Pressing vintage crystal retaining ring

[lionsandtigers]

Anyone have any good suggestions for a DIY way to press a crystal retaining ring on a vintage sub?

[Nanuq]

Cut a tight fitting hole in a hockey puck and use it to press the ring on. Another one on the underside will sometimes be necessary too.

[alligoat]

Can't you just buy a crystal press from Harbor Freight for $10-15?

[stevedrk]

I've used the Harbor Freight press for the retaining ring. I've only had issue with 1680 because the high profile and Cyclops.

I ended up using a pill bottle cap...

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[lionsandtigers]

pill bottle cap.....very smart indeed

[JoeyB]

Can't you just buy a crystal press from Harbor Freight for $10-15?

Yep, that's what I have used.  http://www.harborfreight.com/watch-case-press-with-nylon-dies-91621.html

It is 'light duty' but works well enough. The dies are key, and work in other uses as well. As said earlier, sometimes the cyclops and height make an issue, but then you can invent new ways. 

With a Harbor Freight 20% coupon it's just over $10usd. 

[alligoat]

For the deep stuff, I cut a hole in a 1/8" piece of plywood with a Forestner bit and used it as a spacer- it may have been a 35mm bit which is what all the European hinges use- can't remember!

[Ronin]

This has never failed me:

 

http://www.rwgforum.net/topic/151625-1016-wip-almost-fin/page-2?hl=%2B32mm+%2Bsocket#entry1162009

 

Edit:  That is a 1016 post that a 32mm was appropriate for, you will notice I mention 36mm for Sub/GMT.

[Martyd3]

Pvc piping, go to homedepot and take the retainer ring with u and size it up.

PVC pipe works great. 

[correctime]

Harbor Freight crystal press.....it'll do the job as well as give a gen insert that little extra "umph" needed to snap into the TC bezel ring.

At least it worked for me.