Movement spacer question

[jmb]

I have seen movement spacers/rings/adapters made from stainless steel and brass can anybody think of a good reason why one couldn't be machined from aluminum? I need to make one for a sub I'm sticking together and working with aluminum is soo much easier than stainless!

[alligoat]

Go for it! It's certainly a step above plastic. All it does is keep the movement in place- the type of metal is irrelevant.

[FxrAndy]

It is non magnetic so i dont see a reason why not

[ubiquitous]

Al should be fine for a spacer ring.

On a somewhat related note, should a watch be deficient in weight (e.g 16622 Yacht-Master reps) I'd think that machining a movement ring out of a denser, heavier metal could supplement the difference?

[Gorilladame]

Al should be fine for a spacer ring.

On a somewhat related note, should a watch be deficient in weight (e.g 16622 Yacht-Master reps) I'd think that machining a movement ring out of a denser, heavier metal could supplement the difference?

That is exactly what I thought, I would be happy for every additional weight, but maybe you could be more precious working with Al... So it has its pros and conts..

[jmb]

Thanks for the comments, I had not thought of the weight aspect but I doubt if would be more than a couple of grams difference...

[ubiquitous]

You're correct, J. The difference in weight is likely not very substantial, unless you're working with a thick, lead movement spacer?

[freddy333]

With reps that require a spacer, I think it always best to use the heaviest material available to help bring the weight of the rep closer to the gen.

[krbarnes]

JMB,

Don't mean to hijack your thread, but.....

I want to install a 2836 movement in a case designed for a 2824. Do you think you could machine a spacer to fit between the dial and rehaut to move the movement down so that the stem/crown line up correctly? If I'm not mistaken, didn't you post something about this a while back?

[sneed12]

I think I remember him making a post about something like that too. I would be the other way around, though--the 2836 is THICKER than a 2824. A spacer isn't going to help, you're going to need to shave the bottom of the rehaut.

[krbarnes]

you are right! I knew that! I just picked up a complete WM9/BK V3 case and bracelet (no movement/dial). I have a 2836 movement, but this case uses a 2824. just looking for a way to use what I have!

[jmb]

We could mount the case up in the lathe and shave a bit from the rehaut

[fakemaster]

A movment spacer cannot make any significant difference in weight.