No.1 has blued steel hands. You cannot just use any steel. Functionally the hands need to be tempered to spring. This allows for repeated assembly & disassembly (during servicing). Also, a spring retains its shape better. Aesthetically, they need to be heat blued. Silver steel serves this purpose very well. Unfortunately, I have only been able to get it in rod form. So, I must make flat bars out of the rods.
Here are two lengths of rod, one for the hour hand, one for the minute hand.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinfWdhuRUh_yTqOH2pcK6wYQaWifMolcGX_WFO3-wwBi48-ZGjgkTOAF_4pCELDBEk0lfT8v4d51bhewqe1YvVpXx8j4yuMcVPj2pZsUNEEYrmtQvT7xFbeiFXR4VRoEfhbnLVzzIdsi0/s400/01.jpg)
These need to be split down the middle.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDo1-Kc3EurGaUZgcJJeeFMy888K_g9jqFeeDZY8NWMJxTrAuucYuTcJkss00oTDbnfYHmItQQNJF3ZTTAChwp1qXDT6oPfiV6w839tcN3flsHJVn18lmVFqhVp_P5du0mgsrOCjDf_4M/s400/02.jpg)
The two halves...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsYg1d8gZaCcV4RUuBWOmxOEewmO2rtnYLDS5xSfY-opG8LnTMUPyIfpCI_y0fGuKr9tnAmi4JG0DxEJ1TZTds_FEZa5VN0BhJ-vn1xL8mouNTkZF88npYhxqW-1JpMpESTOvMN_Oqex0/s400/03.jpg)
The halves need to be filed down into bars with parallel surfaces
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBBT-_vF6YkylXsZulh2my8pdR6BeSIW_Qv21-CJHIAmmJtSq-akdvAuAaCxCsHvEkhvoBZf2jd-eQKd9YhWjh1tIt4ht_iLzqrbhK3kT-k7216eUfzxeKA-eeumtSz0NBBQhqVykdRY4/s400/04.jpg)
In watch work, a good finish is essential at each stage of work. Here are the bars ready to be worked upon.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-w5kQhaCXTYAO28gGFScgf3QwLTliQzMSJSvaPYloGoqLbPgMwFGNg0tTUbkfDQcwNm5i7V7DggG3JnZzLN1CONjU01UpqW5BBKhVdF5VwhvmLqTHSOceyikz4CyuxJm439GEP7ym228/s400/05.jpg)
Next time I will write about making the rough hour hand.
Aditya
I've been really interested in 'bluing' steel of late. This post definitely has me hooked!!
ReplyDeleteBluing is a long way off. First I need to fix the dial on the movement, then finalise the hands installed on the movement & in the case, harden & temper them & then, FINALLY, blue them :-)
ReplyDeleteThis is great stuff! Keep it coming! :)
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see the result! :)
ReplyDeleteWell, here is the next instalment!
ReplyDelete