Basic course on using a watchmaker's lathe

Trainer: Master Pedro Coelho

Capacity : 5

Location: IPR Workshop - Portuguese Institute of Watchmaking - R. Alfredo da Silva 13B, 1300-040 Lisbon

Duration: 12 hours

Calendar: soon

Theoretical:

Safety Tips for Using a Watchmaker's Lathe: Ensuring safety when using a watchmaker's lathe is essential, due to the precision required and the small size of the parts handled. It is important to wear eye protection, keep the workspace tidy and clean, and have in-depth knowledge of the equipment to avoid accidents.

Types of Lathes and Different Uses: There are several types of watchmaking lathes, each adapted to specific functions. For example, bench lathes are suitable for general work, while column lathes are more suitable for delicate and high-precision tasks. The choice of lathe should be aligned with the nature of the work to be performed.

Accessories: Lathe accessories, such as clamps, dividing plates and cutting devices, increase the versatility of the lathe, allowing you to perform a wide range of operations, from cutting to polishing and finishing parts.

Component Parts: A watchmaker's lathe consists of several parts, including the headstock, cross slide, and tailstock. Each component has an essential function in the operation of the lathe, from holding the workpiece to controlling the cutting motions.

Burins - Different Types and Sharpening Techniques: Burins are cutting tools used on lathes, available in various forms such as cutting burins, roughing burins and finishing burins. A correct sharpening technique is crucial to maintain cutting efficiency and precision of work, involving selection of the proper angle and use of specific sharpening stones.

Turnable Materials: Materials frequently turned in watchmaking include metals such as brass and steel, as well as plastics and other polymers. Each material requires specific adjustments in terms of cutting speed and approach to ensure the accuracy and quality of the finished part.

Practice:

The production of a support point and a cock support is a precision task. These devices were selected as central projects in the training in question, representing a challenge that combines manual dexterity with technical precision.

When designing a support tip , the importance of a construction that guarantees stability and minimizes friction is highlighted. You learn how to operate adjustment mechanisms that allow the precise manipulation of parts of different dimensions, an essential knowledge for the watchmaker.

In turn, the cock support stands out due to the need for a solid base and a fixing system that guarantees the integrity of the piece being worked, without compromising its accuracy during the turning process.

Both instruments are pillars in watchmaking technical training, providing apprentices with the opportunity to develop fundamental skills in the construction of essential components for the operation and maintenance of watchmaking mechanisms.

- Construction of a support tip

- Building a Rooster Stand