NAWCC Field Suitcase

Required Student Supplied Tool List for F100, F101, F102, F103, F104, F201 &F301 FSW Courses

Required Student Supplied Tools for F101, F102, F103, F104, F200 & F201 FSW Courses

The student must bring the required tools listed, by course below, to class.  Students not bringing these required tools may not be allowed to take the class.

On Buying Tools:  The student should decide the quality of tools they want to buy, however, we do encourage the student to buy good quality tools.  A tool is an investment, and the use of poor tools can make your work more difficult and time consuming.  When purchasing higher quality hand tools look for brand names such as: Channel-Lock, Bergeon, Dumont, Swanstrom, Lindstrom, Corradi, Grobet, Peer-Vigor & etc. Sears Craftsman brand is also good and guaranteed. Economy tools are usually made in China, Pakistan or India and the steel is soft and quality of these tools is not as good, so beware! 

Drills: The drills recommended would be high-speed steel, 118-degree screw machine twist drills; cost is approximately $60.00 for a set of #1 to #60 drills. Clock parts vendors do not always have the highest quality drills.

Saw Blades: A good jeweler’s saw blade would be a Herkle #4, available from Rio Grande, S. LaRose and other suppliers

Files:  Files should be high grade Swiss, or American.  A good file will cost $10 to $15.  There are two classifications of files to look for:

1. American files: American pattern files or shop files come in several configurations acceptable for this course.  Look for configurations such as: Flat, Hand, or Mill files.  These files are available in single cut or double cut surfaces, and the cutting surfaces are classified as bastard (course), second cut & smooth cut. 
2. Swiss: Swiss pattern, needle or Jewelers files.  These files are classified from #00 to #8 with the #8 having the smoothest cutting surface.  These files have all sorts of shapes such as rectangular, round, half-round, triangular, square, etc.  Some files have one safe side such as the Barrette, with no cutting surface at all.  Equivalences between the Swiss & American systems are: #00=Bastard, #0=Second Cut & #2=Smooth Cut.

Lathes: There are two general types of lathes available; used Jeweler’s lathes and new/used micro-lathes.  The FSW program recommends not buying a Lathe until the F200 class is taken, where buying instruction is given.  See the minimum Lathe configuration needed for the FSW Program in the F200 Outline.

Jeweler’s Lathes: The Jeweler’s lathe is good, but COMPATIBLE accessories may have to be bought separately, possibly from different vendors.  All Jewelers lathe components are not compatible so do not assume just any part will interchange, however some vendors will configure compatible Jeweler’s Lathe components, if asked. DC or Universal AC/DC motor should be chosen, with a compatible motor speed control device; Lathe motor rheostats are not recommended.  Motors operating on DC voltage are more efficient and have more torque.  The 8mm Lathe with not less than a 12” bed is recommended.  A collet holding tailstock is a very good feature.  Cost for these lathes including the bed, head & tail stock, tool rest and motor will run $300 to $500.  3 and 4 jaw Sherline chuck can be adapted to an 8 mm Lathe for about $130 each.  Used cross slides are available for 300 to $500.  If a Jeweler’s Lathe cannot be accessorized with compatible parts it is useless to the student and should not be purchased. Do not buy a lathe with rust, physical damage or mismatched parts.

Micro-lathes: Sherline is a good choice for students wanting micro-lathes and can be purchased new with all accessories from one vendor.  Used Sherline Lathes are also available, but the student should beware of these lathe with damages or rusty accessories.

Lathe Split Chucks or Collets:  The size of the lathe and its split chuck is designated by the diameter of the bore through the headstock spindle.  The most common size to use in clock repair is the 8 or 10 mm.  The 6mm and 12mm sizes were also used by the watch & clock industry, but rare and difficult to find.  Increment or size of a particular set of split chucks can be in fractions (usually 1/64 increments), in millimeters (usually 1/10mm), or in Stubbs’ wire gauge as used in some drill sizes.  The number on a metric split chuck and on a Stubbs’ wire chuck may be the same, but will mean an entirely different size.  For example:  A #10 in the metric set would equal 1mm.  The #10 in the Stubbs size would be 4.9mm or 0.193”.  Stubbs size range from #1 (.228 inches) to #80 (.0135 inches) with increments of .001” to .007”.  Metric sizes run from #1 (.1mm) to #80 (8.0mm) with 1/10mm increments.  The metric increments are preferred because the divisions are fine and equal. Domestic collets are available new for about $9-$12 each, used collets from $6 up. 

