I just got home a cool tool................
Now there is a solution to this problem, a screwdriver sharpener with custom grindstones.
You first run the screwdriver blade back and forth between the stones that you can adjust the width of the gap and when you're
happy with the result you can move it over to the other flat stone and leveling of the blade until it fits into the screw.
It's hard to shot but you understand what I mean.
The final result, perfect fit.
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 inevitable damage the screw slot. After a while a sharpening of the screwdriver becomes necessary like you have to do with a pencil.
So, just by looking at the screw slots the layman can get a first idea how carefully a movement had been treated in the past.
Kind regards and thanks for showing us a photograph of the sharpening machine!
anaesdoc
Thanks.............
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. Anyone know where to buy bronze screwdrivers please?
Another advantage with bronze tools is they do not magnetise.
you can buy bronze rod stock and make your own blades
Very cool! ei8htohms earned my eternal respect and gratitude when...
It is a good tool
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 something like the blade in the image below.
With a lot of use you'll find that you'll create flat spots on the grinding stones, so you'll want to rotate them frequently, especially if you're sharpening large blades from scratch. Also, an ideal blade shape would have a different curvature for a different diameter blade and that's not really possible, so you'll find that very small blades don't have much curvature.
Enjoy your new tool!
_john
you mean it is not that easy :-)
A good watchmaker is worth their weight in gold
Best, Mike
Thanks for the reply John, a question..............
Thanks in advance.
Jocke
most watchmakers prefer some liquid
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.
Thanks John............
surface from the stones if I use liquid.
Thanks for your input it's valuable and appreciated.
Jocke
You're right, and inspection says it's time for me to do some cleanup
