Quality Chinese Tools

[Neverenoughwatches]

3 hours ago, ClaudioCavalli said:

I thought perhaps it would make it quicker to dress screwdrivers and maybe more repeatable. 

It does, but just hollow ground screwdiver blades.

[ClaudioCavalli]

1 hour ago, Malocchio said:

A while ago I realized it's sometimes better to ditch gadgets and learn to use your hands. I always thought using a jacot tool must be really hard and I got a rollifit clone. There was a problem and I returned it and got a refund. I forced myself to burnish the old fashioned way and it wasn't that hard after all. I did get some upper back pain from the several days of intense training though. I should work on my ergonomics.

I gave you a thumbs up, but given your user name, perhaps a would be more appropriate .

[jtking96]

I did a quick search in this thread and didn't see anything about chinese tweezers. Maybe that's just one of those things that everyone buys name brand, but does anyone have any experience with some nice tweezers, maybe brass or bronze, that they've picked up for cheaper than their name brand counterparts? I've only ever used the $3 "economy" tweezers from Esslinger and they aren't much to write home about.

[AndyGSi]

39 minutes ago, jtking96 said:

I did a quick search in this thread and didn't see anything about chinese tweezers. Maybe that's just one of those things that everyone buys name brand, but does anyone have any experience with some nice tweezers, maybe brass or bronze, that they've picked up for cheaper than their name brand counterparts? I've only ever used the $3 "economy" tweezers from Esslinger and they aren't much to write home about.

I use these from Cousins.

https://www.cousinsuk.com/product/titanium-tweezers-cousins-swiss-style

https://www.cousinsuk.com/product/brass-tweezers-cousins-swiss-style

Edited January 8 by AndyGSi

[RickTock]

37 minutes ago, jtking96 said:

I did a quick search in this thread and didn't see anything about chinese tweezers. Maybe that's just one of those things that everyone buys name brand, but does anyone have any experience with some nice tweezers, maybe brass or bronze, that they've picked up for cheaper than their name brand counterparts? I've only ever used the $3 "economy" tweezers from Esslinger and they aren't much to write home about.

For general assemble/disassembly work, my most used tweezers are No. 3 Brass from Cousins. Not sure where they're made, but they're certainly inexpensive.

https://www.cousinsuk.com/product/brass-tweezers-cousins-swiss-style?code=T62250

I really wanted to try brass tweezers but didn't want to spend tangible money on something I didn't know if I would like. The Cousins option made it easy for me to experiment, and I'm glad I did. My various Dumont stainless steel tweezers still get occasional use.

 

[HectorLooi]

1 hour ago, jtking96 said:

I did a quick search in this thread and didn't see anything about chinese tweezers. Maybe that's just one of those things that everyone buys name brand, but does anyone have any experience with some nice tweezers, maybe brass or bronze, that they've picked up for cheaper than their name brand counterparts? I've only ever used the $3 "economy" tweezers from Esslinger and they aren't much to write home about.

Try Vetus brand tweezers which are available from many sources. 

I use brass tweezers from Cousins for 80% of the time but brass is too soft for work that requires some force, like pushing home setting lever springs.

Brass is also too soft to be ground to very fine tips. So for very fine work like picking up tiny screws from the calendar works, I still have to use stainless steel tweezers. 

But all tweezers, regardless of brand or material, require regular maintenance. The tips need to be straightened and dressed. 

I like my tweezers to have very a light touch, so I always thin the metal near the joint at the back down to make it more flexible. 

[mbwatch]

1 hour ago, jtking96 said:

I've only ever used the $3 "economy" tweezers from Esslinger and they aren't much to write home about.

Start saving up to replace your tweezers one pair at a time with good Swiss made tools, or at least with something better than what you're using that will hold their tips better without need to dress so often. I also spent like 2 years with Esslinger econo tweezers and what a difference it made the first time I picked up something better. I've been collecting used Dumont and Peer tweezers from ebay for about 1/3 price of new, dressing them as necessary and very much happier than with my Esslinger stuff.