There were a lot of different manufacturers of split chucks, and they are not always interchangeable.  It is best to try each chuck in the drawbar & headstock before purchase or have an exchange agreement with the seller.  Some Moseley chucks are longer; the Boley keyway is shallow; Derbyshire makes a large diameter “8mm” requiring a larger drawbar. The chuck should have no rust, the three slits that separate the jaws should be equally spaced, and the thread and keyway should not be distorted.

Where to Purchase Tools:  Students can purchase these tools from the vendors listed on the FSW vendor list.  When a vendor is specified, that item is usually available from limited vendors, but is only given as a reference so the item can be found and does not restrict the purchase to that vendor.

Discounts:  Some Horological vendors give discounts to NAWCC members if asked, especially if a large quantity of tools are purchased at one time. Discounts are strictly between the buyer and seller and the FSW makes no promises or guarantees regarding discounts on tools.

Tools students are required to bring to specific classes

Student’s tools for the F101 Course:

• Bench lamp
• Bench Vise, minimum 3-1/2” jaw width; or drill press vise, 2-1/2” jaw width (Palmgren or equivalent is a good brand) .
• Box to hold movement and parts:  Plastic shoebox with cover or cigar box.
• Extension with 12-foot cord for lamp
• Eye loupe or optical hood, 2x to 5x power. Optivisor is a good brand.
• File; Barrette type (#4 or #6 cut).
• Files: 4” or 6” set of jeweler’s files.
• Hammer: 4 oz. ball peen hammer
• Hammer: Brass
• Jeweler’s Saw Frame: 1 dozen  #4 Herkler brand saw blades   S LaRose, Rio Grande
• Leather gloves
• Mainspring “C” Clamps, (2 sets).
• Movement holder (hanging assembly post kit).
• Oiler: With high quality synthetic clock oil (brands: Nye, Moebius, Novostar, Le Perle).
• Paper towels (roll).
• Paraffin or Bees wax to lubricate jeweler’s saw blade
• Pin Vise Set (sold as a set of 4)
• Pivot locator: small type with hook on end(s)
• Pliers, small set: flat-smooth nose, long nose and diagonal cutters. (Good to buy quality here)
• Safety glasses
• Screwdrivers: 4-6” long, with blade widths of 3/32”,1/8” & ¼”.
• Spring letdown key set with handle (4 or 7 piece American set).
• Stand appropriate for testing the clock being repaired (can be home made, student’s choice).
• Table lamp: student’s choice.
• Tweezers: utility type or lower quality
• Wrench: 4” crescent type.
• Optional: Lathe, Bushing tool, Spring winder (do not buy for this class).

 F102 Student tools: all tools specified for F101 plus the following,

• Assortment of suspension springs for going barrel time/strike and chime clocks.
• Broaches (a 5-sided cutting set and a smoothing set).
• Optional: Lathe, Bushing tool, Spring winder (do not buy for this class)

F103 & F104 Student tools: all tools specified for F101 & F102 plus the following,

• Beat amplifier or clock timer with beat amplifier
• Clock testing stand compatible with clock brought to class
• Weights, cables, winding crank, key and pendulum for the clock being repaired and tested.
• Optional: Lathe, Bushing tool, Spring winder (do not buy for this class)

Student’s tools for the F200 Course  

• Bench lamp (Student’s choice)
• Bench Vise–min. of 3-1/2” jaw width.       Mounted on ¾” board. (See picture)                    Hardware store, MSC, ENCO
• Chalk for files, type used on blackboards
• Clamp--to mount vise to table or bench (See picture)
• Extension with 12-foot cord for lamp
• Eye loupe or optical hood, 2x to 5x power. Optivisor is a good brand.
• File card or Suede shoe brush (to clean files)
• Files: Shop or Flat Bastard files with handles (files must be sharp):                                    Hardware store, ENCO   or MSC   8” to 12“ double cut, 8” or 10" flat single cut, and a 6” round taper
• Hammer, 4-oz ball peen
• Jeweler’s Saw Frame: 1 dozen  #4 Herkler brand saw blades   S LaRose, Rio Grande
• Leather gloves
• Paper towels
• Paraffin or Bees wax to lubricate jeweler’s saw blade
• Pin Vise Set (sold as a set of 4)   Horological Part Vendors
• Precision measuring instrument (Student option, choose from below)
  1. Digital Caliper with both Inch & mm scale or   Horological Part Vendors
  2. 6” Vernier Caliper in Inch and mm scales or   MSC #06410112
  3. A Micrometer 0 – 25 mm and a Micrometer 0 – 1”   MSC #06392708 & #06400410
• Safety glasses
• Scale or ruler: 1/2 x 6in. flexible 5R–Starrett type   MSC #86412822, Hardware store

F201 Student tools: all tools specified for F200 plus the following,

The minimum Lathe configuration recommended was explained to all students in the F200 class.  The student is required to bring either a Jeweler’s or a Micro Lathe with the features and accessories described below to the F201 class, no exceptions, please. 

