First horological masterpiece: done!

[FeelingTheBlues]

Greetings TRF,

Two weeks ago I described my first week at my watchmaking school in this thread. At that time I was already in the process of working with basic tools and getting used to do some manual work on metal.

Well, after working very hard on it, I finally finished my very first job!

Here it is, ladies and gentlemen!








































































...My limed, sanded and polished brass block!



For those of you who are wondering why it took me so long, keep in mind that I have jewelry classes twice a week, therefore I couldn't work on it during those days...

...Besides, it was quite hard!

Basically I had to make sure that all the thin sides were perfectly straight and I had to make sure at least one of its angle was one of 90 degrees (all this while using a metal file and putting the block on a vice, might I add). After that I had to sand it using three types of sand paper to get all the dings and scratches off before polishing it using a little paste and a cloth.

It is now in a little plastic bag because I will use it in another class, I need to make sure it doesn't get scratched again (can you believe it? I, the man who never cares about scratches on his watches, have to be careful about a brass block...).

Notice, despite the poor quality picture, the reflection of my cellphone in it...

...Do I notice tears of joy in some of you guys' eyes?



Have we ever started a your Rolex and metal block thread? Anybody? Dino?



...And now the bad part!

Sanding it was quite a job, I had to press it quite hard with my fingers and rub it very quickly on the sand.

...Yes, I pressed that hard (don't mind the dirty fingers, it wasn't a clean job at all...)!





Today I also worked with a bocfil, I had to cut some brass (again) and I had to make sure I always kept it straight to avoid breaking the blade (which happened...twice...). I am now in the process of making two small triangles out of a block with a hole in each one of them, I'll have to lime, sand and polish them again and make absolutely sure they are a certain size so I can use them for another class (in which I'll have to make a little cylinder to put on those holes). In the end it will become a little stand on which I can lean some tools.

Thank you for reading, feel free to comment!

[Runnin' Rebel]

Just keep going Carl !!

[Silvio Mosiello]

Nice man!

[Grissom]

You are moving forward, Carl!! I predict that what you make now will become very near and dear to you, in the future! Congrats are in order, blisters and all!!

[Sixshooter]

Way to go Carl. The blisters mean you are doing something!

[FeelingTheBlues]

Thank you guys, your comments are much appreciated!

Of course I turned this thread into a joke but I'm quite proud of it, the result (in this case, that is) matters more or less, the most important thing is that I've been able to work with those tools and that I've been able to actually make something out of it.

Now I'm really looking forward to making that tool stand, it's going to be quite useful (and a nice decoration, might I add...).

P.S.: I feel quite lucky I didn't take this class a few years ago, apparently they had to make a perfect brass cube back then...

[caryyee]

Keep up with the updates Carl, it's great to see your write about your journey, fascinating!!!

[toph]

, good work , got to start somewhere. Are you enjoying it?

[FeelingTheBlues]

Originally Posted by caryyee

Keep up with the updates Carl, it's great to see your write about your journey, fascinating!!!

Thank you Cary! I know it may not be the most interesting part of it but the first two months are supposed to be the worst (the ones in which you see a lot of people quiting because some will subscribe without having a true passion for horology or don't really know what they're getting into), after that you get to be much more into the subject.

Still, I find it very interesting so I like talking about my brass...

Originally Posted by toph

, good work , got to start somewhere. Are you enjoying it?

Thank you Chris, I knew you would especially enjoy this thread!

I love my classes! I find it very interesting (even if it doesn't look interesting by the threads I write...).

[toph]

Originally Posted by FeelingTheBlues

Thank you Cary! I know it may not be the most interesting part of it but the first two months are supposed to be the worst (the ones in which you see a lot of people quiting because some will subscribe without having a true passion for horology or don't really know what they're getting into), after that you get to be much more into the subject.

Still, I find it very interesting so I like talking about my brass...



Thank you Chris, I knew you would especially enjoy this thread!

I love my classes! I find it very interesting (even if it doesn't look interesting by the threads I write...).

I am sure it would be fascinating , I have considered it before but I am too clumsy with small intricate things. I have mastered after years of practice changing straps and adding removing links . How long is he course ?

[FeelingTheBlues]

Originally Posted by toph

I am sure it would be fascinating , I have considered it before but I am too clumsy with small intricate things. I have mastered after years of practice changing straps and adding removing links . How long is he course ?

A year and a half for the formation but you can get another one (which is five or six months) to get more knowledge on more complicated watches and chronographs.

[cedargrove]

Looks great. So does the shot of your Rolex btw.

It reminds me of Karate Kid . Wax on, wax off type of thing. You're learning the basics and required to perfect them. The right way IMO.

