masmannan Posted August 19, 2014 Report Share Posted August 19, 2014 I hope it all works out. It's a real game changer for the forums to have your expertise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
APguy1 Posted August 19, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 19, 2014 Thank you, it's great to here, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
automatico Posted August 20, 2014 Report Share Posted August 20, 2014 "I wish you could make gen spec rolex cases..." The easiest way to do this might be to find a low cost cartel case that is close to genuine and modify it to genuine specs. Vintage cases...5512/13 and 1680 would not be too hard if you can find something close to begin with. You need the correct dial window opening, case neck od, case back type (gasket in the case back), stem centered in the case tube for the movement etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fraggle42 Posted August 20, 2014 Report Share Posted August 20, 2014 Personally I would just potter along by yourself, making things for your own use. That way you're under no pressure to make something for someone else by a certain time, for a certain budget. Once you've got the designs for whatever finalised and you are happy with them, I'd send a couple off to people who specialise in building those kinds of frankens and get their feedback, integrate their feedback, produce another couple, send back, until everyone's happy. At that point word of mouth will do the rest. Kind of like TC does for his Rolex builds. He doesn't have a "shop" as such, just a blog, and you don't just buy one, you talk to the man and ask him if he'll build you one. That way you still keep the hobby aspect, and the interest (the most crucial part to me), and it removes a lot of the pressure. It also has the benefit that if what you produce is really good, you can find yourself in "fabled" status where people really, really want one of your cases (or whatever) Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackflash Posted August 21, 2014 Report Share Posted August 21, 2014 Crystal retaining rings would be a winner, enable everyone to do away with the infamous nylon gasket on Rolex watches. Good luck with your projects Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
APguy1 Posted November 23, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 23, 2014 Hi fellas !! It's been quite a while since I last posted here but behind the scenes I've been developing the setup and machine I decided that, hell this machine isn't up to what I need it for !! Time to ramp up May I pronounce to you, the AMA25LV Custom CNC Machine !! I've now got around £3,500 into this machine now and till recently I have finished converting it to CNC. I'll share some pics of the conversion just to show what I had to go through to make it CNC All calibrated to within 0.01mm (0.0005mm at best) which is pretty damn good !! Now the machine is completed I shall start modding the AP Case Stay tuned, MUCH MORE to come Cheers, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sacsah1 Posted November 23, 2014 Report Share Posted November 23, 2014 Can one buy a fully modded case from you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
APguy1 Posted November 23, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 23, 2014 Hi man, no I would ask for the case and would Machine your case and send your case back. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GenTLe Posted November 24, 2014 Report Share Posted November 24, 2014 Very nice tool you have there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resistor Posted November 24, 2014 Report Share Posted November 24, 2014 Very nice tool you have there! That's what she said... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
APguy1 Posted November 24, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 24, 2014 I get that a lot Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
APguy1 Posted November 27, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 27, 2014 I shall start modding the AP Case over this week end so get your belts done and hang on tight fingers crossed the 6000 lines of code are correct 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sputim Posted November 27, 2014 Report Share Posted November 27, 2014 Very looking forward to this project! Looks very promising and keep on going mate! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
APguy1 Posted November 27, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 27, 2014 Cheers man really appreciate the support, that's what it's all about really Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resistor Posted November 28, 2014 Report Share Posted November 28, 2014 Are you a programmer or machinist by trade? Or an engineer, maybe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
APguy1 Posted November 28, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 28, 2014 I'm in the automotive design industry but have been trained in CNC Setup and Programing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
automatico Posted November 28, 2014 Report Share Posted November 28, 2014 I believe you could make good $$ if you could make oem spec vintage rolex cases. Not much demand for other brands. The biggest expense would probably be buying 316 bar stock and/or sheet. You would need the specs off a genuine 5513 and 1680 in good condition or a Yuki, Phong etc case that is very, very close. The difference between the average repjunk and high grade cases is the high grade case makers pay a lot more attention to details such as exact distances between lugs, accurately sized case necks/bezels, accurately machined interior of the case, correctly sized lug holes in the correct location, case tube threads accurately placed with the correct relief cut for the case tube gasket etc. One tricky part is probably going to be cutting proper bevels on lug tops and polishing because it can not be done on a machine (unless you have a special machine for it). Leave the engraving to someone else and besides...unsigned vintage cases are 100% legal. A friend makes a lot of hand made parts, mostly special tools and things for motorcycles (not cnc) and he saws out flat metal close to what he needs then mills/turns it to size. Without a heavy duty punch press and appropriate dies there is not much of an easier way to rough out the blanks on a small scale. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
APguy1 Posted November 28, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 28, 2014 When you say you can't machine "bevels" on a machine that isn't the case, If you have the know how it is very possible. Imagine a tool with a radius on the end. We call then ball nose tools and they can create a very curvy surface. With a 8mm ball nose you can create the lugs and case sides as well as boring out the rough ID of the case. I would do something like this however I would need all of the dimensions in order to design and program the machine. I do have 3D ready CAM software so it is all possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
automatico Posted November 29, 2014 Report Share Posted November 29, 2014 Thanks. I was referring to the slight bevels on the top edge of the lugs. Maybe they can also be cut like you mentioned. Polishing the case sides and case back might be a hassle. The only machine work I do is making bezels etc one at a time along with a few other odds and ends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swdivad Posted November 29, 2014 Report Share Posted November 29, 2014 (edited) I'm a mechanical/design engineer with extensive CNC set-up/programming experience as well, with a background in the aerospace/defense manufacturing as well as tool & die industries. Been using SolidWorks since before its first release back in '95 (just took the plunge to SWX '15). If you need any help with anything, I'd be excited to be part of some projects with you!! I would think that the final finishing and polishing would be the trickiest parts of completing cases and components... I've seen many times reps are mostly good except the difficult to reach areas, or that the final machining operations weren't fine enough to get the tool marks and chatter out... Keep your finish tooling sharp and your feedrates down, it doesn't have to be a race like in Guangzhou! Edited November 29, 2014 by swdivad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
APguy1 Posted November 29, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 29, 2014 Haha yes slow feed rates does mean better surface finish. I'm also training my self as a watch maker so have spent a LONG time perfecting my polishing skills yes I'll take you up on your experience also pal 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ceejay Posted November 29, 2014 Report Share Posted November 29, 2014 Good luck guys, I would love a decent 1675 case 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
droptopman Posted November 29, 2014 Report Share Posted November 29, 2014 +1 me too. Sent from my droptop using telepathy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
APguy1 Posted November 29, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 29, 2014 If someone has a gem case and has some measuring equipment it would be super duper if someone could measure it all so I can model it up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ceejay Posted November 29, 2014 Report Share Posted November 29, 2014 (edited) There is someone with a gen 1675 case http://www.rwgforum.net/topic/174762-fs-gen-and-aftermarket-vintage-rollie-shtuff/ Whoopy! Edited November 29, 2014 by ceejay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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