Bridges: A Tough Challenge, but Progress is Here

The bridges have been a real challenge to design! It’s taken a lot of trial and error, and while I now have a very first version, I’ll admit—it’s not perfect yet. I’m not 100% in love with it, but I can already tell it’s going to look awesome once everything comes together. 😊

One of the key constraints I’m working with is a target diameter of 32.8mm. Getting everything to fit within this space while maintaining a balanced and aesthetic layout has been tricky, but I’m making steady progress.

Bridges are such a key element, both structurally and visually, so I’m determined to refine this design further. For now, though, it feels good to have a starting point and to see the movement take another step forward.

Stay tuned as I keep tweaking and improving—there’s still plenty of room for creativity and polish!

Cheers! 😘

Keyless Works: Learning, Adjusting, and Improving

Today, I continued working on the keyless works, diving deeper into the details and learning more with every step. Along the way, I discovered a mistake in my design that needed fixing: I had planned for just one intermediate wheel, which made the stem’s square sliding part way too long!

To solve this, I’ll be splitting the design into two intermediate wheels tomorrow and shortening the sliding path. This adjustment should improve the overall functionality and bring everything into better alignment. 😊

It’s all part of the journey—learning, refining, and iterating until it works perfectly. Stay tuned as I put this new plan into action and keep moving forward!

Cheers! 😅

Polishing Progress and Next Steps

Today, I focused on polishing the yoke, spring, bridge, and covers. It’s rewarding to see these components take shape with smooth finishes and precise details. 😊

Tomorrow, I’ll tackle the two wheels that will connect the sliding pinion to the minute wheel—excited to keep the momentum going!

Cheers! 😅

Keyless Works Woes: A Frustrating Roadblock

Today has been one of those days—crap and frustrating. 😩 I’ve hit an issue with the keyless works, and it’s proving to be a tricky one. The problem lies in joining the sliding pinion with the intermediate hand that connects to the minute wheel to set the time.

On paper, it seemed straightforward, but in practice, the alignment and engagement between these components just isn’t working as planned. I’ve tried a couple of approaches, but nothing has clicked yet. It’s one of those challenges where you know there’s a solution—it’s just frustratingly out of reach for now. 😤

I’ll take a step back, regroup, and do some more research to figure out the best way to address this. It’s moments like these that test your patience, but they’re also opportunities to learn and grow. Hopefully, tomorrow brings some fresh ideas and a way forward!

If anyone has tips or insights, I’d love to hear them. For now, it’s time to step away and clear my head. Watchmaking sure knows how to keep you on your toes! 😅

Cheers! 😅

Progress on the Winding Mechanism

Today, I’ve been focusing on polishing the top part of the winding mechanism. It’s coming together nicely, and seeing the refined surfaces start to shine is always satisfying. 😊

Alongside the polishing, I’ve been trying out different materials to find the perfect balance between durability, machinability, and aesthetics. Each material brings its own set of challenges and opportunities, and it’s exciting to explore how they perform in such a precision-dependent component.

That said, there’s one key part left to tackle: the crown gears for the sliding pinion. I’ll admit, I’m not entirely sure how to approach those yet. It’s a new challenge I’m eager to dive into, and I’m confident I’ll figure it out with some research and experimentation.

Progress may be slow, but every step forward is a rewarding part of the journey. Stay tuned as I tackle the final pieces and continue refining this essential mechanism!

Laterz! 😊

Focus on the Winding Pinion and Sliding Pinion

Today’s work revolved around two critical components of the winding mechanism: the winding pinion and the sliding pinion. These small but essential parts are at the heart of a smooth and reliable movement, and I wanted to ensure every detail was just right.

The winding pinion is responsible for transmitting motion from the crown to the mainspring barrel, while the sliding pinion enables the switch between winding the mainspring and setting the time. Designing and refining these components requires balancing precision and functionality, especially in the tight constraints of the movement.

