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Dial feet repair - All techniques

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Ibis New Member

Ibis

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, watchweasol said:

Hi. How often do you have to replace or move dial feet ? 

I am currently perfecting my skills in making dials. I'm working with techniques like engraving, pad printing, hand painting, and (so far I've only used) cold enamel—I'm not sure I'll try real enamel anytime soon. I start with a sheet of brass and used to manually cut the dials, but now that I have a laser, the process is much better—easier and 100 times faster. I’m using a dial feet milling tool, which generally works well, but I had one instance where the feet failed after six months. For that, I used epoxy.

I estimate that I still need to perfect my skills, but in 2-3 months, I hope to be producing 3-10 dials a day. I’m considering investing in a machine like that if it is worth it, but I just want to be sure.

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nickelsilver
nickelsilver

I can confirm what Hector said- copper is the way to go. I tried German silver, didn't work. Brass, kind of worked but burnt the other side when the solder finally flowed. Copper- almost like magic.

HectorLooi
HectorLooi

You can actually make your own feet from copper wire. Brass doesn't work so well. Or you could just buy a box of them. 1 Box Welded dial feet parts Sliver Watch Dial Feet Assortment Spares R

Neverenoughwatches
Neverenoughwatches

👍 i use 0.7mm copper crafting wire and bismuth solder paste, it takes little  to flow and easy to visually track the heat approaching the dial. Haven't had any burn issues in approx a dozen feet repla

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Ibis New Member

Ibis

Posted
Posted
2 hours ago, watchweasol said:

 Track down the NAWCC member Wesley R Door or failing that Dirk Fassbender on the subject of dial foo soldering machines.   Building one is so simple.  The one you pictured is so  similar but has a fancy power supply and box.

You can tell I am newly registered here because I can't find the edit button on my previous reply.

Thank you so much, already reading some, I will definitely give it a try!!! 🙏

tomh207 Distinguished Member

tomh207

Posted
Posted
1 minute ago, Ibis said:

You can tell I am newly registered here because I can't find the edit button on my previous reply.

Thank you so much, already reading some, I will definitely give it a try!!! 🙏

At the top right of your post are 3 dots, click on them and edit should be an option.

 

Tom

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GuyMontag Super WRT Addict

GuyMontag

Posted
Posted (edited)
16 hours ago, Ibis said:

Any luck with it? I couldn't find it recommended in the Quality Chinese Tools thread, so I wondered if it is worth gambling on getting one. Also looking into the one suggested by @HectorLooi
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004510327939.html?srcSns=sns_Copy&spreadType=socialShare&bizType=ProductDetail&social_params=20944639174&aff_fcid=c57318f2fc1d46eeb15b64608348a552-1723364035823-01529-_mtk0MhI&tt=MG&aff_fsk=_mtk0MhI&aff_platform=default&sk=_mtk0MhI&aff_trace_key=c57318f2fc1d46eeb15b64608348a552-1723364035823-01529-_mtk0MhI&shareId=20944639174&businessType=ProductDetail&platform=AE&terminal_id=a9967848f2544b8591808e4adaf6c660&afSmartRedirect=y
 

It's even cheaper and if it works on dial feet that is great!

Just FYI, the one you linked has $140 shipping charge.

The one I have works well, you can also use it to spot weld bridles on mainsprings too. I think the biggest knock on the device (other than the cost) are the carbon (?) holders for the dial feet. There are different sized holders for each of the dial feet sizes. One of mine broke when removing it from the unit and without it you cannot solder any dial feet of that size. I was able to get them to send me a new one but I don't think you can buy them and if they don't want to send it to you then I'm not sure what recourse you would have.

Also, there is a bit of slop in the foot holder such that when you press it down, it has a tiny bit of wiggle to the left/right/front/back. Unfortunately, even a fraction of a mm off and the foot doesn't go into the hole on the dial. I'm going to need to figure out a way to shim it so that there is not wiggle.

