WatchTech

It's Just a Tiny Screw Photos by Anna Yakutenok Text and on the lathe Don Corson What does it take to make a simple small part? Let's follow the making of a horn screw for the UFO-Tourbillon case. The lathe I will be using was made by G. Klett in East Ger...  

And his name is Corson, Don Corson. I always thought you ( and most of the Independants ) bought their screws from a thrid part... I was wrong. Impressive. Best, and thanks for this superb post, my friend. Nicolas PS... Always a pleasure to see the UFO!

Well, I can't speak for others, but I do buy most of my screws. The UFO-Tourbillon, for example, has 37 screws in the movement and 12 in the case/buckle. Of the 49 total screws I make 11. Movement: 8pcs 0.4mm cylinder head 12pcs 0.6mm conical head 10pcs 0... 

And why most people are not, and never will be capable of this kind of work. Thank you and more power to you! Thanks Cazalea

The work that went into that is just amazing, and to produce several exactly alike using the same steps (given so much hand-eye coordination in the milling) is even more incredible.

Thank you for this fantastic photo essay. It has been very interesting for me to see everything that goes into a fine screw. For now, I must content myself with cheap, anonymous screws. Regards, Jon

...and that's having a Walmart buyer on your side ;-)

..

and crafted mechanical watches cost what they do (still a lot of unjustified inflation though IMO :-). Thank you for sharing this and its great to hear from someone who actually walks the talk.

Geez you must be a patient man Don. cheers PAt

Is the lapping film of aluminium oxide or industrial diamond type? Pretty ingenious to use blue-tack to remove the debris from scratching the surface. Just curious, how long does it take from start to finish for one screw? Kong

For the detailed illustration of how a screw is born from a watchmaker's fine hands! It really is an unbelievably high level of patience, precision, detail that goes into a small part that we all would take for granted! Thank you Don for giving us this ma... 

Thanks, Don. The demonstration was as impressive as all of your work. I have to admit, though, I don't understand how one can make threads for a screw on a lathe. Do you turn the lathe very slowly as the tap moves up the screw's shaft? I probably shouldn'... 

A giant step for watch making? :) cen@jkt

So well documentated, thank you Don, you made my day...what a beautiful profession/hobby, starting with a piece of rod and creating a little jewel. Bravo Kind regards Francois

Best regards, Jack Freedman

Have enjoyed it from the first pic to the last. Thanks for sharing. I've told you many times, but I'm going to do it again, I LOVE the UFO. Vte :)

Screws are perhaps one of the most important parts of a watch. And considering there are so many screws within a watch and the fact they contribute to so many problems, it's good to see that there are still individuals who put in so much time and effort i... 

Great post, Don! :) It would be interesting how many hours to make the parts contra how many hours to put the watch togheter... Thank you for sharing! Best Blomman

firstly, Don....this is FANTASTIC ....super detailed and graphic. would be great for a full on technical section. any chance for a equipment and tool definition and illustration? for example, I am confused by x-axis micrometer and manual graver T-rest. Ot... 

Thank you for sharing your incredible skills. I had no idea there were so many steps involved with making what is likely one of the simpler components of a watch! I now understand why watch makers decorate the surfaces of watch components; it's to celebra... 

..."the hard way" – as I thought it was just a “demonstration” – when I read Nicolas reply. I think that’s where the word craftsmanship comes from. Just beautiful, Don. This message has been edited by marcelo on 2012-07-26 18:00:14

Is art, pure craftsmanship , human ingenuity, dexterity, pure human artistry something that allows me to praise "us" as humans. Beautiful! Indeed!

And what a pleasure must be owning one of his watches made with such dedication and passion! :-)

It's amazing to see how much work is involved, even if I don't understand some of the stuff you explained in your pictures :P But I sure can appreciate all the work involved to make a screw in 45 minutes. Wow imagine if you had to make screws for a living... 

