Case Tube Tool - Quest for one that works

[Waggy]

Hello, I'm after some help on getting a functional tool for removing and replacing case tubes, the friction fit type not the threaded type. I have previously owned two Chinese Ali Express tools, which worked, but in each case after using on a watch case with an angle the watch had to be manually held perpendicular and when this angle was not perfectly aligned the pusher pin inevitably received a slight side load and the tool body was damaged. Due to the fact that the hole which holds the pusher pin is so close to the end of the block and the material wall is so thin:

The result was that the hard pusher pin stretched and deformed the hole and the pusher pin was then slack and no longer perpendicular, and eventually the material split altogether. After I looked at the tool I realised that the block the hole was machined into was aluminum, this coupled with the extremely thin wall made this hole very weak and prone to the deformation and damage I had experienced. I looked to another reputable supplier (see below) who advertised their tool as "all steel" and I even contacted their customer support who confirmed that the block in question was made of steel. I was very disappointed yesterday when it arrived and found that it was in fact aluminum and not steel as promised. I could tell by the feel of the material (weight) and confirmed with a magnet which would not 'stick' and have since requested a return/refund.

Assuming the return/refund goes smoothly, I am still left with my original problem of not having a tube pusher tool - does anyone have any recommendation for a tool which will work and will also stand the test of time?

Edited May 7, 2024 by Waggy
Grammar

[SwissSeiko]

I'm with you on this Scott. Aside from shelling out for the Horotec one, I cant find one that works. My eBay one like the one above suffered the same fate. I was able to remove and install 1 tube before it broke. Maybe I should factor in the price of a new tool every time I quote a tube replacement! Luckily they are not common for me at this time, but I'm sure ill end up splurging on the Horotec as time is money.

[oldhippy]

My old trusted way. Pull them out with a pair of round nose pliers.  

[RichardHarris123]

1 minute ago, oldhippy said:

My old trusted way. Pull them out with a pair of round nose pliers.  

And putting the new one in again? 

[oldhippy]

Just tap it in with a small hammer, but not one like this

[RichardHarris123]

How about this. 

 

[oldhippy]

Now that is taking it a bit far. You are going to need a bloody big workshop.

 

[HectorLooi]

I have the same tool from AliExpress and get the same anxiety when when using it. But you have to admit it looks awesome on your tool shelf. Makes you look like a pro. 

Looking at the photo of the Horotec tool, it looks equally flimsy. It probably comes from the same factory.

I was thinking of using the pushers supplied with the tool and making a hand tool from a cranked jeweller's punch. I'll grind off the tip of the punch and drill a hole at the end to fit the pusher in. The cranked shank would be able to clear the watch case give a straight in-line axis to exert force to tap the pendant tube out. Should be robust enough to last several lifetimes. I wonder why nobody makes it. 

[Neverenoughwatches]

10 hours ago, RichardHarris123 said:

How about this. 

 

Now thats a real man's tool press . I have one just like it in my back garden for when just CANT fix a watch .

Its not something i have had to do yet, @Waggybut wouldn't any type of press be able to do this ? What about an adapted chain link  extractor work or a micrometer with some sleeve pushers made to slot over the ends.

@Waggy Found something that could work Scott, comes with different size pins and pushers. Only bit that would need making is a round former to support the inside of the case, a piece of stout timber, bit of oak or mdf might do it. What i like about this one is the pin is pushed in, its in a sliding sleeve so it doesn't turn while its being driven. This has 4 pin sizes and 3 stumps as well so it will come in for other applications, the pins could be adapted to take other accessories from jewelling tools. I've just ordered one myself for some play time. 

Edited June 1, 2024 by Neverenoughwatches

[RichardHarris123]

Good idea, I  was thinking of something similar but using a drill press. 

Apologies, all the other comments have just appeared.  I was replying to @HectorLooi , the chain pusher is a good idea too.

[Waggy]

On 5/31/2024 at 7:22 PM, SwissSeiko said:

Aside from shelling out for the Horotec one

I did some checking and the Horotec one is also aluminum and the walls don't look much different, ie very thin, so I assume their tool will not fare much better.

[nickelsilver]

I have the Horotec one, and while I haven't done piles of tubes with it, I have used it on some pretty stuck ones and it hasn't taken any damage. There are lots of different aluminum alloys, and different hardnesses of those. I guess Horotec did put some thought and effort into this tool.

 

The only one I know of that is likely better is the one from Horia. But there's a small price difference. (1200-2500 bucks depending on the model)

Horia Multifunction Tool

[Waggy]

On 6/1/2024 at 7:28 AM, Neverenoughwatches said:

What about an adapted chain link  extractor

Something like this:

7 minutes ago, nickelsilver said:

Horia Multifunction Tool

I did look at this, and there are clones on Ali Express and eBay.... worth thinking about

[Marc]

This is what I use.