41 minutes ago, RickTock said:

For general assemble/disassembly work, my most used tweezers are No. 3 Brass from Cousins. Not sure where they're made, but they're certainly inexpensive.

https://www.cousinsuk.com/product/brass-tweezers-cousins-swiss-style?code=T62250

I might try these but I honestly wonder if they are different from the ones sold by Esslinger in the USA. I have #3 brass and use them often, but never for anything important due to how soft they are and how quickly they bend up. They feel like tin rather than brass and I need something sturdier.

[LittleWatchShop]

3 minutes ago, mbwatch said:

collecting used Dumont

I inherited a bunch of Dumont tweezers.  Decided to buy a new pair a couple of years ago.  For me, the old ones have a much softer touch which I prefer.  So, yeah, ebay is a good plan.

[mbwatch]

@LittleWatchShop That's good to hear - I was assuming my vintage Dumonts were probably not a good long term solution, but I have been really happy with how they feel and how effortlessly they dress. I've picked up 3, 3C, P and maybe something else. I might try to get a couple of 3 for reserve stock. Generally I've been paying $12-$15 for tweezers that don't have rust visible in photos.

[jtking96]

5 hours ago, HectorLooi said:

I use brass tweezers from Cousins for 80% of the time but brass is too soft for work that requires some force, like pushing home setting lever springs.

Brass is also too soft to be ground to very fine tips. So for very fine work like picking up tiny screws from the calendar works, I still have to use stainless steel tweezers.

5 hours ago, mbwatch said:

I might try these but I honestly wonder if they are different from the ones sold by Esslinger in the USA. I have #3 brass and use them often, but never for anything important due to how soft they are and how quickly they bend up. They feel like tin rather than brass and I need something sturdier.

So, it seems like maybe brass is too soft for a first pair of nice tweezers that I would do most of my work with? I'll probably go with stainless steel for the time being instead and maybe add brass later to supplement.

4 hours ago, mbwatch said:

@LittleWatchShop That's good to hear - I was assuming my vintage Dumonts were probably not a good long term solution, but I have been really happy with how they feel and how effortlessly they dress. I've picked up 3, 3C, P and maybe something else. I might try to get a couple of 3 for reserve stock. Generally I've been paying $12-$15 for tweezers that don't have rust visible in photos.

I found an eBay store that has new old stock Dumont Dumoxel #3 and #3C listed at $25 or best offer with free shipping, among other tools and watch parts. Here's the link if you're interested.

[VWatchie]

10 hours ago, HectorLooi said:

I like my tweezers to have very a light touch, so I always thin the metal near the joint at the back down to make it more flexible.

A light touch is crucial to me. That's why I always use a pair of Dumont brass tweezers that happen to have a light touch. However, as you point out, brass is too soft for some work, and the tweezers I work with will soon be too short since I constantly dress them.

Can you tell us more about how you thin your tweezers and perhaps illustrate (in words or with a picture) exactly where?

[Malocchio]

I'm using mostly finer Dumont brass tweezers and some cheaper brass ones that I have dressed shorter/thicker for handling heavier parts. I haven't had much trouble handling even the smallest parts and the more flexible brass tweezers have taught me a lighter touch. 

[mbwatch]

8 hours ago, jtking96 said:

So, it seems like maybe brass is too soft for a first pair of nice tweezers that I would do most of my work with?

I will give my experience as a beginner - tweezer control and the tendency to grip too hard. Too firm a squeeze will cause tweezer tips to spread, and that spread is what launches small parts into oblivion. With soft brass, tips spread more readily than steel.

So during the early phase when focus is on just getting a movement back together without losing anything, and you're not yet too concerned about scratches on your practice movements, avoid brass. Once your tweezer control is developed and you are not dropping parts often, brass can avoid a lot of unnecessary cosmetic damage to parts.

[Neverenoughwatches]

4 hours ago, VWatchie said:

A light touch is crucial to me. That's why I always use a pair of Dumont brass tweezers that happen to have a light touch. However, as you point out, brass is too soft for some work, and the tweezers I work with will soon be too short since I constantly dress them.

