Traditional Watch hand bluing - DIY watch Club Hand Bluing Kit

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2 жыл бұрын

This video is a hands on review ( no pun) on the DIY Watch club Thermal bluing kit. I will attempt to blue watch hands using the traditional method for the very first time.
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DIY Watch Club Hand Bluing Video
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Пікірлер: 126

@MyRetroWatches 2 жыл бұрын

DIY Watch Club Website: shop.diywatch.club/?ref=-mz51sVAwui4c for 5% off use Coupon Code MICHAELBOLTON DIY Watch Club Hand Bluing Video kzfaq.info/get/bejne/d8t5hrmZv96wnWw.html DIY Watch Club Screw Bluing Video kzfaq.info/get/bejne/bL6TmrGAxJ-nmnU.html

@brandonspencer309 2 жыл бұрын

The miyota moment, the screws look good! A suggestion if I could; take that sold rotor/weight try to do the gradient technique that you did on that one hand!??

@MyRetroWatches 2 жыл бұрын

@@brandonspencer309 the rotor you can’t blue it’s not made of the right type of steel. Plus the larger the object the hotter for longer it has to be and a risk of distortion to the steel which would be catastrophic in a watch. If it could be done it would have by now by the professionals and high end brands.

@SteveIgnat Жыл бұрын

Just the night before I watched this video, I blued the face of a wristwatch. I hadn't thought of bluing HANDS ...or even screws for that matter. Thumbs UP, good sir!

@rkeller1ify 2 жыл бұрын

Very informative - I’ve just gotten into watchmaking and haven’t tried bluing watch hands yet! I am a gunsmith and oil bluing gun screws and small parts is a normal event. In gunsmithy we don’t use brass shavings, just a torch - we quench in motor oil - gun screws are usually larger than watch screws so the shavings seem necessary. If i do a gun screw i will hold the screw shaft in pliers and let the color migrate to the head. Great video - I’ll give this a try

@MyRetroWatches 2 жыл бұрын

Interesting, the only thing I know about quenching is to do with hardening steel. Some like water and some like oil depending on the grade.

@Alex-px2mb 2 жыл бұрын

Par for the course here this was very well-done and honest, showing the fun - and the potential pitfalls. I always appreciate that you're willing to show the entire process, including the "learning curve" and not editing out your own mistakes so that viewers can really get a sense of the process, and decide for themselves whether they're up for it. And the results after a little effort were excellent! I didn't know about DIY Watch Club until this video but now they are bookmarked. It's a quality product and you're doing the right thing by getting the news out so that more people are exposed to the craft and the hobby. Cheers! Also: As Colonel Raymond Keller's comment shows, gunsmiths have accumulated a lot of expertise with bluing and other kinds of finishing for various parts over the years, and it's worth tapping into.

@MyRetroWatches 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this lovely comment. Appreciate the support.

@rbmwiv 2 жыл бұрын

I bought a pack of bamboo skewers at the grocery store I use for my peg wood, they come pre sharpened.

@rbmwiv 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome job. That Miyota movement looks awesome with the blue screws. Much better looking than the NH35.

@MyRetroWatches 2 жыл бұрын

Yes the NH35 needs more work but I think I can improve that considerably next time.

@steve1811uk 2 жыл бұрын

Great work Mike. I can feel the buzz that you got from doing that.

@MyRetroWatches 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Stephen, I did really enjoy using it and I am now looking for anything to blue!

@rbmarbella 4 ай бұрын

Amazing tool kit!

@watchmedraw4340 2 жыл бұрын

Years ago I made a lucky penny by putting a penny on a stove element. This is awesome. It gives me so many ideas.

@stephenhuber1079 2 жыл бұрын

The Myota blued screws came out great! Seems like a nice kit to have some fun with.

@MyRetroWatches 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks. I’m still impressed with the Miyota

@mrclockman1950 2 жыл бұрын

Well done nice kit too great to see you back

@MyRetroWatches 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you. It’s good to be back on the tools.

@simonwilkinson7955 2 жыл бұрын

Superb Mike - I thoroughly enjoyed that.

@MyRetroWatches 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Simon !

@onlyvintagewatches 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent video and great kit! I would definitely buy it!

@MikeB_UK 2 жыл бұрын

Love your blued screws on that display back watch. Totally transforms it. Brilliant work there.

@MyRetroWatches 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks

@1rightrev 2 жыл бұрын

This is amazing!

