Watchmaking

"Twenty-eight years after its first publication, the best-selling Watchmaking continues to inspire and encourage the art of watchmaking, especially among new generations of enthusiasts. As a supreme master of his art, George Daniels' advice is constantly sought by both students and watch repairers, his understanding of the problems that can beset the would-be watchmaker, especially in an age of mass production, and his expert knowledge of the history of watchmaking being second to none. Here, the making of the precision timekeeper is described step-by-step and illustrated at each stage with line drawings and brief explanatory captions. The text is easy to follow and care has been taken to avoid complicated technical descriptions. As Daniels is particularly interested in the development of the escapement - many are described in this book, several of his own design - the reader is encouraged to explore this aspect of watchmaking in even greater detail. This classic handbook still remains indispensable to generations of watchmakers and repairers, and also provides a fascinating insight to the enthusiast and watch-collector who, until its publication, had rarely been able to admire the superb craftsmanship of a fine watch without understanding how it works."--From Alibris website.

First published: 1981.

1. Workshop and Equipment -- Workshop Specification -- Drawing Methods -- Visual Aids -- The Lathe -- Lathe Types -- Steel -- Brass -- Binding Wire -- Shellac -- Measuring Tools and Gauges -- Pointing and Boring Machines -- Optical Measuring -- 2. Hand Tools -- General Bench Tools -- Drills and Drilling -- Screws and Threading -- Shoulder Screws -- 3. Finishing Steel and Brass -- Hardening Steel -- Finishing Materials -- Polishing -- 4. Turning -- To Make a Balance Staff -- Turning and Fitting Pinions -- 5. Wheels and Pinions -- Wheel-Tooth Forms -- Pinion Cutters -- Wheel Cutters -- Train Design -- Depthing -- Wheel Cutting -- Topping Tools -- Pinion Cutting -- Hardening and Polishing -- Escape Wheels -- 6. Making Small Components -- Square Holes -- Barrel Arbors -- Ratchet Wheels -- Pawls -- Stop Work -- Barrels and Covers -- Balance Rollers -- Levers and Pallet Frames -- Chronometer Detents -- Hands -- 7. Jewelling -- Standard-Sized Jewels -- Cutting and Shaping Stones -- To Make a Jewel Hole -- To Fit the Jewel -- The Ruby Cylinder -- To Shape Pallet and Locking Stones -- 8. Escapements -- General Principles -- Verge Escapement -- Cylinder Escapement -- Duplex Escapement -- L…