Monday tips for students of horology: 3 common 'tweezer mistakes' which prevent you from progressing - but could easily be avoided.

Let’s get straight into it.

 1. Learn how to hold watchmaker’s tweezers properly.

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INCORRECT

CORRECT

2. Select the correct tweezers for a particular task

If you've bought a kit tool from us then you have received 3 different tweezers in your set. While the maker or model may vary, the set consists of general, fine and very fine tweezers. 

Make no mistake: even a general work tool ( #1 or #27) is a delicate instrument, not designed or suitable to be used as a spring bar removal tool, prying levers or hole punchers!

By general work we really mean the handling of internal watch movement parts like train gears, bridges and screws. Long tip, light tweezers like Bergeon #7026-SS is a super fine tool designed for handling the escape wheel and pallets. I also like to use them to handle watch hands. Of course there are many different models (we stock over 20!)  https://shop.clockmaker.com.au/search?controller=search&s=tweezers

3. Keep your tweezers separate from all other watchmaking tools. A small wooden box or plastic container is a must. Keep the tip cap on at all times. Chokamour chocolate wooden boxes make the perfect container for tweezers "I wish I had more time to practise!" This is a lame excuse. Practise! Don't let your precious tools remain idle. Here is a simple exercise which requires nothing more than your tweezers and some rice. The aim is to pick and transfer the lot from one container to another. Not difficult at all, and you can do it while your call is placed on hold, while listening to a boring client, or when the boss is not watching. Mastered the rice? You are ready for sugar! Keep your tweezers clean, oil and dust free, don’t drop them and practise daily. This fine manual work will keep your brain sharp for years to come.  Watchmaking sucks as a profession, but makes a wonderful stress-free hobby.  Next time, I’ll share with you a simple technique on how to polish and maintain tweezer tips. https://shop.clockmaker.com.au/search?controller=search&s=tweezers

By general work we really mean the handling of internal watch movement parts like train gears, bridges and screws. Long tip, light tweezers like Bergeon #7026-SS is a super fine tool designed for handling the escape wheel and pallets. I also like to use them to handle watch hands. Of course there are many different models (we stock over 20!)  https://shop.clockmaker.com.au/search?controller=search&s=tweezers

By general work we really mean the handling of internal watch movement parts like train gears, bridges and screws.

Long tip, light tweezers like Bergeon #7026-SS is a super fine tool designed for handling the escape wheel and pallets. I also like to use them to handle watch hands.

Of course there are many different models (we stock over 20!) 
https://shop.clockmaker.com.au/search?controller=search&s=tweezers

3. Keep your tweezers separate from all other watchmaking tools. A small wooden box or plastic container is a must. Keep the tip cap on at all times. Chokamour chocolate wooden boxes make the perfect container for tweezers "I wish I had more time to practise!" This is a lame excuse. Practise! Don't let your precious tools remain idle. Here is a simple exercise which requires nothing more than your tweezers and some rice. The aim is to pick and transfer the lot from one container to another. Not difficult at all, and you can do it while your call is placed on hold, while listening to a boring client, or when the boss is not watching. Mastered the rice? You are ready for sugar! Keep your tweezers clean, oil and dust free, don’t drop them and practise daily. This fine manual work will keep your brain sharp for years to come.  Watchmaking sucks as a profession, but makes a wonderful stress-free hobby.  Next time, I’ll share with you a simple technique on how to polish and maintain tweezer tips. https://shop.clockmaker.com.au/search?controller=search&s=tweezers

3. Keep your tweezers separate from all other watchmaking tools. A small wooden box or plastic container is a must. Keep the tip cap on at all times.

Chokamour chocolate wooden boxes make the perfect container for tweezers

"I wish I had more time to practise!"

This is a lame excuse. Practise! Don't let your precious tools remain idle. Here is a simple exercise which requires nothing more than your tweezers and some rice.

The aim is to pick and transfer the lot from one container to another. Not difficult at all, and you can do it while your call is placed on hold, while listening to a boring client, or when the boss is not watching.


Mastered the rice? You are ready for sugar!

Keep your tweezers clean, oil and dust free, don’t drop them and practise daily. This fine manual work will keep your brain sharp for years to come.  Watchmaking sucks as a profession, but makes a wonderful stress-free hobby. 

Next time, I’ll share with you a simple technique on how to polish and maintain tweezer tips.



https://shop.clockmaker.com.au/search?controller=search&s=tweezers

Chokamour chocolate wooden boxes make the perfect container for tweezers

Now stocking the best watchmaker's tweezers in the world - Dumont

As you already know, Dumont is considered the manufacturer of the world's finest tweezers. In business since 1881, Dumont makes tweezers in 11 different alloys, three classes, and dozens of shapes. If you are looking for "good tweezers" Dumont makes good tweezers. If you want "really good tweezers" Dumont makes really good tweezers as well. If you need the "Very Best Tweezers" made in Switzerland, then the Dumoxel and Dumostar alloys are the way to go – a perfect tool for professional watchmaker.

Six months ago, we placed our first order with Dumont for a selected range of watchmaker’s tweezers – and we are now proud to announce the very first delivery of hand polished, made ‘per order’ tweezers. In stock!

Dumostar 0109 (Style 1,3,5) This Dumont patented alloy is composed of C, Cr, Mo, Mn, Co, Ni and Si. Dumostar is more elastic and more resistant to corrosion than the best stainless steel. It is also resistant to mineral and organic acids as well as salt. Although slightly more expensive than other alloys, Dumostar is 100% anti-magnetic and is resistant to sterilisation temperatures of up to 500°C. Dumostar 0109 tweezers are simply the top of the Dumont range. Price: $81 + GST each Dumoxel 0103 (Style 1,2,3,4,5) Dumoxel is composed of C, Cr, Ni, Mo and Cu and is the most popular choice. This alloy was developed and patented by Dumont to offer the best in resistance to corrosion thanks to its high concentration of molybdenum and chromium. Dumoxel also guarantees an excellent resistance to sulphuric environments, hydrochloric acid, as well as to all other mineral and organic acids. Dumoxel is 95% anti-magnetic, resistant up to temperatures of around 400° C. A great choice for general bench work. Price: $45 + GST each.  Bergeon Tweezers: the famous Ref. 7026 set of 8 Set of 8 stainless steel anti-magnetic tweezers: 7026-1 / 7026-1-2 / 7026-3 / 7026-3C / 7026-AA / 7026-5 / 7026-7 / 7026-SS. All Tweezers are resistant to corrosion, acids and alkali. Price: $359 +GST for a complete box set. To all of you, we remain grateful, and we are here to serve you. https://shop.clockmaker.com.au/12-tweezers