@custardo 2 жыл бұрын

Those hands really do look great. Bluing produces such a rich colour

@MyRetroWatches 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks, its so hard to tell though under spotlights as the angle has to be just right.

@tiburonski 2 жыл бұрын

Congratulations! Wonderfully made and great choice of the watch vintage design! I love it especially with the blued hands! I will get such a set definitely in the future and maybe I will try to colour the hands in all sorts of colours 👏

@MyRetroWatches 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for your comment. Nice feedback. I agree the vintage style of watch suits the hands perfectly. Shows that this company do put allot of thought into their products. It’s owned and ran by a watch modder.

@yoursureshotphotographypra8961 3 ай бұрын

Love your videos and your genuineness. Thanks for the same

@adrianbirkett594 2 жыл бұрын

Great job Mike!, especially on the Myota. Great cam work, hope your keeping well. Adrian.

@MyRetroWatches 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks, you too!

@chrisdickman7080 2 жыл бұрын

Definitely going to build a kit like this

@MyRetroWatches 2 жыл бұрын

Good luck. Just remember never to touch the hands and to quench in distilled water. Oh and pat dry the hand

@pipodorologio1648 2 жыл бұрын

Nice to see this old technique in a new box...Just wrote an article about the finishing of movements and watches for Rikketik Magazine, blueing hands and screws being a great decorative as wwell as functional process. Thanks for sharing Mike

@MyRetroWatches 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for watching and commenting. I really enjoyed this video and now have a new skill!

@res00xua 2 жыл бұрын

Well done as always! I really enjoy your channel.

@MyRetroWatches 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much!

@darrencheshire8546 2 жыл бұрын

Great process, and great work on the bluing! Looking forward to the pocket watch. Stay safe buddy hope your doing well?

@MyRetroWatches 2 жыл бұрын

So far I know I need a balance staff for the pocket watch but possibly more parts. Thing is I have not been able to find one yet.

@clivejameson9033 2 жыл бұрын

That looks tremendous fun Michael! Nice quality result too 👍

@MyRetroWatches 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks mate. Something you will be trying in no time I think !

@clivejameson9033 2 жыл бұрын

@@MyRetroWatches I've been saving my brass chips for that special occasion 😁

@deedee8568 2 жыл бұрын

Great. A fair price for reusable system.

@MrLukealbanese 2 жыл бұрын

Brilliant Mike, great stuff 👍👍👍

@MyRetroWatches 2 жыл бұрын

Hi Luke. Thanks pal

@MrLukealbanese 2 жыл бұрын

@@MyRetroWatches a really nice one Mike, cheers Luke

@walther9161 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome video. On the pocket watch, please try making some setting lever springs or jumpers… Love the blueing!!! Thank you for another great video !

@MyRetroWatches 2 жыл бұрын

I can't make springs I can only loose them!

@rasheedpm1063 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent 👍 ❤️ Very good effort 🆒 And good informations , thank you for your sharing 👌

@MyRetroWatches 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you.

@red75v67 2 жыл бұрын

Well done Mike. Great results for a first attempt with cameras.

@red75v67 2 жыл бұрын

Oh have a look at Red Dead Restoration on the Pulp Fiction trench watch. He uses a long tang of brass with the hands on the end. Then heats the opposite end of the brass and when the hand colour is right, flicks the hands into liquid below. Cheers, Howard

@MyRetroWatches 2 жыл бұрын

@@red75v67 yes I saw him do it and someone also in these comments on my video posted a link to a pro doing it pretty much the same way as red dead. Love RD Restorations and he is a nice guy too, offered to help me once with some parts I needed.

@eric_has_no_idea 2 жыл бұрын

I got one of the watch kits (Miyota skeleton) because of one of your previous videos. Very worth it as a noob. I'd totally trust anything they put out at this point. After this video I will probably get this kit too. I need some blue screws.

@MyRetroWatches 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for this feedback . I genuinely love what this company do. The owner has a passion for watches and is a modder originally and it’s carried through into the business.

@markcarr2757 6 ай бұрын

This video is a year old but I just discovered it, thankfully. I have not tried this but have done some process work that might apply. First, to even out the color change, try a deeper bed of brass. That will disperse the heat so to make the full bed closer to the same temp. I think that one could use same deeper beds to batch hands (kindly see last point about quenching). Next, when batching screws in brass shavings and trying to quench them at the same time, try just raking them out the open end of the tray and into the water. Why would brass in quenching water hurt? Last, you may have learned subsequently what I suspect, that the water doesn't SET the color per se but quenching does stop further changes due to residual heat in the filings. Any sudden cooling would have the same effect, I expect.

