do it, is to click, in options- " Email this topic" This will give you the link. Copy, go page back out of the email box, and then paste the link in your reply, as I have done here. http://www.rwg.cc/members/Putting-topic-link-sig-t96398.html Works for me. Offshore

@ Col, As you know, I am in the process of moving. Today I bought a 3 m x 3 m piece of carpet protector for my new work room! Carpet is the pits! It eats parts. (Glad you are getting something from those hand removers!) Offshore

Certainly those will need to be high on the list! Jody, keep your eyes peeled on the 'bay, and any local auction sites or some of the used tool specialists... Dashto,- http://www.dashto.com/newlists/tools.htm#011 Uncle Larry http://www.execulink.com/~lfoord/tools.html As an example, I recently picked up a Bergeon hand setting kit, which sells at something stupid like $300 for $45, and a Bergeon case back kit, (5338-2F) which also is +$300, and I found that for $60. Both of these are just beautiful things to work with. They actually make ordinary repairers feel almost professional! You are probably better to makeshift those 2 items you need, until some quality things come along.... I used a cheap Indian hand lifter for a couple of years (polish the base of the feet), and the end of an empty biro refill to set the hands...until I found what I really needed. You will not be sorry in buying quality, even if it means having to use substitute items, or to use very cheap items as a stop gap. Take your time, and build a quality kit...it wlll make you a better tradesman. Offshore EDIT to add. Actually i just remembered that I now have surplus a Bergeon hand setter, (7401-1) which does 0.5, and 1.00 hands. It can go for $20. Give me a PM if interested.

Jody, Your bank account may be cursing the cost of good tools now- but it wouldn't be half the cursing we would hear from you, if you had purchased cheap tools! A wise move. Offshore

The issue sometimes is sourcing the part. Right now, I am having to get my ETA items from Cairo, as the local supplier(Swatch Group) will only take a movement in for service in house. However if watchdog is not confident in affecting a repair, I think you would be better to get a quote from ETA, and/or purchase a new movement, as if he can't do it, I know of few outside of ETA who could. Offshore

I have an antique ladies Rolex, probably '30's or '40's, which has a destroyed balance. The movement is marked 6855 and a serial no, #113****. It has Rolex engraved plates, however I suspect it may be another makers movement, although there are no other marks. Does anyone know this number, as I can find no reference to it anywhere? Thanks in anticipation. Offshore

It is referring to the positioning or location of something on, or in relation to the dial. For instance, if it is said " date at 6" you would find the date box at 6 o'clock on the dial. Mainly used for where the date window is located, however other items may be referred to , eg. helium valve @10! Not a silly question at all. Glad you asked. Offshore

Probably worth relating this tale. About 25 years ago, I was in HK, and purchased a copy Rx Sub. @ $5 or close to that, back then....couldn't even tell you if it was quartz or mechanical, 'cos I wouldn't have known myself So in my naive little existence, I was wandering down the street, and saw a Rx distributor. Even back then, I must have had some "how close is this to gen?" inklings, so I wandered in to the AD, and asked to see a Rolex Submariner. It was put on the counter in front of me, and I reached into my pocket and pulled out the rep, and sat it along side the gen. I then sensed a "presence" next to me, and standing alongside, with a pistol unholstered was a LARGE security guy. The words spoken were...."Don't even think about it!" (In stilted Chinglish) In all honesty a switch had never entered my mind, however I immediately repocketed the rep, and beat a hasty exit. Later it occurred to me just how often this sort of thing must be tried on. So even 15 years before getting involved in the rep game, I was learning why you never take a rep into an AD! Offshore