Edited by GuyMontag
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HectorLooi Distinguished Member

HectorLooi

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, GuyMontag said:

Just FYI, the one you linked has $140 shipping charge.

The one I have works well, you can also use it to spot weld bridles on mainsprings. I think the biggest knock on the device (other than the cost) are the carbon (?) holders for the dial feet. There are different sized holders for each of the dial feet sizes. One of mine broke when removing it from the unit and without it you cannot solder any dial feet of that size. I was able to get them to send me a new one but I don't think you can buy them and if they don't want to send it to you then I'm not sure what recourse you would have.

You can get spares from AliExpress. 

Watchmaker Tools Professional Welding Dial Feet Machine Accessories (Carbon)5 pcs
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mMdzcRK

If you have a lathe, you could make your own from graphite rod blanks.

  • Like 2
GuyMontag Super WRT Addict

GuyMontag

Posted
Posted
Just now, HectorLooi said:

You can get spares from AliExpress. 

Watchmaker Tools Professional Welding Dial Feet Machine Accessories (Carbon)5 pcs
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mMdzcRK

If you have a lathe, you could make your own from graphite rod blanks.

Oh, that is good to know. I was worried the unit would become a brick if I couldn't source any replacement holders if/when they broke.

rehajm Super WRT Addict

rehajm

Posted
Posted
16 hours ago, Ibis said:

Any luck with it? I couldn't find it recommended in the Quality Chinese Tools thread, so I wondered if it is worth gambling on getting one

The link shows a video of removing a broken winding stem from a crown by soldering and unscrewing- does this technique work? 

GuyMontag Super WRT Addict

GuyMontag

Posted
Posted
8 minutes ago, rehajm said:

The link shows a video of removing a broken winding stem from a crown by soldering and unscrewing- does this technique work? 

I haven't had that issue come up yet so have not yet tried it.

Ibis New Member

Ibis

Posted
Posted
On 8/12/2024 at 12:00 AM, GuyMontag said:

Just FYI, the one you linked has $140 shipping charge.

The one I have works well, you can also use it to spot weld bridles on mainsprings too. I think the biggest knock on the device (other than the cost) are the carbon (?) holders for the dial feet. There are different sized holders for each of the dial feet sizes. One of mine broke when removing it from the unit and without it you cannot solder any dial feet of that size. I was able to get them to send me a new one but I don't think you can buy them and if they don't want to send it to you then I'm not sure what recourse you would have.

Also, there is a bit of slop in the foot holder such that when you press it down, it has a tiny bit of wiggle to the left/right/front/back. Unfortunately, even a fraction of a mm off and the foot doesn't go into the hole on the dial. I'm going to need to figure out a way to shim it so that there is not wiggle.

Thank you. I guess it depends on where you are located, the shipping charge for me is €60.

I am not sure about those carbon holders. From what I see in the video, you can't just use brass wire, you need some feet that you probably buy from them as well?

I would be more interested in using simple wire for the feet, so in this case, I might go for: https://www.ebay.com/itm/303328337595

This one is with 110V - American plugs. The one for Europe with 220V is available on eBay UK, but with import taxes and VAT that I'd have to pay when buying it, the final cost would be approx €400 - a similar price in $... which is a bit of a premium

nickelsilver Distinguished Member

nickelsilver

Posted
Posted

I can confirm what Hector said- copper is the way to go. I tried German silver, didn't work. Brass, kind of worked but burnt the other side when the solder finally flowed. Copper- almost like magic.

  • Like 4
Neverenoughwatches Distinguished Member

Neverenoughwatches

Posted
Posted
43 minutes ago, HectorLooi said:

You can actually make your own feet from copper wire. Brass doesn't work so well.

👍 i use 0.7mm copper crafting wire and bismuth solder paste, it takes little  to flow and easy to visually track the heat approaching the dial. Haven't had any burn issues in approx a dozen feet replacements.

  • Like 3

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