@MyRetroWatches 6 ай бұрын

Quenching sets the colour by rapid reduction in temperature. In theory you could scrape the filings into water but I only have a limited amount and filtering them and drying is not desirable. The change in colour happens real fast, it’s in seconds when you get to the blue / purple . Ironically I’ve still not used this kit since thr video (to my shame)

@SideWalkAstronomyNetherlands 2 жыл бұрын

Nice bling-free watch, I'd buy it if I had any money :)

@spavliskojr 2 жыл бұрын

Great to see an actual DIY kit for this.. Tried this myself on several attempts. Noticed its hard to make all the hands the same shade of blue and the hands tend to heat up unevenly and blue at a different rate from tip to eyehole. gotta be real careful not to overdo the the heat to get the whole hand one shade. At that point youve gone too far and youll have to start again.

@MyRetroWatches 2 жыл бұрын

Agreed . I think when it’s at dark brown take the heat away and then only do it gradually as this should give you more time. I found the temptation is to rush , at least it was for me. Clearly it’s a skill that shows just how difficult it is to get matched .

@jeff1176 2 жыл бұрын

You know, for a kit these hands look REALLY good on that dial. I really do like it. I don't know if I'd ever try it. I'd probably end up burning my fingers or something worse. Lol. I'll say this, it's not as easy as Chris from Clickspring makes it out to be. Great job Mike , great video. Those hands set that silver dial off. Great kit, maybe one I'll try it out.

@MyRetroWatches 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks. Yes best advice is not to touch anything!

@martinlouden9005 2 жыл бұрын

A beautiful watch Mike, made even more beautiful with the newly blued hands. If you'd pop it into a jiffy bag and send it to my home address I'd be very much obliged!

@vesselingenadiev2526 2 жыл бұрын

If you want to blue a number of screws together, you need to make a small brass plate with number of holes in it (the plate can be something like 4-5 cm and you can even make a handle to it) and then you heat up the plate from beneath. This way all the screws will be blued simultaneously.

@vesselingenadiev2526 2 жыл бұрын

And I forgot to add - once you reach the desired blue colour, you just turn upside down the plate and pour the screws in water.

@ronjenkins4257 Жыл бұрын

If bluing can be done in volume, and I don't see why not, then I imagine a movement maker like Seagull could blue thousands of pieces at a shot. The frequent assumption is that they do not, but I've never seen evidence one way or another.

@martinkavanagh9641 2 жыл бұрын

That was EXCELLENT Mike .. My guess is that if the steel in the part is approaching 'Stainless Steel' you wouldn't be able to 'BLUE' at all .. and - maybe - you might be able to use this technique to temper home made SPRINGS ?? Cheers Mate.

@bt3750 2 жыл бұрын

I watched a video where the Nekkid Watchmaker did this on his stove using a slab of metal to distribute the heat. He did the hands at the same time so the color was the same.

@MyRetroWatches 2 жыл бұрын

Joe is the best. A professional. that being said someone posted a link in these comments to another pro who also done them one by one for the same reasons. doing more than one you run the chance of colour change unless you can successfully pick up both hands at once. Also hands are of a different size and will change colour at different levels given the size.

@timholden7031 2 жыл бұрын

Really enjoyed that video Mike. Very interesting and you did a great job. However, when you kept saying 'bluing the screws' I kept thinking 'screwing the Blues '.....and Everton must win tonight 😂😎💙⚽️

@MyRetroWatches 2 жыл бұрын

My father would be pleased with you as he is an Everton fan!

@timholden7031 2 жыл бұрын

@@MyRetroWatches well we won !

@mossytrail Жыл бұрын

Great video and idea for a starter kit. Hey DIWC hook a fellow up with an ambassador kit. Virtually unknown in my area.

@carlrees5574 2 жыл бұрын

brilliant stuff Mike!! i think this is a great addition to any tool kit and i will be considering it in the near future... Miyota movements should always be covered up 🤢

@MyRetroWatches 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Carl. I know what you mean about Miyota but I now like this one as I think my bluing has made it allot more attractive. Then I would be bias as it took ages to do!

@clydedenby1436 2 жыл бұрын

It's expensive but the results are quite nice.

@rahuldutta5313 2 жыл бұрын

Is quartz option available?

