Vintage White Sea-dweller Almost Done But.....

[lionsandtigers]

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

[Guest avitt]

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

[TJGladeRaider]

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

[lionsandtigers]

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

[poopypants]

1. where did you get the dial?

2. are you using a modern date wheel? that "26" looks like a modern font...

Thanks!

PP

[ubiquitous]

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!

[lionsandtigers]

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.

[Sherrington]

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.

[lionsandtigers]

thats what i think i'm gonna do, since i have to tap it anyway, obviously

[freddy333]

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.

[lionsandtigers]

thanks bro, i just meant the pic was crummy

[abakan]

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.

[ubiquitous]

Whose tube did you use, J?

Some are longer than others... Which may explain why the tube broke in the first place...

[lionsandtigers]

only cobalt bits i have are for lugs and bracelets, nothing large enough for the diameter of the tube hole

[Guest avitt]

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

[lionsandtigers]

glad my [censored]up helps

[abakan]

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.

[lionsandtigers]

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.

[Sherrington]

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!!!

[lionsandtigers]

@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

[ubiquitous]

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.

[Sherrington]

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!!!!

[lionsandtigers]

i was hoping to have the same luck as you randy, but alas, was not meant to be

[ubiquitous]

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?

[lionsandtigers]

quite possible, or, you have been touched by the hand of the rep gods, or, you're a evil rep wizard!!!!!