What does is it mean "to lime the block"?

[Kinnakeet]

Greetings Carl- your brass block is amazing- and i can appreciate how much work went into it! Ouchy blisters........are they going to effect your guitar playing?

[FeelingTheBlues]

Originally Posted by cedargrove

Looks great. So does the shot of your Rolex btw.

It reminds me of Karate Kid . Wax on, wax off type of thing. You're learning the basics and required to perfect them. The right way IMO.

What does is it mean "to lime the block"?

Thank you Rich! It does take a lot of patience but I have the felling I'm getting somewhere with this!

As for liming the block, it's more like using a file on it (filing?), I even took a look on Google...I guess it's just not the way to say it!

In French we would say limer, I know the English word is filing but I thought we could say a limed block...

Originally Posted by Kinnakeet

Greetings Carl- your brass block is amazing- and i can appreciate how much work went into it! Ouchy blisters........are they going to effect your guitar playing?

Thank you Michelle!

As for the blisters affecting my guitar playing, I guess I'll have to see when I'll have a guitar to play on, it should be okay though because it is on my left hand (the one holding the pick), I'll just have to avoid finger picking for a little while...

[GradyPhilpott]

You must have the patience of Job.

[Kinnakeet]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

You must have the patience of Job.

Yes! you have to, to be a jeweller ! Wait until the watch making/repair starts-not only patience, but a really steady hand...Carl you are the man for this job!!

[FeelingTheBlues]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

You must have the patience of Job.

I guess we can put it this way Grady.

I've got some bad news though guys: my blisters just burst...it burns!

Originally Posted by Kinnakeet

Yes! you have to, to be a jeweller ! Wait until the watch making/repair starts-not only patience, but a really steady hand...Carl you are the man for this job!!

Funny how you should say that, my hands kept shaking as I was working on my silver ring the other day...it's quite the quality to have when you have a torch in your hand and need to work with fire and very hot metal...

[drockadam]

Fantastic Carl! I enjoy hearing updates from you! The strap looks good on the DJ!

[hdrazor251]

Hang in there Carl. The blisters will turn to calluses as you transition from rookie to veteran.

[FeelingTheBlues]

Thank you kindly gentlemen!

Adam, thank you for the good words regarding my leather band, I do enjoy it indeed!

[Brushpup]

Thanks for posting Carl, it is interesting to see how they start you out. Kinda like the Military in a way. Testing your mettle....no pun intended. I am anxious to see the stand when you are done.

[cecilia]

Nice Carl. You are doing great at school i see. Keep posting how it goes. Oh, do you need a bandaid for that little finger? :)

[FeelingTheBlues]

Originally Posted by Brushpup

Thanks for posting Carl, it is interesting to see how they start you out. Kinda like the Military in a way. Testing your mettle....no pun intended. I am anxious to see the stand when you are done.

Pretty much like it indeed but at the same time you don't really have the choice, you must know the basics before you start playing in those fancy movements.

Thank you Patrick!

Originally Posted by cecilia

Nice Carl. You are doing great at school i see. Keep posting how it goes. Oh, do you need a bandaid for that little finger? :)

Thank you Cecilia! However I won't need a bandaid this time, I took care of it like a grown up man!

[cecilia]

Good for you, but be careful with those tools. :)

[Monte Cristo]

Ouch! that blister looks painful, remember....no pain no gain

[Lol-x]

Thanks for sharing, I really like to see these kinds of personal experiences.

Well done on the block

Good luck and work hard, remember if achieving great things were easy, everyone would be so qualified. Perseverance, patience and practice will make perfect.

[Feras]

Always fun to see such experiences especially from Carl
Thanx for sharing buddy :-)

[Cru Jones]

great block, carl!

more seriously, thanks for the update. good fun following along. much appreciated.

a while back i picked up the watch pictured below, which was supposed to be bronze (it was my attempt to satisfy my dream of a PAM 382, which i knew i likely never would have). when it turned out the source material was brass, i returned the watch, but, seeing as it was brass, i thought you might enjoy seeing a watch made of brass (instead of a brass block).

[FeelingTheBlues]

Thank you very much guys, that's much appreciated!

I am patient and I keep focusing on my work, however unrelated to horology it may seem (although I do see the link). No matter what I do I have a lot of fun using those tools...even if it can be painful sometimes!

Cru, that's a very nice watch! I know I've seen it before but had no idea you returned it. It does look different from my block...

[Lisa]

Carl, how was your grade on the brass block? Will you get to keep it? It would be cool to have it displayed somewhere as a humble reminder of the start of your journey into becoming a master watchmaker.