@lulul 2 жыл бұрын

Good job! It seems indeed very satisfying and it was entertaining aswell. I was wondering if some other parts could be colored with this method, like the seiko 5 shield or even larger parts of the movement like a bridge (especialy on those movements that have 3 small bridges next to one another) or something like that..

@NomadicPhoton 2 жыл бұрын

I don't think you can blue movement bridges, as they're generally plated brass. However, anything steel could be blued, movement screws, hands, hairspring. Although i wouldn't recommend attempting to blue a hairspring.

@MyRetroWatches 2 жыл бұрын

I would doubt that could be done otherwise you would see it done. Not all parts are steel I guess mainly to keep magnetism at bay , lots of Seiko bridges in vintage watches are plated brass alloy. Another consideration is warping, steel is not stable heated and the last thing you want is a warped bridge.

@rosshunter3172 2 жыл бұрын

I would like to ask a question. I watched an old video of yours re Citizen Digi Ana service and movement replacement. I have a Citizen Jet Boy which does not work. It was the last present my mother gave me before she passed and I would love to get it working again. I sent it to Citizen in Japan but they said they don't have parts for discontinued watches. Can you please suggest how I can get someone to fix it? It is so sentimental and have tried so hard with no luck.

@dbzamora 2 жыл бұрын

Nice work Mike! Can you actually put in three hands at the same time to get a uniform color? Same for screws. Very informative as usual and quite inspiring. Cheers!

@MyRetroWatches 2 жыл бұрын

They don’t recommend it. Even the pro’s do it one by one, It changes colour quickly from purple to blue so by the time you have taken one off and quenched then go back for the other and so on can lead the other two to be different.

@alexanderveit3286 7 ай бұрын

That's a great video! Thanks. I absolutely love the shape of these hands. Where did you get those?

@MyRetroWatches 7 ай бұрын

Hands came with the watch as part of the bluing kit.

@alexanderveit3286 7 ай бұрын

Oh, I see. Thanks!@@MyRetroWatches

@John-P 2 жыл бұрын

That was really interesting, just a question, would it not be better to do both hands at the same time so the colours match?

@MyRetroWatches 2 жыл бұрын

It’s not recommended , at least by DIY. They state it’s hard to keep the temperature consistent and then the size of the hands can play into it too. Then you also have that gap to quench. Your not likely to pick both up in one go and that small gap in time could make the colour slightly different if the filings are seriously hot. I guess if you get good at it through practice then doing more than one could be feasible

@troynasello2085 2 жыл бұрын

Love the shirt! Where do I get one?

@MyRetroWatches 2 жыл бұрын

Look at my mech tab and click a link as it’s then on the page it takes you to. Sadly YT does not like that shirt to promote it. Some bot keeps banning it.

@Inkreptile 2 жыл бұрын

Funny how you're also using random blocks of metal for a base lol I have collected a few incorrectly ground and failed metal parts and use them for everything lol very handy

@MyRetroWatches 2 жыл бұрын

Not random, its what I sell at work precision ground tool steel. High carbon.

@Inkreptile 2 жыл бұрын

@@MyRetroWatches kinda figured it came from your work, But given your using them for this purpose I don't think they're ground? Very cool though, I like working with surface grinders and axle grinders at school

@MyRetroWatches 2 жыл бұрын

@@Inkreptile it’s ground. All my steel is. We usually do it in the shop.

@Inkreptile 2 жыл бұрын

@@MyRetroWatches OK cool 🙂

@chris-builds 2 жыл бұрын

I think to really get the screws nice you have to polish them more first.

@MyRetroWatches 2 жыл бұрын

I’d agree with that but I really need a lathe to do a good job on them which is a tool too far right now.

@the_9ent 2 жыл бұрын

Would it be possible to blue a rotor weight?

@MyRetroWatches 2 жыл бұрын

No. It’s not made of the right steel. You also have to consider heat can distort steel and that is not something you want in a watch.

@vanderdole02 Жыл бұрын

Hot topic ;)

@conradlake2143 Жыл бұрын

I am about to start stripping watches etc but my eyes are not great (50+ syndrome)😊 but I see you have a head mounted magnifier. Where did you get it from please and is it good for watchmaking etc. Thanks

@MyRetroWatches Жыл бұрын

I have links to them on my tool page on my site. myretrowatches.co.uk/tool-sale-links/

@tissapathiratna7761 Жыл бұрын

Mick what is name of yellow substance U are heating ?

@MyRetroWatches Жыл бұрын

Hey are just brass filings

@tissapathiratna7761 Жыл бұрын

@@MyRetroWatches Thanks.

