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Total hinge replacement project "Click" to Login or Register
 
Watchmaker
Picture of Leon Harris
posted
This is a Keystone 16 size hunting case that Mary Ann Scott sent me to repair. I have took several pictures of the process of removing the old hinge and replacing it. This first picture is of the case.

16 size Keystone hunting case
 
Posts: 296 | Location: Livingston, Tennessee USA | Registered: May 20, 2006
Watchmaker
Picture of Leon Harris
posted
this picture is of the bad hinge.

damaged hinge
 
Posts: 296 | Location: Livingston, Tennessee USA | Registered: May 20, 2006
Watchmaker
Picture of Leon Harris
posted
and another of the bad hinge.

bad hinge 2
 
Posts: 296 | Location: Livingston, Tennessee USA | Registered: May 20, 2006
Watchmaker
Picture of Leon Harris
posted
This picture is of the really deep scrapes in the case frame. To make the hinge replacement look good when done. I decided to fill in the deep scrapes.

deep scrapes in case frame
 
Posts: 296 | Location: Livingston, Tennessee USA | Registered: May 20, 2006
Watchmaker
Picture of Leon Harris
posted
this one shows where I added some metal to fill in the deep scrapes on the case frame. In this picture you can see where the old hinge has been removed. Case is ready for the new hinge.

lasered up bad scrapes
 
Posts: 296 | Location: Livingston, Tennessee USA | Registered: May 20, 2006
Watchmaker
Picture of Leon Harris
posted
This one is of the lasered case frame polished and ready for the new hinge

polished scrapes and hinge removed
 
Posts: 296 | Location: Livingston, Tennessee USA | Registered: May 20, 2006
Watchmaker
Picture of Leon Harris
posted
this one is the case and front lid with the old hinge gone

hinge removed
 
Posts: 296 | Location: Livingston, Tennessee USA | Registered: May 20, 2006
Watchmaker
Picture of Leon Harris
posted
this one is the new hinge has been cut, and ready to be tacked weld

new hinge with front cover
 
Posts: 296 | Location: Livingston, Tennessee USA | Registered: May 20, 2006
Watchmaker
Picture of Leon Harris
posted
this picture is of the new hinge tacked to see if it will need to be moved or adjusted

new hinge tacked
 
Posts: 296 | Location: Livingston, Tennessee USA | Registered: May 20, 2006
Watchmaker
Picture of Leon Harris
posted
With the new hinge all welded up and polished and a new hinge pin installed

new hinge
 
Posts: 296 | Location: Livingston, Tennessee USA | Registered: May 20, 2006
Watchmaker
Picture of Leon Harris
posted
different angle on the new hinge. It is close to original hinge.

new hinge 2
 
Posts: 296 | Location: Livingston, Tennessee USA | Registered: May 20, 2006
Watchmaker
Picture of Leon Harris
posted
finished case cleaned and lightly polished. What do you think Mary Ann?

If anybody has any questions I will do my best to answer them.

Thanks for your time.

finished case
 
Posts: 296 | Location: Livingston, Tennessee USA | Registered: May 20, 2006
IHC Member 1101
Site Moderator
Picture of Steve Middlesworth
posted
Beautiful job Leon......looks like new again.

Steve
 
Posts: 1980 | Location: Kentucky in the USA | Registered: March 18, 2008
IHC Vice President
Pitfalls Moderator
IHC Life Member
Picture of Edward L. Parsons, Jr.
posted
That's an amazing transformation Leon, you saved that case from the scrap pile.


Best Regards,

Ed
 
Posts: 6696 | Location: Southwestern Pennsylvania, USA | Registered: April 19, 2004
IHC Life Member
posted
Very nice job Leon!
Is the case solid gold or gold filled?

Steve
 
Posts: 692 | Location: Washington in the USA | Registered: May 23, 2010
Picture of Mary Ann Scott
posted
Leon - the case turned out wonderful! I am so pleased and can't wait to get it back! Big Grin

The transformation is incredible. What was once a beat up broken case now looks like it was just made!

It is gold filled, is original to the movement and has a very nice inscription, so I wanted to restore it. I am glad that I did. I highly recommend Leon and the work that he does! Thank you!
 
Posts: 1047 | Location: The Colony, Texas in the USA | Registered: December 20, 2008
Site Administrator
IHC Life Member
Picture of Phillip Sanchez
posted
Leon, You are the Master. I still want to go over there and be your apprentice. Smile
 
Posts: 4975 | Location: North Georgia Mountains in the U.S.A. | Registered: March 31, 2006
Picture of Edward Kitner
posted
Incredible job Leon, you are indeed a master!
 
Posts: 1488 | Location: New York State in the USA | Registered: March 04, 2008
IHC Member 48
Picture of Keith Klimkowicz
posted
WOW nice job...
 
Posts: 856 | Location: North Ridgeville, Ohio USA | Registered: November 19, 2002
posted
5 stars to Leon. Not only for his excellent craftsmanship, but taking the time to share his expertise with us. Thank you Leon.
 
Posts: 93 | Location: Cockeysville, Maryland in the USA | Registered: October 28, 2009
IHC Life Member
Picture of Robert V. Jones
posted
Great job Leon as you have done for me in the past. That is why I highly reccomend you to anyone who asks me. Thanks for sharing the step by step pictures.
 
Posts: 3468 | Location: Cleveland, Georgia in the U.S.A. | Registered: February 03, 2006
posted
Leon,
That's a beautiful job. Did you grind the old hinge away, or did you use a sep disk, or ??? Those laser welders are nice, that's for sure.
Thanks for showing this project. I'd like to see more of your case work.
Pete Belmonte
 
Posts: 156 | Location: O'Fallon, Illinois U.S.A. | Registered: September 03, 2004
Watchmaker
Picture of Leon Harris
posted
Hi Peter, I have 30 years as a jewelery repairman. So yes I did grind the old hinge away, and yes I did use a sepereting disc in a hand piece. I have reworked a Hamilton model 2 case that I need to get the pictures on the 185.
 
Posts: 296 | Location: Livingston, Tennessee USA | Registered: May 20, 2006
posted
Leon,
I'd love to see the pictures for the Hamilton model 2 case. I used to work on watches, but a few years ago I decided to concentrate on making jewelry (although I still "dabble" in various watch areas), so I like to see this kind of work. I worked part-time as a bench jeweler and I got to assist the jeweler in a similar case repair -- it was a lot of fun to see how it shaped up. Thanks again,
Pete
 
Posts: 156 | Location: O'Fallon, Illinois U.S.A. | Registered: September 03, 2004
Picture of Ernie Loga
posted
Great job, Leon! Some people have talent but Leon has more than that. He indeed is a master!
 
Posts: 900 | Location: Wisconsin in the U.S.A. | Registered: April 28, 2008
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