... because I was going nuts thinking about what Don does to make just one tiny, yet incredibly important part. But as I think about it, aren't all us Purists just a little nuts? All the best, my friend. - Scott

Made me apprecIate those little buggers a whole lot more now!

We always underestimate all the work behind, we never know how much we underestimate it, again I had never imagined that ! Thanks for this HQ contribution Don. Your UFO is a remarkable watch ! cheers Francois

Never saw you with a beard before ... :) Now this is a great show! I always knew you are anal about the details in your watches, but this is really great! I would not go so far to call it vyskocilerian, though, since your screw does exist in the material ... 

I always had a full beard. On these pictures you can see why I started shaving, my beard is white, but the hair on my head isn't. Vanity said, start shaving. You should have seen the look on my wifes face the first time I shaved. She had never seen me wit... 

... from an amazing watch maker. Thanks for the deep insight, Don. Clearly it's not just a tiny screw, and the incredible amount of effort that goes into making 'just a tiny screw' is astounding. Maybe you will also show us how you make those beautiful ho... 

. . . "God is in the details". Thank you, Don. Fascinated, Art

Hi Don, This is a great article about the joys of hand manufacturing. Nice job! By the way, I think you misplaced the decimal points in the lapping film grain sizes. _john

Your right John. The units should be m (meters) not mm (millimeters) Thanks for pointing that out. Don

Great post Don! I really enjoyed reading this and loved all the details on the machining process. Regards, ED-209

People often think with high value goods that there must be a quick way of doing things. Who would have thought so much work went into a 'simple' screw?

To that you can buy at wood-mart.

You are a true precisionist! An informative and inspirational post. Thanks for giving many of us a better understanding of the effort involved in the manufacture of these tiny machines and their parts. tempusfugit

Is there any preference for particular stee alloy for particular types of screws? - SJX

"The screw I will be making is part of the case so it will not be made of standard carbon steel as most of the screws in a watch movement are, but of stainless steel 316L. Although the 316L is more difficult to machine than carbon steel in its "normalised... 

Apologies if you misread it. I assume that lugs screws are subject to greater torque than movement screws, so is there any preference for certain alloys for their strength etc? I'm not referring to finishing. - SJX

SJX, I may have misread your question but maybe I just misunderstood myself (sic) ! I thought Don had written the answer already. For most applications, screws maintain the integrity of the bond by compression forces and resilience to deformation upon rel... 

These screws have a hole in the end for a fixed or spring bar for the strap. This same hole would be in the horn of the case normally. 316L has no problem when the hole is simply drilled in the horn, I expect none in this case either. The only problem I c... 

Don, Ta-daaah! :-) You finally made it......the report I mean; and not the screws,which, you have been making for the UFO Tourbillon anyway. Thanks to the photographer too: VERY patient. I like the way you introduced the participants: "...and on drums....... 

but such a wonderfull post. We know it takes a lot of effort to make 'only this screw' but such a post makes it even much more interesting Thank you !

... to produce a single screw, I really enjoyed seeing the tools and old lathe. This hand work and history is a big part of what makes mechanical watches so interesting to me. Even with modern technology to help, there is still so much skill and experienc... 

Is all about. :) The detailed photos and the explanation that you have included in your article, certainly brings it home to us the collector, what it takes to make a single piece. And has already been mentioned, this is why owning a watch made by an inde... 

A fascinating look at the hard work and real skill needed to build a watch -- even the seemingly simplest components. Thanks for posting this! Best, Gary

Thanks Don, for taking us to your workshop! I DO like watching the watchmaker at work :-) Ken

How do you make really tiny screws, e.g. those used on small balance wheels which seem to be less than 0.5 mm on some movements. The tools you show in your excellent presentation cannot have that precision. Thanks and cheers. Jim

Sorry I have taken so long to answer this. The smallest screws I have made up 'til now are 0.5mm. My equipment would allow to go smaller without any problem. The trick is knowing your tools and how they react. I do not make most of my screws because it is...