lionsandtigers Posted November 27, 2006 Report Share Posted November 27, 2006 As i was screwing in the gen tube, the stem of the tube broke off!!!!!! So now, the piece of the tube that screws into the case is broken off and lodged in the hole. Any way to get it out? Mods done so far: Insert (modern aftermarket, waiting for a vintage to turn up) CG's reshaped Lugholes drilled and gen springbars fitted drsd dial changed to white Gen tropic 39 non-superdome installed I think this one is gonna have a nato strap Here's a pic of the watch so far, crummy, but ok for now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest avitt Posted November 27, 2006 Report Share Posted November 27, 2006 (edited) I did the same thing with the first Triplock tube that I tried to install. You can get the treaded part out by using a small screw extractor (typically found as part of a screw-extractor kit at your local hardware store). You can also try to use other small tools (rat tail file, screwdriver, etc), just be careful not to damage the hole threads. Edited November 27, 2006 by avitt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJGladeRaider Posted November 27, 2006 Report Share Posted November 27, 2006 As i was screwing in the gen tube, the stem of the tube broke off!!!!!! So now, the piece of the tube that screws into the case is broken off and lodged in the hole. Any way to get it out? Hey Dude, sorry to hear about your glitch. You here in the US? If so, and you want to send me the case, I'll extract the tube and run a tap thru the threads to make sure it's all straight for you if you like. Just drop me an e-mail and I'll be happy to help if I can. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lionsandtigers Posted November 27, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 27, 2006 yeah, tried the rat tail file and had no luck, so i guess i'll pop over to the hardware stor tommorow and get a screw-extractor kit thanks for the help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poopypants Posted November 27, 2006 Report Share Posted November 27, 2006 1. where did you get the dial? 2. are you using a modern date wheel? that "26" looks like a modern font... Thanks! PP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubiquitous Posted November 27, 2006 Report Share Posted November 27, 2006 Does look like modern font, but I should also note that genuine vintage datewheels for 15xx movements had a closed 6 on '26' while all the other 6's and 9's were open. J- Nice 1665! Looking sharp! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lionsandtigers Posted November 27, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 27, 2006 it is a modern font actually, i just used a movement from a modern sd for the time being until my serviced movement comes back from The Zigmeister. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sherrington Posted November 27, 2006 Report Share Posted November 27, 2006 yeah, tried the rat tail file and had no luck, so i guess i'll pop over to the hardware stor tommorow and get a screw-extractor kit thanks for the help I used the tap and just ran it thorugh the case again. That took out the remains of the tube. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lionsandtigers Posted November 27, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 27, 2006 thats what i think i'm gonna do, since i have to tap it anyway, obviously Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddy333 Posted November 27, 2006 Report Share Posted November 27, 2006 As i was screwing in the gen tube, the stem of the tube broke off!!!!!! So now, the piece of the tube that screws into the case is broken off and lodged in the hole. Any way to get it out? I think this one is gonna have a nato strap Here's a pic of the watch so far, crummy, but ok for now lionsandtigers: Not "crummy" at all. At least I don't think so. Excepting the datewheel font (which will only be an issue for a handful of hard-core Rolex fans), I think the project looks spectacular! The CGs, especially, are dead-on, which, even from across a room, is one of the two obvious give-aways (the other being a flat crystal) on most replicas. The only other thing you might consider is slightly beveling (filing) the squarish edges of the case as alot of older SDs seem to be more rounded (due to repeated Rolex servicings?). Otherwise, once you get the crown/tube reinstalled (and swap datewheels), I think most people would think it's gen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lionsandtigers Posted November 27, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 27, 2006 thanks bro, i just meant the pic was crummy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abakan Posted November 27, 2006 Report Share Posted November 27, 2006 I used a cobalt drill bit so that the sharp edges catch the tube from inside. Then I fixed a bit in the handle (the one for threading) and went CCW. It took the tube out. In my case, I didn't have to rethread the case, you didn't necessarily strip either tube or case, just applied an extra pressure when the tube didn't have any room to go anymore. So the top part just broke off. Try it if you have a set of cobalt bits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubiquitous Posted November 27, 2006 Report Share Posted November 27, 2006 Whose tube did you use, J? Some are longer than others... Which may explain why the tube broke in the first place... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lionsandtigers Posted November 27, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 27, 2006 only cobalt bits i have are for lugs and bracelets, nothing large enough for the diameter of the tube hole Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest avitt Posted November 27, 2006 Report Share Posted November 27, 2006 Wow...This thread is making me feel a lot better about having cranked off one of these Triplock tubes...seems I'm in good company Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lionsandtigers Posted November 27, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 27, 2006 glad my [censored]up helps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abakan Posted November 27, 2006 Report Share Posted November 27, 2006 Randy, I broke few tubes. They were long, short. i don't think it matters much, more likely the amount of force you apply, and if you use a rolex inserting wrench, I can guarantee you will brake it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lionsandtigers Posted November 27, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 27, 2006 it was the gen sub tube, i have no idea if it was short or long, but i was using the tube screw tool and snap, broke right off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sherrington Posted November 27, 2006 Report Share Posted November 27, 2006 it was the gen sub tube, i have no idea if it was short or long, but i was using the tube screw tool and snap, broke right off. The main reason for breaking these tubes is the wrong size of tap used on the case. You have to use the correct size and PITCH of tap. Any old 3mm metric tap will not do as the pitch size is specific to Rolex. That's why the tube snapped. Believe me I have done it 3 times myself!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lionsandtigers Posted November 27, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 27, 2006 @Sherrington never tapped the case, which is i'm sure the reason. i was under the assumption that mbw cases rarely needed to be retapped, and i learned the hard way. I have a few other cases to retap anyway, so i'm just gonna buy the correct tap anyway ps, i dig your watches man, nice job on them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubiquitous Posted November 27, 2006 Report Share Posted November 27, 2006 Knock on wood... Have not broken a single one, have never tapped (exception being my DW, which Ziggy did for me) and I don't have the Rolex tool, either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sherrington Posted November 27, 2006 Report Share Posted November 27, 2006 Knock on wood... Have not broken a single one, have never tapped (exception being my DW, which The Zigmeister did for me) and I don't have the Rolex tool, either. I wish I had your luck. I don't break them now as I bought the right tap size. I don't use the insertion tool just a square needle file and some loctite. You certainly can't shift them when that sets!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lionsandtigers Posted November 27, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 27, 2006 i was hoping to have the same luck as you randy, but alas, was not meant to be Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubiquitous Posted November 27, 2006 Report Share Posted November 27, 2006 Well... I have heard (and this is 100% unconfirmed) that older MBW cases were tapped at the correct 0.25mm pitch, hence making the swap 1:1. Dunno how much validity there is to that, but that might partially explain some of my luck? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lionsandtigers Posted November 27, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 27, 2006 quite possible, or, you have been touched by the hand of the rep gods, or, you're a evil rep wizard!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.