Glass press

[docdoc]

Hello,

I wonder what would be the best choice for a watch press between this two. The one with the manual winding or the more automatic one? I would like to remove the glasses of my 42+ mm watches, so I guess I will need to add an extra set of large dies.

Edited September 19, 2008 by docdoc

[dachshund]

Without a doubt, you will have much more control with the screw press.

[docdoc]

Without a doubt, you will have much more control with the screw press.

That was what I thought

[HauteHippie]

Control with the bottom (non-screw press) is not an issue. I have that exact press and use it all the time. And, to be honest, I think that screw press might be a little tedious...

FWIW

[takashi]

i use the bottom one too... works perfectly and never broke a single crystal (have removed many crystals) small to big... Biggest die on mine was 40mm, smallest is 12mm. and there are 2 types. one flat, another with "cup".

[Guest avitt]

I use the bottom type as well.

One thing that I notice in the pictures above is that the screw press comes with flat dies, while the other press comes with both flat and concave dies. Most of the crystals that I've worked with have been domed, and the concave dies have allowed me to apply even pressure to the edge. (The flat dies are great to use on the back of the watch, as the base.) Concave dies may also be used to press bezels in place.

[docdoc]

I use the bottom type as well.

One thing that I notice in the pictures above is that the screw press comes with flat dies, while the other press comes with both flat and concave dies. Most of the crystals that I've worked with have been domed, and the concave dies have allowed me to apply even pressure to the edge. (The flat dies are great to use on the back of the watch, as the base.) Concave dies may also be used to press bezels in place.

Good to know

[freddy333]

I have both presses & each has benefits & liabilities.

The screw press offers more control & opens wider (which is important when using it with large watches and/or large dies), but the included dies are limited as per Avitt's comments. I usually use the dies from the levered press as well as some additional Bergeon dies I purchased separately. Also, because the screw that the dies attach to is coarsely threaded, the press's jaws do not compress evenly (I press a bit, rotate the work 180 degrees, press a bit more, rotate, press, rotate..........until the job is done - I have bent more than 1 bezel using this tool).

The levered press is much easier to use, but the jaws do not open as wide, which means I sometimes have to use another press that provides more space. This press, too, exerts uneven pressure on the die.

My favorite press is a hobby vise I bought at Sears for $32. I also got an optional set of rubber jaw liners to keep the vise from marring the work surface. More than enough space to fit the largest of watches & dies, offers a very fine screw adjustment & provides perfectly even pressure. Oh & you can also use it as a vise to hold things steady while working on them (it was indispensable during the 6542 project).

[fakemaster]

I use the levered one.

[capice]

bought the levertype, haven't used it yet because the biggest die is only 40mm and most of my watches are 42+.....

[docdoc]

bought the levertype, haven't used it yet because the biggest die is only 40mm and most of my watches are 42+.....

Same here

[freddy333]

What Sears is waiting for to open a shop in France !!!

Why wait, Sears has been online for years (& the vise is even cheaper online) - Craftsmen Bench Vise