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Decals print dials


Bart Cordell

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  • 2 weeks later...
  • 2 weeks later...
I print the date window portion all back as the dial is, no outline for the window at all. When fully dried it should be tight. I then cut the opening in an 'X', from corner across to opposing corner. That makes 4 little triangles. From the back of the dial, I then use a toothpick dipped in the Micro-Set to wet each triangle, one at a time, and draw it over the bevel and out the back, folding onto the back of the dial. The vinyl decals I use have a little, tiny bit of stretch to them. Using the toothpick I pull the triangle taught on the back of the dial. Then hold it there until it sticks. The decals take the shape of the bevel nicely. Some bit of trim might be needed, and I do that with the same wetted toothpick, smoothing the corners if necessary.   

 

dial.JPG

SMART

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Just a little preview of what will hopefully be a somewhat meaningful contribution to this project thread. I was sending a genuine 1016 Explorer I service dial off to PBDad today to get a lume job and scanned the dial into PS/Illustrator so I could work the various elements into vectors/separate vector files. This dial presented a unique opportunity in that when I got it (and before it went to PBDad) it was COMPLETELY unlumed. Made the scan nice and crisp; you can even make out the serifs in the numerals and hour indices! Cranked up the dpi and then upped the contrast several times. I'll post the illustrator file up here in this thread once I finish with it and get it sized properly...

758843B8-8774-48DF-80DB-0C0958EEA02B_zps

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3 hours ago, Kime said:

Has anyone posted illustrator versions of these dials for download?

I'm making the 1016 into a vector file in Illustrator now. Should be able to squeeze in finishing it up this coming week. I'll post the file for download here once I clean it up and finish it

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after multiple tests I think i achieved to get a correct lume on my 5500 dial.

I tried many times last days without success. It made me mad !

Print decals, wait, put on blanck dials, wait, spray glossy varnish, wait... Each time it's 3 days needed before I could try to lume.

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For exemple my last 6610 lume test. Numbers are terrible. Didn't have difficulties on my my first watches with the lume mix.

Those days my lume is very sticky. Thought I use the same recipe as before. Nemoto powder, acrylic matt varnish, acrylic white paint, pigment. Any advice would be appreciated ;)

8fa0f024bc0836eacb0975474f504f06.jpg

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Where are you getting all the blank dials?

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Don't have many blanck dials. I erase them to remake.

I bought cheapest painted dials in ebay, then I sand to reveal brass.

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28 minutes ago, Bart Cordell said:

Don't have many blanck dials. I erase them to remake.

I bought cheapest painted dials in ebay, then I sand to reveal brass.

Bart, have you tried emailing Ken from Rafflestime? I think he may e able to get you blank brass ETA feet dials. Not something he lists for sale obviously, but I think I recall reading g that another member had purchased blanks from him. 

Also, Offrei has brass blanks for 2836 family movements, but the ones I saw had date windows. Might be worth checking and see if they have ones without. Can't beat the $4.50 price tag...

http://www.ofrei.com/page813.html

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I searched on ofrei but there is no 29, 27, or 26mm blank dial without window.

I bought some 10$ sterile dials from ken. Sanded to remove paint.

I will contact him to know if can sell brassed dials.

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@JoeyB thanks !

Tried to build my 5500 this morning. But my ETA 2846 is not adapted to 1002 gen case.

Ruined the dial with Bergeon protector when I wanted to remove the hands. I have to make a new dial again...

For fans...

Gen 1964 1002 case

Clark's Tudor hands

Rivet bracelet

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