Stem Length?

[Aero_Dave]

OK guys, so is there a trick to figuring out how long a stem needs to be, before cutting it?

I have a new movement coming in and I'll need to cut the stem to the proper length. Do you just

keep taking a little bit off, testing the crown screwed-in and repeat until you get it right?

 

 

Thanks,
Dave...

[SSTEEL]

Correct, and most of the time its down to experience, and eye.

[Nanuq]

Good luck buddy, every time I take the stem out of my watch and (attempt to) reinsert it, I pooch the keyless works.

 

Every . Fricken . Time

 

If it can't be done with a hammer and axe, I don't attempt it.

[fraggle42]

Nanuq, I feel your pain buddy!

Although I have gotten a lot better at it and the last 3 or 4 times have gone OK!

Buy dead cheap basket cases to practise on. Keyless goes twang? Dead movement is deader - no big deal

[Aero_Dave]

Wow guys, don't jinx me now. So far, I've been practicing on a movement with calendar issues

and so far, I can put the stem in without tweaking the keyless works.

 

Dave...

[FxrAndy]

If you are removing and changing like for like you can just use the old stem, but if it is a case that you have to cut then make sure you cut it too long, fit, test, refit test and repeat

[alt.watch.obsessive]

If you have a metal file, get it close with the cutters and then file for a clean finish and greater control.

For the keyless, there was a good tip posted a week or two back. I addition to spinning the crown as you put it back in, leave the movement loose in the case so it can be perfectly aligned when reinserting the stem. Then do the case clamps. This assumes the alignment is not going to be perfect.