Messed up a bracelet link. What do I do?

[-dustin]

Originally Posted by Andad

So i guess i can't use it on my $35K bike?

No. That would require a PM tipped driver.

[Bulldozer]

Originally Posted by Tools

Based on this, I would say "Step away from the watch!!!"

No, do not bash the other end with a hammer..

There are fixtures made that hold the bracelet in position so a screwdriver can be used with pressure and torque. The treads need to be heated to high enough temps to break the loctite.

google Bracelet Screw Remover

Here is one type.

Thanks. I have the bottom plastic, not the whole setup. Is it better to have the whole setup?

Originally Posted by Dr.Brian

I think I’d listen to Larry in this situation if I were you.
You think you can’t mess it up any more, but believe me, you can.
Time to let the pros have a go at it.
Good luck.

It may be weeks before AD will open around here. Also, is this something an AD will be able to do in-house, and not have me wait without the watch for a few weeks while they send it to RSC?

Originally Posted by myc ritz

One of these would be more gentle and should work. You can usually find them on Hodinkee, when not sold out.

What are these called? And what exactly do they do?

Originally Posted by -dustin

Harbor Freight sells them, too. With parallel faced bits.

What do I search for?

Originally Posted by Cryten

If you messed up the factory head that badly, there's nothing you can do to fix it. We see this in the engineering field all the time. If you couldn't get it out with the fixture intact, you aren't getting it out by jury rigging it.

Removing that link with the others either side is the best option, otherwise pulling it apart completely and destroying it is more likely.

Vice grips and a vice will assist in the latter. Google will show how they're assembled. With enough force they come apart.

Like literally break the link?

Originally Posted by mmmmp

An EXCELLENT idea!

Although I still think with some carefully applied heat, a fresh screwdriver and a slow, patient approach: you can remove the mangled screw / pin yourself.

You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by giving it a try. Good luck, if successful, post some pix.

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Do hairdryers generate enough heat to expand the bracelet link enough to make it work? Is it dangerous to take a heat gun to the modern oyster bracelet?

Originally Posted by inadeje

Acrylic Jawed Vice and drill both sides with a 1.6mm diamond tip or similar steel drill.

Fit a new link. Done.

Drill through the link screw, shattering it?

Originally Posted by jburson250

This was your first error. The correct bit size is 1.7mm.

Please get one of these:

https://www.esslinger.com/horofix-sc...tips-included/

Best Regards,

Thank you very much!

Originally Posted by 77T

I agree 100%.

No need to rush to take that link out.

Wait until your AD opens. You’re going to need a new screw anyway so let their watchmaker take care of it.

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Well, I don't need this screw as I'm taking this link out.

[Bulldozer]

Also, has anyone tried to use brake cleaner with purple loctite? If it worked on the red loctite, would it work on the purple loctite as well?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7b1zphuPWA

[Bulldozer]

Originally Posted by jburson250

This was your first error. The correct bit size is 1.7mm.

Please get one of these:

https://www.esslinger.com/horofix-sc...tips-included/

Best Regards,

Would you definitely recommend that over this one?

https://www.esslinger.com/horofix-ge...djusting-tool/

Seems like this one might be more versatile.

[77T]

The brake cleaner idea works when there is enough space between the threads of a fastener and the threaded part to which it is bound. And one’s ability to apply it directly to the point where the loctite was applied.



Because the threaded part of the screw is covered by the center link of its adjacent one, it could be very hard to apply enough.

The amount of heat from a hair dryer will easily soften the purple loctite. But you’ll need some luck with applying enough torque using the screwdriver. The type of screwdriver tip is called “hollow ground”.

Good luck - take some pics of the current situation and your eventual solution.

You should replace the screw into the removed link because you may need to add it back in some day in the future. They will never be cheaper than today’s price.


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[Calatrava r]

My AD told me they now have a special machine provided by Rolex to melt the Loctite. Now I am told all new watches are delivered with Loctite and that is the reason for the machine. I am not a fan of Loctite either. All the heating I have done at home did not work so now I have to use an AD to resize a bracelet. There was a time I easily resized any of my Rolex watches, so the general use of Loctite is a recent trend I would think. Prolonged vibration of any type will dislodge a screw. I had one loosen from long bike rides on a road bike with high pressure tires. Amazing the vibrations from that.