AGAIN PLEASE NOTE: The student should not plan to attend the F201 class without each and every tool in one of the Lathe configurations detailed below, for they will not be able to finish the class without these tools.  If the student has questions about this Lathe configuration, please call a FSW instructor for your answer.

F201 Students with a Jeweler’s Lathe are required to have the following: 

• Compatible operational Lathe & bed with foot or base, head-stock, tailstock and draw bar
• Tool rest
• Steady rest
• Universal AC/DC motor
• Motor speed control with on/off switch (rheostats are not recommended; instead bring an autotransformer or Variac)
• AC-to-DC converter or full wave rectifier bridge circuit.
• Jack-shaft or Counter-shaft.

F201 Students with a Sherline Lathe are required to have the following: 

• Operational Lathe & bed with base, headstock and tailstock
• Tool rest
• Steady rest
• Head-stock collet adapter
• Tail-stock collet adapter
• Sherline Jacob’s chuck
• Sherline Motor with speed control & on/off switch.

F201 Students with other type Lathes: Other type Lathes are required to have an equivalent configuration to the Jeweler’s or Sherline Lathes outlined above including the accessories.  Lathes without collet adapters, tool rests, or steady rests are not recommended bases on past students’ experiences who were not able to complete their class. 

Lathe Mount: It is good to have the Lathe mounted on a board or similar surface that can be attached to the table with a clamp so it is rigid and does not move when being used.

Collets needed for any F201 Lathe configuration: It is believed that students doing general clock repair will need, as a minimum, a set of collets #10 through #50 in even numbers. However for the F201 class, with the required 3-jaw independent chuck, only the #16, #32 & #48 collets are needed. (If the student has a Jeweler’s Lathe, the Sherline 3-jaw chuck with a 8mm adapter is sold for a fair price and is recommended). 

Other tools needed for the F201 class:

• #1 thru 60 HSS or Cobalt Drills-Screw machine or stub drills (no imports)   MSC #01176601 
• Tap 4-40 NC Threads, spiral gun type   MSC #84810449
• Tap 6-32 NC Threads, spiral gun type   MSC #84811637
• Tap 8-32 NC Threads, spiral gun type         MSC #84811728
• Tap wrench   MSC #05041637
• Thread die, 8-32 NC Threads   MSC #03772241
• Thread die, 6-32 NC Threads   MSC #03772183
• Thread die wrench   MSC #03720646
• Circular saw blade 1¾ x .020, 3/8 bore   MSC #73292708
• Pin Vise Set (sold as a set of 4)   Horological Part Vendors
• Files: 4” or 6” set of jeweler’s files
• File: Barrette type (#4 or #6 cut).

Student to bring materials and tools made in the F200 class.

Tool List F301 Basic Pocket Watch Repair

These tools are referenced with a Timesavers (TS) part number for identification only. It is highly recommended for the student to shop around at other parts vendors.

Required Student Supplied Tools

1. Screwdriver Set; TS #16971 or equivalent
2. Peg wood; TS #10462
3. Tweezers; TS #19276; 3c or #5
4. Oilier; TS #23295 or # 13248
5. Loupe / Magnifier 3 and 5 power or a visor with 5 power
6. Pliers; small chain & flat nose
7. Hand Remover; TS #15481 or #13427
8. Bench Blower; TS #15800 (This can be as simple as a baby bulb/syringe that is used to clean out
   nose matter. They are available at most drug stores.
9. Movement Holder (See picture)
10. Bench Plate (White Cardboard 14 x 10 inches) or TS #18228
11. Movement Cover (1qt Tupperware container or equivalent)
12. Bench Block; TS #13449
13. Pith wood; TS #10459
14. Bench Light & extension cord (Table top type light preferred as not all tables work for the clamp on type lights)
15. Oil Cup; TS #20045 or equivalent
16. A student made watch assembly bench: This bench is used by the student to sit on a standard tabletop to assemble their watch movement at eye level. The bench needs to be about 12” wide, 10” high, 18” deep, so assembly can be done on the 12” by 18” top. Sides will be 10” by 18”, and the front & back will be 10” by 12”. ¾” plywood is a good choice of material. A back in the box made from ¼” plywood will give stability so the box will not flex. As an alternative, a heavy duty child’s chair could be used to sit on so that the work is at about shoulder level. Your lower arms will need to be supported to steady your hands and fingers while working on watches.