ei8htohms
8555
most watchmakers prefer some liquid
Hello Jocke,
I've used them dry and also with some water or oil and I can't honestly say which is better. Some will swear that using some water or oil will make the stones last longer and/or cut faster, but I'm not so sure. For me, more important than using a cutting liquid or not is just using a light amount of pressure and rotating the stones often. It takes patience, but if you use a lot of pressure you'll wear out the stones pretty quickly AND won't get a great shape on the blades anyway. Also, the springs should be what's holding the stones in place (from the sides), not the set screws. This will dictate how much downward pressure you can use before the screwdriver blade itself is driving the stones apart.
For these tools in our shop we replaced the stones with diamond stones, which give good results and last a LOT longer, but the conversion was not a cake-walk. Cutting diamond stones on a lathe to put collars on the ends is an experience. 
Enjoy!
_john
I just got home a cool tool................
One problem we have as screws watches is screwdrivers fit badly at times and it is easy to slip when it looks like this. Now there is a solution to this problem, a screwdriver sharpener with custom grindstones. You first run the screwdriver blade back and...
Proof of watchmaker´s quality work
Hi Jocke, my watchmakers also uses such a tool. In his opinion flawless screws slots after a movement has been refurbished are a clear indication of a careful execution. A less thorough watchmaker will use one size of screwdriver for any screw and inevita...
Thanks.............
and the best part is you can repair the blade if it breaks over and over again.
Screwdrivers
Just to say my valued watch repair guy has prized sets of bronze screwdrivers, which do not wreck polished steel watch screw heads. He specialises in servicing vintage watches and clocks. I have tried to buy some bronze screwdrivers myself, to no avail. A...
you can buy bronze rod stock and make your own blades
I've done the same with brass and nickel in the past, but haven't tried bronze. _john
Very cool! ei8htohms earned my eternal respect and gratitude when...
he ground custom blades to take apart my Dufour for our "in depth" article.
It is a good tool
Hello Jocke, That tool takes some practice to master, but can ultimately give you superior results and better fitting screwdriver blades. The ideal blade shape takes some time and a lot of adjustment and trial and error to get to, but should look somethin...
you mean it is not that easy :-)
It really goes to show that there is a lot more thought and skill involved... A good watchmaker is worth their weight in gold :-) Best, Mike
Thanks for the reply John, a question..............
Do you use some kind of oil or water at the stones? Or did you run it dry? Thanks in advance. Jocke
most watchmakers prefer some liquid
Hello Jocke, I've used them dry and also with some water or oil and I can't honestly say which is better. Some will swear that using some water or oil will make the stones last longer and/or cut faster, but I'm not so sure. For me, more important than usi...
Thanks John............
I will try with both water and thin oil and find out whats fits me best. I guess it will be a finer surface from the stones if I use liquid. Thanks for your input it's valuable and appreciated. Jocke
So my roller thingie is out of date now?
as well as beginning to get rusty? Cazalea ...
You're right, and inspection says it's time for me to do some cleanup
on my screwdrivers. Thanks for the hints. Mike
