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Just bought this kit. Will I need any more essentials?


dusk

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I have this set and can say that the tools are not of high quality. Good enough to do bracelets, buckles etc but wouldn't want to use on a movement. It comes with some silicone grease so could open the caseback up and grease the gasket but not enough (quality or selection of tools) to do any movement work.

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I have this set and can say that the tools are not of high quality. Good enough to do bracelets, buckles etc but wouldn't want to use on a movement. It comes with some silicone grease so could open the caseback up and grease the gasket but not enough (quality or selection of tools) to do any movement work.

I guessed the tools wouldn't be great for the money. I had a pin pusher from china snap on me after one use the other day so hopefully better than that lol.

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I guessed the tools wouldn't be great for the money. I had a pin pusher from china snap on me after one use the other day so hopefully better than that lol.

Well, you get what you pay for. For what you said you want to do this set will be up to the task and then some. Just not going to get a surprise bang for your buck.

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Those blue plastic pin tools are frankly useless on anything remotely stubborn. The rest of the stuff is useful I'd say but invest in a better pin remover if you are going to try and use it on something stubborn like the LMPO. You can though get one of the solid metal pin tools on ebay for not much at all.

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Those blue plastic pin tools are frankly useless on anything remotely stubborn. The rest of the stuff is useful I'd say but invest in a better pin remover if you are going to try and use it on something stubborn like the LMPO. You can though get one of the solid metal pin tools on ebay for not much at all.

Dammit the LMPO bracelet is my first project haha

I think they were sized for giants :-/

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Dammit the LMPO bracelet is my first project haha

I think they were sized for giants :-/

 

The pins on the LMPO are a bit tight. I broke one of those blue plastic ones on a UPO bracelet years ago and the LMPO seems as tight.

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The other problem with cheapo tools is that they almost always use cheapo steel.  Expect the tweezer tips to bend and become dull.  Screwdriver breakages will occur at the tips and around those colored plastic bands.

 

Australia's a long way from you, but you can count on the tools sold at Watch Bitz (watchbitz.com.au), which is run by a longtime member of the forums (offshore).

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The other problem with cheapo tools is that they almost always use cheapo steel.  Expect the tweezer tips to bend and become dull.  Screwdriver breakages will occur at the tips and around those colored plastic bands. Australia's a long way from you, but you can count on the tools sold at Watch Bitz (watchbitz.com.au), which is run by a longtime member of the forums (offshore).

Cheers for the tip mate. I'll see what I use and replace as and when it fails I recon. I doubt I'll use much from the kit but as long as I don't have to fork out daft money on easy jobs.

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It´s endlessly better than nothing to get You started. If lucky You will find add-ons in household equipment. Missing some wooden toothpicks, a simple lupe, Nato-strap in 20mm and 22mm (to just start using the watch if there is no time for the bracelet).

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It´s endlessly better than nothing to get You started. If lucky You will find add-ons in household equipment. Missing some wooden toothpicks, a simple lupe, Nato-strap in 20mm and 22mm (to just start using the watch if there is no time for the bracelet).

Thanks yeah I don't want to fork out a fortune on tools just enough to get by really. I've got a big jiffy envelope full of bags of links and odds and ends already. Bought some spring bar removers that were huge and no good for any watch. If it conquers the LMPO bracelet then money well spent :p

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That type of tool set is probably OK for someone beginning and using it on watches that you are experimenting with. You will find that over time poor quality tools can do more damage than you would suspect.They are also frustrating to work with. Good tools make a job easier. Those screwdrivers will slip and mess up the heads of screws, they will break and overall will not be up to any sort of precision work. As you get more comfortable, you will realize that you want/need better quality tools. The first thing I would invest in is a good set of screwdrivers. Check with offshore, also look at the Ofrei website. they carry a large line of Bergeron tools, which are very good, but they also carry some lesser known brands that are good as well.

Remember though, no matter how good the tools are, if you don't have the skill set to go along with them, they aren't going to be any better. My father's saying about people and tools, "a fool with a tool is still a fool"!!  

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That type of tool set is probably OK for someone beginning and using it on watches that you are experimenting with. You will find that over time poor quality tools can do more damage than you would suspect.They are also frustrating to work with. Good tools make a job easier. Those screwdrivers will slip and mess up the heads of screws, they will break and overall will not be up to any sort of precision work. As you get more comfortable, you will realize that you want/need better quality tools. The first thing I would invest in is a good set of screwdrivers. Check with offshore, also look at the Ofrei website. they carry a large line of Bergeron tools, which are very good, but they also carry some lesser known brands that are good as well.

Remember though, no matter how good the tools are, if you don't have the skill set to go along with them, they aren't going to be any better. My father's saying about people and tools, "a fool with a tool is still a fool"!!

Yes I agree with your last comment. A mate of mine took his gen Tag (wedding gift) into a small watch smith for a battery and the guy managed to put a 10mm gouge in the case back. He wasn't a guy you want to upset too! Lol

I've got some nice tools including a set of watch smith drivers but I'm lacking pushers and such. I've had quite a few hobbies over the years that need fine work and steady hands so I won't go in like a bulk in a china shop. We will see when it gets here. If it's utter junk I'll maybe stop a few members making the same mistake :-)

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