It's an Etic 350.110 which I have seen described as a pusher removal / installation tool but it works just fine for pendant tubes too.

Here in removal mode...

And here in installation mode.

As you can see the hole where the steel pusher pin fits into the alloy frame has plenty of meat around it giving considerable strength.

This is a different design which does look a little more robust and not too expensive.

Edited June 3, 2024 by Marc
additional link

[RichardHarris123]

23 minutes ago, Marc said:

This is what I use.

It's an Etic 350.110 which I have seen described as a pusher removal / installation tool but it works just fine for pendant tubes too.

Here in removal mode...

And here in installation mode.

As you can see the hole where the steel pusher pin fits into the alloy frame has plenty of meat around it giving considerable strength.

Could you provide some dimensions?  Some of them aren't critical but some are, I could probably make a version of it. 

[Marc]

6 minutes ago, RichardHarris123 said:

Could you provide some dimensions?  Some of them aren't critical but some are, I could probably make a version of it. 

leave it with me, I'll see what I can do

[Marc]

17 hours ago, Marc said:

17 hours ago, RichardHarris123 said:

Could you provide some dimensions?  Some of them aren't critical but some are, I could probably make a version of it. 

leave it with me, I'll see what I can do

As promised

I think I've included the most relevant dimensions but the paper is 1mm squared and the drawing is 1:1 so most of the information is there just by counting squares, but let me know if you need more detail.

I have omitted the base for clarity. The frame is some aluminium alloy but the two guide rails, the threaded bolt, the threaded insert for the bolt, and the pusher plate are all steel.

The pusher plate can be installed in either of two locations depending on whether you're installing or removing. Important to note that it has flats on it to lock its orientation to the frame. Also that the axes of the pusher and locating pins are different.

Hopefully the drawing and the photos in my earlier post will give you all the info that you need.

Have fun

 

[RichardHarris123]

Thanks @Marc, I  wanted a few dimensions, didn't expect you to do a detailed drawing.  Very useful, thanks again. 

[Marc]

16 minutes ago, RichardHarris123 said:

didn't expect you to do a detailed drawing

That's the OCD in me!!!

[Neverenoughwatches]

8 hours ago, Marc said:

As promised

I think I've included the most relevant dimensions but the paper is 1mm squared and the drawing is 1:1 so most of the information is there just by counting squares, but let me know if you need more detail.

I have omitted the base for clarity. The frame is some aluminium alloy but the two guide rails, the threaded bolt, the threaded insert for the bolt, and the pusher plate are all steel.

The pusher plate can be installed in either of two locations depending on whether you're installing or removing. Important to note that it has flats on it to lock its orientation to the frame. Also that the axes of the pusher and locating pins are different.

Hopefully the drawing and the photos in my earlier post will give you all the info that you need.

Have fun

 

Wow marc an isometric hand drawing,   no CAD here

[Marc]

2 hours ago, Neverenoughwatches said:

no CAD here

The joke is that I actually have a fully licensed AutoCad 2023 installation on my work computer which I use on an almost daily basis. Sometimes though it's just nice to break out the pencil an paper, and to remind the technology that I'm not as dependent upon it as the world of tech likes to think..... 

[Neverenoughwatches]

1 hour ago, Marc said:

The joke is that I actually have a fully licensed AutoCad 2023 installation on my work computer which I use on an almost daily basis. Sometimes though it's just nice to break out the pencil an paper, and to remind the technology that I'm not as dependent upon it as the world of tech likes to think..... 

I couldn't agree more, i like to break out a book every now and then, its cheaper to run and easier on the eye . 

[Neverenoughwatches]

Ok @Waggy Scott, this just arrived.  Questions ? Fire away, you have my undivided attention for the evening ( well about as undivided as i can muster given that I'm undiagnosably pretty high on the spectrum not sure which spectrum but certainly some boffin's  invented spectrum ). How does it work ? What can it do ? What accessories will fit ? How much ? Is good ? Is it ok ? Is it a piece of shite ? Can you have a banana ?..... Nope ! Why is there a random part of a coffee cafetiere and a light bulb in the photo ?  What are you on ? ......... I'm all ears ( reminds me of a rude joke ) not literally all ears but I'm listening........seeing.......whatever......too much coffee today.

Edited June 5, 2024 by Neverenoughwatches
Got my coffee brewing tools mixed up. Toooooo much coffee

[iiwii]

Bergeon do one (see attached PDF) but it's horrifically expensive (£1195.00 plus VAT from Cousins)

9723_b64152_109830_mde_fr-de-en-es.pdf

[mikepilk]

18 hours ago, iiwii said:

Bergeon do one (see attached PDF) but it's horrifically expensive

So unlike Bergeon