hi everyone! todd the beginner, novice, collector here.
i just started in January and i am having so much fun!
the watches are great, but the tools are great too!
i love my poising tool. so beautiful.

i love my hand puller tool!

i love my hand putter on press thingy and my ancient swiss blower thingy.

and i love my staking set.
if i could i would use it every day.
came with a roller remover and K&D type staff remover.
love it!
i love my oilers and oils, oil cups, screwdrivers, movement holders, bench keys, and loupes.
i love this hobby.
i know for many of you this is not a hobby but a business.
and i respect that.
but my days of business are done, for me this is an amazing hobby.
and!
i have a nice watch!
love it!
todd

Todd,

You're off to a good start! You'll need to trade your old piston powered Swiss blower in on one of these camera lens blowers ...I have one and they blow all other blowers away!

Rocket Blowers

William

William, love the rocket blowers may get a set just for fun.

Todd get yourself a sheet of "vyco" to cover your bench

My favorite, that I learned about here is Rodico
one touch. Try it Todd, you'll like it.
It is sold on Amazon.

I agree with you Todd ... Watch tools are as addictive and as fascinating as the watches themselves. I have found that the older and simpler the tool design for the job the better it works In this case it is true that the simpler methods worked very well. Just stay away from the old methods (solutions) used for cleaning watches and parts.

The most important thing is that you enjoy your hobby!

thanks everyone.
Chris i googled Vyco, what is so special about it?
right now i do all my work on a large smooth plastic tray. if i drop something it stays in the tray. but it is not ideal.
i have been thinking about adding a rim around the sides and back of my bench to prevent the dreaded 'roll off' and adopting the
David Abbe velcro apron system. but if i do use the velcro apron i will screw the table to the wall as i can envision myself forgetting
i am attached to the table, standing up, and seeing serious damage done to my serenity.

you must have forgotten you were attached once or twice David.

i have also been thinking about painting the top of my bench with white epoxy. hard, smooth and clean.

Vyco is the perfect work surface, heavy self leveling (no need to fix down) , very durable, I spray bleach mine down at least once a week, chemical resistant, easy to spot parts on its smooth surface, feels good to the touch, parts dont bounce, the colour is very easy on the eyes and no glare from bench light.