It’s a rewarding challenge to see how these pinions interact and fit within the mechanism. The precision required highlights how every fraction of a millimeter matters in watchmaking, and it’s a reminder of why I love this craft. 😊

I’m looking forward to continuing this work tomorrow and seeing how these components contribute to the winding mechanism as a whole. Stay tuned!

Laterz! 😊

Learning, Precision, and a Break for Creativity

It’s been a busy time recently as I’ve been diving into the world of milling and machining parts—something totally new to me! The process of learning about micro-precision and bridging the gap between software designs and real-world results has been both challenging and fascinating. Every step feels like uncovering a new layer of possibilities. 😊

But today, I’m excited to take a break from the technical learning and focus on something creative: the winding mechanism. It’s time to work on the stem, bridge, and the two wheels and pinions that bring the mechanism to life. There’s something deeply satisfying about switching gears and immersing myself in the intricate details of watchmaking.

I’ll share updates on how it progresses and how all these elements come together. For now, it’s just great to get back to designing and building components with precision and care. Stay tuned!

This is of course all WIP 😊

First G-Code: Bringing Designs to Life

Apologies for the silence lately! It’s been a challenging few days as I’ve been familiarizing myself with the NSCNC Elara and recovering from a stomach virus. Thankfully, I’m back on my feet and excited to share a major milestone—I wrote my first G-code manually! 🎉

Instead of relying on CAM software, I decided to create the G-code in a text file from scratch, with the guidance of ChatGPT. This hands-on approach helped me truly understand the fundamentals of CNC programming. My test involved milling a simple pattern in wax, a forgiving material perfect for beginners.

Here’s the G-code I wrote, complete with comments to explain each line:

The Elara, equipped with the E3000 controller and 3060 AQC spindle, executed the code perfectly. Watching the machine follow my instructions precisely was an incredibly rewarding experience! 😊

This exercise deepened my understanding of G-code and CNC operations, making me more confident about tackling more complex projects in the future. I’ll continue refining my skills and moving toward intricate designs for the watch components.

Thank you for your patience during this brief hiatus—stay tuned for more updates as the journey unfolds!

😊

First Tests with the NSCNC Elara: Wax Milling Adventures!

The day has finally come—my first tests with the NSCNC Elara are underway, and I couldn’t be more excited! 🎉 This is my very first experience with milling, and I decided to start with wax as the material for these initial tests.

The Elara is an absolute marvel to work with. Even as a complete beginner, I’m amazed at how intuitive the setup feels and how precise the machine operates. Watching the spindle carve through the wax with precision is an experience like no other. 😊

While I’m still learning the ropes, this first test has been incredibly encouraging. Wax is a forgiving material to work with, which makes it the perfect starting point for understanding the machine’s capabilities and refining my technique.

I can already see how this machine will open up countless possibilities for creating intricate watch components. These early steps are just the beginning of what promises to be an incredible journey!

Stay tuned as I continue exploring, learning, and sharing updates from these exciting first days with the Elara. 🚀

Blueing Metal Test: First Experiments

Today, I embarked on my first test in blueing metal, and it was an exciting learning experience! I started with O-1 steel in 1/16" thickness, which I sourced recently. (I’m still on the hunt for W-1 steel, so I’ll test that once I manage to find a reliable supplier.)

For this experiment, I also put my new Evenheat KH Series 13.5" oven to work, and with the guidance of ChatGPT, I developed the following steps for the process:

• Step 1: Ramp rate: 300°C, Setpoint: 300°C, Hold time: 10 minutes
• Step 2: Ramp rate: 137.38°C, Setpoint: 300°C, Hold time: 18 minutes
• Step 3: Ramp rate: AFAP (as fast as possible), Setpoint: 150°C, Hold time: 45 minutes

The results? To my surprise, they turned out better than expected! 🎉

The steel developed a beautiful, uniform blue finish that exceeded my initial hopes for this experiment. This was a great first step toward mastering the blueing process for watch components, and I’m eager to refine the technique further. 😊

Stay tuned as I continue testing with different materials and tweaking the steps. If you have any tips or insights, I’d love to hear them!

Cool! 😊