Guide

How to Clean Watch Parts Without A Machine-Watch Repair

How to Clean Watch Parts Without A Machine-Watch Repair Lesson #8

#Clean #Watch #Parts #MachineWatch #Repair

“Watch Repair Tutorials”

Watch cleaning machines are expensive and not everyone has the budget to buy one. In Watch repair cleaning the parts is one of …

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44 Comments

  1. I JUST COMPLETED YOUR HOMEMADE PARTS CLEANING BASKET AND IT WORKS GREAT. SAVED ME SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS AND DOES A BETTER JOB THAN I WAS USING LIGHTER FLUID AND A BRUSH.

    I ALSO LIKED YOUR VIDEO ON INSTALLATION OF ROLLER JEWELS USING A BROACH TO HOLD THE ROLLER AND LIQUID SHELLAC. I DON'T KNOW WHY PEOPLE STILL DO IT THE OLD WAY WITH DRY SHELLAC.

    THANKS!!

  2. Alex, thank you very much for this video. I am just now learning the art of watchmaking and it has been a great deal of fun and learning. I enjoyed your video very much, but have a follow-up question. Here is my understanding of the steps you've taught:
    1. Pre-clean your components using IPA dispensed from a Menda type dispenser.
    2. Spin watch mesh baskets with watch components in solvent (IPA)
    3. Dry spin
    4. first rinse in first IPA
    5. Dry spin
    6. Second rinse in second jar of IPA
    7. Dry spin

    8. Third rinse in third jar of IPA
    9. Dry using dehydrator

    I feel as though I have missed something here as I wonder whether I should be rinsing in distilled water. Am I only using IPA as the pre-cleaning, final-cleaning and rinse agent? Would it be better to use Hexane as the final-cleaning solvent as it won't dissolve shellac?
    Can you please assist.
    Thanks again. Really appreciate your content!

    Kind Regards,
    Daniel

  3. Such a great explanation. Thanks so much.

    I see an ultrasonic bath mentioned in your comments but I didn’t hear it on the video. When would you use an ultrasonic and what fluid would you use?

  4. Great video, thanks! I am new to watchmaking and maintenance and am in the process of gathering the necessary tools. I have a number of watches that now require maintenance and that easily costs about €400-500 per watch. And because I find watchmaking very fascinating, I prefer to invest in knowledge and materials. I was already worried about cleaning parts because, especially as a beginner, I am not going to buy an expensive cleaner and probably never will. Your basket and jar system is great! I love good DIY solutions!

  5. Hi. Every time i use Evapo Rust, i get some sticky resedue, that i can not get read off. I use aceton, it helps a little, but not perfect, still have some stickiness. Any idia what to use to clean parts after Evapo Rust.?

  6. Hey Alex, great video, as they all are. I've signed up as one of your students on your website, and really enjoying the course. I love your idea of using a food deydrator as a dryer. I've seen your recommendations on temperature, but was wondering how long the drying process takes (approximately). Thank you!

    (Edit: just seen that you recommend 10 minutes on your other cleaning video, but didn't want to delete the whole comment in case someone else finds it useful!)

  7. I didn't know you've ever posted such a useful video. Hexane is mentioned here too! I would like to purchase the q-tip you recommended. Unfortunately, there is no way to get a sharp q-tip right away in Korea. In addition, I am thinking of purchasing a gas mask for the safety of using hexane these days. It is said to be good for preventing inhalation of alcohol vapor such as ethanol.. I'm not sure it'll work.

  8. As someone who's considering getting into the hobby, I'm a little nervous about the tiny parts and my fine motor skills. This video was super helpful with answering my questions on the steps to cleaning without buying an expensive machine.

    I repair cell phones, not even close to the same scale as a watch, but some screws are pretty tiny. So I have those skills to help a little.

    What I'm most worried about actually is my neck and back comfort, I'm only 26 but when I work on phones, leaning over the phone for 30 minutes to 1 hour leaves me pretty stiff, I can only imagine with watches how I'd feel.

    Are there some special glasses that allow you to sit straight while working on a watch that you might recommend? Or maybe a technique to avoiding the aches?

    The pain over time makes me impatient and the last thing I want to do is ruin a watch because I got too impatient.

  9. What should I clean the hair spring with if I don't have access to Hexane or one dip. One dip just doesn't exist in my country and I can't import it. Hexane and heptane are also controlled chemicals so no luck there either. Thanks!

  10. Duuude im just becoming more and more into watch servicing. And seeing the grit in just making things work alternatively and someone like me being able to do as well is really cool.

    I dont even own any powertools but this just shows solutions are always possible. The hobby seems even more enjoyable since subscribing.

    Thanks!

  11. Alex: I put together the basket / jar method and am really happy with how it worked. I got an 1/8" steel rod and some JBWeld from Home Depot and modified the basket like you suggested and it worked great. Thanks for the information and the excellent explanations.

  12. Thank you for great responses. Do you have an idea what is the best way to clean a sticky rust remover from a gear train"s center wheel. I just received a brand new center wheel, and it had some , what i thought , sticky rust.

  13. Your tutorials are the best on Youtube. I love your no nonsense approach and your empathy for people like me that are starting out in this hobby and dont have too much money to spend.
    Liked and subscribed
    Johnny

  14. Exactly what I've been looking for. I'm new to the hobby and I knew there must be a way to do this by hand without all the expensive machinery. Thank you for the great video

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