@MuhButtsBeenWiped Жыл бұрын

I dont think the 9000 series movements are ugly. A bit agricultural maybe but i think that has a lot to do with the rotor design. If they put Geneva strips or perlage on the rotor it would look much better imo. Even in its original form, i think it's a better looking movement than any of seikos nh movements.

@MyRetroWatches Жыл бұрын

I cant remember what I said in the video now to be honest but I would agree that any NH movement although reliable and durable is not attractive. Many of the 70s seikos I have worked on most movements are very uninteresting visually.

@mematitr Жыл бұрын

Nice t shirt. Where i can buy this?

@MyRetroWatches Жыл бұрын

Thanks it’s one of my own designs. kzfaq.infoO5349929361209923532

@BryanO92 2 жыл бұрын

You always want to do the hour and minute hand together or they're bound to be mismatched.

@MyRetroWatches 2 жыл бұрын

Agreed

@Bigpopasmurf34 2 жыл бұрын

Mr. Bolton, my name is Agnes, my nephew is typing this as he is more knowledgeable. There is no way to send you a direct message and this is easier, I'm using Kevin's account given to me by him a few days ago. Kevin loves watches especially your videos, at his request I was to contact you, Kevin suffered a massive heart attack 3 days ago, with deep regret he didn't survive it, he was 57 and his health limited to his pleasures in life. He was so much of a delight and like a kid when he was here watching you. Forgive me if this is inappropriate but I wanted to keep his wishes and to say thank you for all you done for him. With all regards ,Agnes M.

@MyRetroWatches 2 жыл бұрын

Dear Agnes. My heartfelt sympathies to you and all your family that knew Kevin. I only recognise the name Michael Kendric Kane as this account comments on allot of my videos so I can only assume that was Kevin? This is terrible news and I am so sorry for your loss for Kevin at such a young age. Nothing I can say I’m sure will help you in your grief but I am touched you wanted to thank me for making him happy through my videos. I would, with your permission like to dedicate one of my restoration videos in his name. Perhaps if your nephew could email me on michael@myretrowatches.com we can discuss this further so I can make a tribute to him in an up and coming episode. My thoughts are with you.

@SideWalkAstronomyNetherlands 2 жыл бұрын

As long as you don't burn your hands, than you'be screwed ;)

@MyRetroWatches 2 жыл бұрын

Or head! There was a stage in setup where I bumped the tray with the filings. That made a right mess!

@skydernet 2 жыл бұрын

If you thought their video was good, you should also watch Roger Smith do it: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/mZ-ifKl2qpnWoaM.html kzfaq.info/get/bejne/o5l8p9CDlZeVZXk.html

@MyRetroWatches 2 жыл бұрын

He is on another level to most of us. A true professional. Thanks for sharing

@gori277 Жыл бұрын

Probably gonna be Captain Obvious here, but if you wanna match all hands of the same set to the same colour, maybe do them all at once?

@MyRetroWatches Жыл бұрын

It’s advisable not to do that. They blue quickly when up to temperature so unless you can pick up all of them in one go to quench and set the colour the chances are one will colour more . Also the second hand is a lot thinner and will be up to temperature quicker

@gori277 Жыл бұрын

@@MyRetroWatches Got it. There’s probably a more scientific way to control the temperature (mini-oven?) but that probably takes the fun and skill out of the whole process.

@jeffnewbill5599 2 жыл бұрын

Way too much money for what you get in that kit, all of these things can be sourced for much less.

@MyRetroWatches 2 жыл бұрын

Perhaps but also because you have now seen it. This kit is convenient and their tuition videos which are only available from purchase are superb so you are also buying that part.

@jeffnewbill5599 2 жыл бұрын

@@MyRetroWatches if you have that kind of money to blow, I don't. Lots of KZfaq tutorials on how to blue hands.

@MyRetroWatches 2 жыл бұрын

@@jeffnewbill5599 each to their own Jeff. In watchmaking this is nothing. Try buying a decent jewellers tool or staking set. I agree it’s not cheap but it’s convenient as its all there in one place. I still admire this company for thinking about making such a product as it is niche. They are aiming at modders more than watch makers I feel.

@jeffnewbill5599 2 жыл бұрын

@@MyRetroWatches I'm just too cheap and thrifty to buy something like this when I know what's involved with a kit like this. I agree it's probably aimed at modders, would be a nice kit at the $100 mark.