OP leave your watch alone and let an AD fix it, if it can be, or send it to Rolex for installation of a new link. Sorry about the current delays for you to do that.

[Calatrava r]

Originally Posted by Bulldozer

Also, has anyone tried to use brake cleaner with purple loctite? If it worked on the red loctite, would it work on the purple loctite as well?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7b1zphuPWA

I doubt it can soak through enough to work. But worth a try.

[jburson250]

Originally Posted by Bulldozer

Would you definitely recommend that over this one?

https://www.esslinger.com/horofix-ge...djusting-tool/

Seems like this one might be more versatile.

The tool I linked is the one I own. The tool you linked should work nicely, as well.

The important features are the hollow ground 1.7mm tip and a large diameter barrel (handle) that you can grip securely while applying torque.

If you don't have a hair dryer, you can use warm water. It's only necessary to soften the Locktite, not melt it. Please don't use automotive/industrial solvents.

[Golfpaul66]

Jewelers do this all day. I purchased a Tudor and the previous owner used loc-tite in the links. I was unable to budge it even after heating the threaded end. I finally threw in the towel and brought it to a jeweler. He tried heat but eventually put the bracelet into a sonic cleaner. The sonic cleaner apparently loosened the loc-tite enough to get the screw out.

[Bulldozer]

Originally Posted by 77T

The brake cleaner idea works when there is enough space between the threads of a fastener and the threaded part to which it is bound. And one’s ability to apply it directly to the point where the loctite was applied.



Because the threaded part of the screw is covered by the center link of its adjacent one, it could be very hard to apply enough.

The amount of heat from a hair dryer will easily soften the purple loctite. But you’ll need some luck with applying enough torque using the screwdriver. The type of screwdriver tip is called “hollow ground”.

Good luck - take some pics of the current situation and your eventual solution.

You should replace the screw into the removed link because you may need to add it back in some day in the future. They will never be cheaper than today’s price.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

I could try to apply it from the other side? Is there not enough clearance for it to flow through to the threads from that side?

Originally Posted by jburson250

The tool I linked is the one I own. The tool you linked should work nicely, as well.

The important features are the hollow ground 1.7mm tip and a large diameter barrel (handle) that you can grip securely while applying torque.

If you don't have a hair dryer, you can use warm water. It's only necessary to soften the Locktite, not melt it. Please don't use automotive/industrial solvents.

Thanks. Have you owned both? The 2100 version seems to be more versatile?

[Bulldozer]

Oh gosh. I just took some pictures to post in the thread, and saw something I did not see with my naked eye. Is that a lodged broken tip from one of the screwdrivers I have tried? I've also made a small scratch in the adjacent link.

If it is a lodged tip, how do I get it out?

[T.Mas]

From the pics, you should heat and unscrew the screws next to the damaged one, then replace with 2 new links, or try to remove the broken screw very, very far away from your nice watch and use the same links with a new screw.

[Bulldozer]

Alright, once I removed the broken off tip, I was able to use a hairdryer and a new screwdriver to get it out! What a mis-adventure this has been!

[-dustin]

oh my.

(in response to the broken tip)

that was quite an adventure. glad you got it out, though.

[77T]

Deleted - now saw you succeeded.

Now extra careful with the other screw you’ll need to remove/reinstall to finish the job.

[Dr.Brian]

We all have misadventures! I wouldn’t sweat it too much!
Hopefully you have a spare link in the box that you can use to replace it, retire that one, and move on.
The scratch on the adjacent link seems pretty trivial and you’d be far sadder having to order a new precious metal link or two!

[Overwound]

Originally Posted by Bulldozer

Alright, once I removed the broken off tip, I was able to use a hairdryer and a new screwdriver to get it out! What a mis-adventure this has been!

Great! I'm glad that's over for you.

It looks like a lot of remaining loctite in the link threads. When I apply 222 it's using a toothpick dipped once and then I put a small drop on the link's threads, not the screw. One small drop is enough to hold them in place.

