TJGladeRaider Posted October 12, 2006 Report Share Posted October 12, 2006 Now that I am drilling lugs, do the large spring bars go in just the vintage Subds/SDs with the plastic crystals, or did they still use them in the newer sapphire crystal models with holes thru the lugs? Anybody know for sure? Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest chronomat123 Posted October 12, 2006 Report Share Posted October 12, 2006 Hi Bill, Don't know 100% fersure, but my gen 90s Rolex GMT with sapphire crystal but non-SEL does have pretty big springbar holes compared to my stock MBW 1680, so I would assume those are large springbars in there-- the holes are def. wider than my stock MBW. Hope this helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJGladeRaider Posted October 12, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2006 Hi Bill, Don't know 100% fersure, but my gen 90s Rolex GMT with sapphire crystal but non-SEL does have pretty big springbar holes compared to my stock MBW 1680, so I would assume those are large springbars in there-- the holes are def. wider than my stock MBW. Hope this helps. I am gonna put the big bars in everything that came with big bars . . . I have a whole pile of cobalt bits! LOL Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest chronomat123 Posted October 12, 2006 Report Share Posted October 12, 2006 LOL... the adage dont lie, bigger is better.... these watches look so much nicer with luholes like this By the way, how much are the cobalt bits, and I'm assuming lowe's/home depot stocks 'em? I can't stand these queer little lugholes on my stock MBW, so I'm going to take a stab at doing them myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linder Posted October 12, 2006 Report Share Posted October 12, 2006 I had my local AD call and order springbars for a 16610LV and 1665. Rolex told her both used the same size and sent me 4 of the same ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubiquitous Posted October 12, 2006 Report Share Posted October 12, 2006 Most models up to the '03 F serial had holes for the springbars, but there are some exceptions; 16622's never had lug holes 16520's never had lug holes Presidentials never had lug holes And, one to go against the grain... 14060's (including current /M's) ALWAYS have lug holes (and never had SELs). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWR Posted October 12, 2006 Report Share Posted October 12, 2006 So, big'uns everywhere that there's a hole for them? sorry... had to... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubiquitous Posted October 12, 2006 Report Share Posted October 12, 2006 If there's a hole to be filled... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haveblue Posted October 12, 2006 Report Share Posted October 12, 2006 @ TJGRaider, i'm glad you asked this question....my TW Classic has the little lug holes and i was wondering the same thing about proper hole size. my TW Classic has the lug holes close to the lug edge and i need to drill the larger hole biased away from the edge and more towards the lower portion of the lug. i almost need to use a drill press and 'machine' the hole larger so i can get this bias. i don't have access to a small drill press. hmmmmm, i wonder if there is another way to accomplish this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubiquitous Posted October 12, 2006 Report Share Posted October 12, 2006 It can be done... Here is my TW Best GMT with lugs drilled... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJGladeRaider Posted October 12, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2006 @ TJGRaider, i'm glad you asked this question....my TW Classic has the little lug holes and i was wondering the same thing about proper hole size. my TW Classic has the lug holes close to the lug edge and i need to drill the larger hole biased away from the edge and more towards the lower portion of the lug. i almost need to use a drill press and 'machine' the hole larger so i can get this bias. i don't have access to a small drill press. hmmmmm, i wonder if there is another way to accomplish this? It's particularly difficult and I know of no other way than by using a drill press. If the holes were larger, I would use a vertical mill as they are set up to withstand side loads, but there is no way a 1.3mm wire bit will mill sideways thru this stainless steel. All you can do is set up your press to drill an off-center hole, use a lot of cutting oil, with low tool speed and feed rate. Unless you have a real drill press, or a vertical mill (a vertical mill is a drill press but not vice versa), I would not even consider trying it. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubiquitous Posted October 12, 2006 Report Share Posted October 12, 2006 Don't forget- If you offset the lug holes when drilling (to sit more in-board), you also offset the springbar's location. As such... A bracelet with an SEL may no longer fit correctly... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haveblue Posted October 12, 2006 Report Share Posted October 12, 2006 i don't have access to a drill press at this time.....yet....but i'm working on it. ubi, you make a good point about the location of the holes adjusting the spring bars which would in-turn change the SEL position....my new upgraded bracelet (hollow mids & proper SEL's) sits a tad too high now and the slight relocation would do it good. Now let me see where I can find a drill press to use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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