Can you tell us more about how you thin your tweezers and perhaps illustrate (in words or with a picture) exactly where?

Just around the join H , where the pair starts, here are 4 that I did when I started. The vetus I think were the first, so a bit rough looking.  The second pair down are very heavy strong machinist's tweezers, I had to thin both the flat and the edge ( you can see were they curve in then back out ) because the tension was unreal on them . Third are titanium  and the bottom ones are brass. I dont actually use any of these now except maybe the machinist one in place of pliers. I used a miniture drum sander to take out the bulk of the material then finished them better by hand.

[jtking96]

38 minutes ago, Neverenoughwatches said:

...The vetus I think were the first, so a bit rough looking...

Back on Chinese tools... How do you like the Vetus tweezers? Where did you buy them?

[Neverenoughwatches]

I really can't remember where i got them, they were one of my first pair, quite cheap. The tension was stupid and even now after reducing it, its way too tight. I only use bent 7s for hairsprings, without a lot more work these would trash one.

[watchweasol]

Hi. The Venus tweezers can be got from cousins, the6 are ok for general work  the rest of the time it’s Dumont tweezers , I have a selection to cover most things including a pair of modified ones (bent tip for screws). Brass ones are ok but a bit soft but useful in some applications. The problem with cheap tweezers is there is not enough metal at the business end and distort easily. May be should try to harden the legs.

[mbwatch]

1 hour ago, watchweasol said:

May be should try to harden the legs.

Ah good idea - I have a cheap SS #5 I almost never use and will try hardening them after I dress them.

[VWatchie]

7 hours ago, Neverenoughwatches said:

I used a miniture drum sander to take out the bulk of the material then finished them better by hand.

Excellent explanation and illustration. Many thanks! 

[HectorLooi]

Thanks @Neverenoughwatches. I was out the whole day and didn't have time to reply.

Perhaps @VWatchie could start a new thread and do walkthrough with lots of photos for the benefit of others who find that their tweezers are too stiff.

[Neverenoughwatches]

30 minutes ago, HectorLooi said:

Thanks @Neverenoughwatches. I was out the whole day and didn't have time to reply.

Perhaps @VWatchie could start a new thread and do walkthrough with lots of photos for the benefit of others who find that their tweezers are too stiff.

We're all here to help Hector, i think we are a pretty good friendly crew. 

[watchweasol]

Never had a problem with the tension ,only on non watchmaking generic tweezers these I use on clocks or for soldering where the tips don’t matter other than to hold the material. I also own some crossover tweezers that when you release them they shut they are of th generic type but useful at times.      Yes @Neverenoughwatches on the whole friendly , informative and inventive a good mix of brain power and very helpful what more do you need on a forum, I have looked at a few forums and not many have this mix.

[Jjver]

 

I wonder if someone got these suction dies. Below is the link from CousinsUK. But they are Chinese and sold on Ali, etc. too.

 

I would like to use them in my compact Horotec case press. The upper ones shouldn't be a problem, but I don't know about the bottom case holder. I contacted Cousins and they couldn't help me. The bottom of the official Bergeon dies are with pins and the Horotec has to fit between 2 small chrome bars.

 

Someone got these? I wonder also if they are soft or more the hard adiprene style?

 

Thanks in advance!

 

https://www.cousinsuk.com/product/suction-grip-dies-with-holder-cousins1

 

[GuyMontag]

I have a set from Ali. This one. They don't work at all for me. I've tried them a couple of times on cases that the rubber ball wasn't working and these didn't work either. I've heard good things about the Horotec ones, but these ain't that.

[Jjver]

3 minutes ago, GuyMontag said:

I have a set from Ali. This one. They don't work at all for me. I've tried them a couple of times on cases that the rubber ball wasn't working and these didn't work either. I've heard good things about the Horotec ones, but these ain't that.

Thanks. I was afraid of this. So bad grip?

 

The official Horotec is really extreme what they ask. 300 euro for just one die.

 

Below is my press I would like to find dies for that fit (and doable financially).

 

https://www.cousinsuk.com/product/universal-case-back-tool-horotec-compact?code=C22162