[Bigblu10]

OP order yourself a proper hollow ground screwdriver made for bracelet pins.
Nobody should EVER use a chisel tip screwdriver to size a watch. It will simply chew up the slot in the pin. Unfortunate many have to learn the hard way.

[Bulldozer]

Originally Posted by -dustin

oh my.

(in response to the broken tip)

that was quite an adventure. glad you got it out, though.

Thank you.

Originally Posted by 77T

Deleted - now saw you succeeded.

Now extra careful with the other screw you’ll need to remove/reinstall to finish the job.

Curious what your original suggestion was. Perhaps leave it here for someone in the future to use?

Originally Posted by Dr.Brian

We all have misadventures! I wouldn’t sweat it too much!
Hopefully you have a spare link in the box that you can use to replace it, retire that one, and move on.
The scratch on the adjacent link seems pretty trivial and you’d be far sadder having to order a new precious metal link or two!

Thanks, yeah, I can't see that small scratch with naked eye.

Originally Posted by Overwound

Great! I'm glad that's over for you.

It looks like a lot of remaining loctite in the link threads. When I apply 222 it's using a toothpick dipped once and then I put a small drop on the link's threads, not the screw. One small drop is enough to hold them in place.

I know, this was totally my fault. Thankfully, heating it with hairdryer for a while helped.

Originally Posted by Bigblu10

OP order yourself a proper hollow ground screwdriver made for bracelet pins.
Nobody should EVER use a chisel tip screwdriver to size a watch. It will simply chew up the slot in the pin. Unfortunate many have to learn the hard way.

Yes, ordered the $60 one mentioned earlier in this thread. Hopefully that won't break!

[faimag]

Op, what can I say... you are quite the handyman!

[Tools]

Acetone is the clean-up juice for Loctite, which is what nail polish remover is if you don't have a can of it in your shop.


Brake cleaner is usually Tetrachloroethylene, which breaks down under UV to phosgene and hydrogen chloride.......... you shouldn't even have this inside your house!!!

[Mystro]

Originally Posted by Bulldozer

I used loctite 222 on my oyster bracelet link screws, and had forgotten about it. I tried to remove a link using a 1.6 mm tool, and completely messed up the screw head. The slot in the screw head is now mangled, and I'm not able to get a screw driver in there. :(

What can I do? Can I just hammer from the other side and get the screw out (by breaking it)?

Rolex dealer store locations are closed for the time being in my state, with no reopen date yet.

Send it to Rikki.

http://www.timecareinc.com/

[Bulldozer]

Originally Posted by Tools

Acetone is the clean-up juice for Loctite, which is what nail polish remover is if you don't have a can of it in your shop.


Brake cleaner is usually Tetrachloroethylene, which breaks down under UV to phosgene and hydrogen chloride.......... you shouldn't even have this inside your house!!!

Thanks, good to know! The only reason I mentioned brake cleaner is because of the video I linked where it seemed to dissolve red loctite (permanent).

[Nikrnic]

Finally!! Glad your persistence paid off and didn't get you in to more trouble. I've learned the hard way before to always use the right tool for the job... X10 on a watch.


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[Vinnee]

heat it up and try getting the next size up driver in there and turning the head too

[privv]

Phew,Good work.

[RichM]

When I saw your picture of the link/screw, I thought the RSC was your only hope. Glad it worked out for you.

By the way, just a pin head amount of that stuff is all you need. One tiny, tiny, tiny bit.

[offrdmania]

Originally Posted by Rich Mickol

When I saw your picture of the link/screw, I thought the RSC was your only hope. Glad it worked out for you.

By the way, just a pin head amount of that stuff is all you need. One tiny, tiny, tiny bit.

The only problem with your statement is I have seen link screws look like this after being sized at the RSC. Its a catch22

[BillA]

Originally Posted by T.Mas

From the pics, you should heat and unscrew the screws next to the damaged one, then replace with 2 new links, or try to remove the broken screw very, very far away from your nice watch and use the same links with a new screw.

Agree

[jlpierce70]

before I ordered the proper screw driver I used one a 1.6 that I already had and messed up one of my link screws. When I Google which size to order for my 116610LN I find a lot of different sizes that all say they are right for my watch.

What is the correct size?