Guest Sql_pl Posted August 7, 2008 Report Share Posted August 7, 2008 Guys, this is really killing me. As some of you know I am trying to build a 16520-franken. I managed to get all parts pretty quickly but then I was told that gen rolex hands do not fit elprimero. Ok so they need to be modified. I thought that in order to minimize risk of damaging the hands down to 50% I will try to source genuine canon pinion and hour wheel. And so I did. So right now I have everything that is needed to finish it but still have 3 subdial hands that do not fit. k2222's watchsmith that was to help me decided he does not want to do it. OK so I have a problem. Slay guided me towards tourby who is also located in EU - I thought he could help me. But now that we've exchanged some emails he told me that it is impossible to modify a hand to work with smaller diameter pin. SO my question is - how on earth can we have so many ( like 7-8 ) Frankentonas if it is impossible? Is there a person with experience in doing this who could share the knowledge needed to do it? I would really not like this stuff to stay in my drawer when I could easily have bought a gen submariner and a gen speedmaster for the money invested instead........ Please let me know if you can help me out. Thanks Maciek Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephane Posted August 7, 2008 Report Share Posted August 7, 2008 Frustrating indeed Maciek. Maybe you should PM and ask Ubi After all Ubi is our Daytona franken guru! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Sql_pl Posted August 7, 2008 Report Share Posted August 7, 2008 I just didn't want to be PITA asking him directly but I do really hope Randy could chime in here.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alligoat Posted August 7, 2008 Report Share Posted August 7, 2008 Ubi has always been very helpful, like Stephane says, PM him. He's pretty busy these days, especially w/ a new baby, and doesn't hang around as much as he used to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubiquitous Posted August 7, 2008 Report Share Posted August 7, 2008 Maciek, The tubes need to be squeezed down. Somewhat of a difficult job to do with precision; but absolutely possible. You need the right tools to do this for the chrono hands since they are very small; or, maybe a pin vise might work (not sure as I've not tried one). I may have a set of chrono hands already reduced to the right size; I need to look in my spares. If I do, I'll let you know. That would make installing easy... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Sql_pl Posted August 7, 2008 Report Share Posted August 7, 2008 Ubi that would make it all extremely easier! I didn't think about that earlier but maybe I can just ship my hands to you - if you know how to do it maybe it would not be a big problem for you to modify them so I can fit them with ease back here? Please let me know what you think. Once again thanks a lot for your answer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddy333 Posted August 7, 2008 Report Share Posted August 7, 2008 Ubi is correct. There are any number of ways to reduce the size of the hand tubes. You can do it using a pin vise or a staking tool or a pair of smooth-jawed pliers. Whatever you feel most comfortable with. However, this is a VERY delicate procedure & you run the risk of damaging the tube (possibly permanently), which may be why your watchmaker dropped out of the project. I had to do this to fit some gen 116520 hands to my 116520 rep. But if you are extremely careful & VERY lucky, it can be done. Due to the potential risks involved, I would never criticize anyone for refusing to take on the job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marsupilami Posted August 7, 2008 Report Share Posted August 7, 2008 I had all parts together in february but couldn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stilty Posted August 7, 2008 Report Share Posted August 7, 2008 There is a tool made specifically for hands. It may not work for your sub dial hands, as it only goes down to 0.4mm. Bergeon Tube-Tightener Set in Wood Box This terrific, first-quality tool provides a way to conveniently tighten hand tubes, crown tubes, and case tubes the proper way: by compressing the tube all the way around (rather than simply nicking it in one spot). While a complete staking set will provide this function, this tool is considerably more convenient for a small job here and there. This is an expensive tool, but will provide a lot of utility for the serious watchmaker. The extraordinarily well-made set accomodates tubes between 0.40 and 2.60 millimeters. FB-715 $430.00 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
t Posted August 7, 2008 Report Share Posted August 7, 2008 the cutting of the sub-hand tube is no problem. If the hands hole is to small... this is also no problem as we could make the holes bigger. BUT if the holes are to large... this is very problematic... we could demage the hands if we would try to make it smaller.. or the hands could fall down anytime when you shake the watch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RWG Technical Posted August 7, 2008 Report Share Posted August 7, 2008 Easy fix if the hands are too big, you just make the tube smaller, no damage, no risk, I have done many of them and never had any problems... RG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slay Posted August 7, 2008 Report Share Posted August 7, 2008 okay, so i think the soloution would be: send the hands to The Zigmeister, let him do the job and then send the rest to toruby, so you dont have to worry about customs. problem solved Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Sql_pl Posted August 9, 2008 Report Share Posted August 9, 2008 Yup, sound great. The problem is Rob will be able to help me in November. I also PMd Randy... if he won't be able to help me sooner I guess there is no other option for me than to wait.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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