Wow, that was a fun and unexpected journey down technology street! This video is a great combination of different maker skills, and I admire your open-source way of thinking. I look forward to seeing updates on your cleaning machine, as well as the final design for the Walham watch dial. 😁👍🏼
Thanks Mike I'll get around to updating the software and hardware at some point, I'm sure. I don't need to tell you that everything takes 10 times as long if you film it, lol I'm sure you know.
Great work on the cleaning machine. OTA updates is a nice touch, and getting +1K RPM out of a smaller stepper with such a substantial load is no mean feat. I tend to overestimate my steppers/drivers and end up with something that just vibrates at any step rate higher than "glacial". Three cheers for doing the math!
Thank you. its really a combination of the high clock speed of the esp32 and the tmc2209 driver that allows the stepper to be speedy. Rather than my briliance lol I started with an Arduino-based board and a DRV8825 driver, and I could barely break 500 rpm. I actually got this stepper to 1450 RPM but it did not sound happy and reminded me of a visit to the dentist :D
Wow, a man of many talents. I'm very impressed with your ability to repair watches, make straps, refurbish the machine, understand electronics and do the coding. Bravo, Sir. Also, Safety Sallys, Egyptian Whisky lmao
I’ve been to Waltham, Mass. They laughed at my pronunciation. The locals seem to pronounce it more like Wal Thamm. I worked as an electronics tech for years. You did an outstanding job creating the controller and making the board. I remember making my first boards with layout tape and an X-acto knife. Later I photo etched. Arduinos have made circuits much easier. Congratulations on restoring and modernizing the cleaning machine.
Thank you, so many places now will make the board for you for very small amounts of money, which is great; however, I still like to make my own; it's fun. Unless you need 50 then it's no fun at all. I appreciate the kind words.
Thank you very much and I while having a decent background in both electronics and programming, humbled how simple you made this process of developing a complex machine into easy home made project. Happy to continue to be your YT channel sub, and maybe even buy one of your bespoke straps.
Very impressive work on your cleaning machine and the Waltham watch! That old machine seems solidly built as a base! I wish I had your electronic controller design years ago when I was searching for a cleaning machine. I am sure this will be useful for others to use as a build. The new machines are too expensive and the old used machines were hard to locate and still somewhat expensive and had to be completely re-wired. I wound up with a 3D printed machine design called the KiwiCleaner. I did have to buy a 3D printer but I have since used it to create many watch repair holders and tools.
Nice, I forgot to mention the KiwiCleaner in the video. I have no experience with it, but from what I could tell from a quick look, it seemed to be pretty solid as a project. 3D printers are great for watch repair I may do a video on some of the designs I've made and how to use CAD at some point. Thanks for the kind words, sir
@@Saving-Time I can only speak for myself but i love this exact thing, prototyping microcontrollers and especially cheap and open source, absolutely nailed it for me.
Thank you, sir. I'll no doubt build several controller boards over the next few months as I update the hardware to include heating and whatnot. If you want one, just shout, and I'd be happy to send one your way.
Great video. I wish I were as up with programming and electronics. I could manage a flashing led and a moisture detecting circuit when I was teaching but nothing else. Excellent work.
Bloody Hell ! Excellent video David, your a man of great skills and knowledge too, please show the finished watch and cleaning machine, I have a home built cleaning machine but someone from New Zealand did the clever stuff I just put it together! X X X
The KiwiCleaner, I assume. I should have given that a shoutout in the video. I've never built one, but it looks like a good project from what little I know. Glad you enjoyed the video
I’m interested why you don’t use Patreon or even super thank like most content creators - your channel is so well put together and I can’t believe the stuff you are doing - this episode was incredible!
Thankyou for your really amazing skills. I started watching this last night when you only just uploaded it, but had to go to bed, however, i puched it back up...finally, and i am really hapy i cane back to finish watching your fantastic video. I have an old Brenray which i refurbished, and tried to keep as original as possible, but i really love the way you wrapped it all up and moved all the wiring to the top. Id love to get another and "purchase" the electronics for it from you. Oh by the way, the Wal"t"ham came out smick, and i do like the "new" dial you gave it. Thanks again it was a great video.❤😂🎉. Mike.
Thank you, The electronics designs are up on Github for free. When I've finished designing a real PCB, I'll probably do an update at some point. Glad you liked it.
Very nice work indeed David. I had been playing with the idea of restoring an old L&R or similar for some months, but kept coming across auctions for something that looked as if it had been stored in a barn with no roof for 60 years, had missing parts, and sported asking prices in stupid money territory. I went with a setup using an ultrasonic with 2 beakers and a Vevor lab stirrer like Alex over at Watch Repair Tutorials. However although I had analogue speed control I wanted oscillation. Grafted in an aliexpress programmable motor controller board and power supplies into the Vevor box and moved the motor controller buttons and display to the outside of the box. So I do have full program control of forward/back/off sequencing, timing, and speed, but it totally pales in elegance to your solution. Look forward to checking out your hardware/software in more detail. For what it is worth I think you have the best all round watch tinkering content available. Apart from the movement work I really enjoy the historical overviews and the sojourns into ancillary activities like leather work, dial making, and this project are all very refreshing. One of my favourite watches is a green dialled Raketa UFO/washer, so I am pleased to see what looks like a Copernicus flash by on occasion in your videos.
I use KiCad is open source and free. The process I use to make the pcb is the toner transfer method. If you look it up on Google, there are some really great, in-depth instructions out there on how to do it.
I am very interested in making my old Elma Super Elite better by adding heating, reverse rotation and maybe even an ultrasonic transducer, that would be a nice project! I'm a software engineer by trade, so hopefully I'll be able to contribute something at some point, that said, my area of expertise is quite far from hardware design and embedded programming, and I won't have access to my workshop until February because reasons. in any case, you've gotten a new subscriber!
Thanks, it's not really my area either I just know the very basics. When you get round to doing yours feel free of course to use mine as a base. If you can add to it that would be great.
I had posted a comment a week or so ago asking about a Bill OF Materialls (BOM) for the parts you used. That post seemed to have gotten deleted. I've looked all over your github repository for the BOM but haven't been able to locate it. Is there one available? I also asked where your sourced the cleaning baskets and holder. I'd appreciate any answers you could give.
Two questions: 1) what are your thoughts on isopropanol (IPA) as a rinse? 2) for those of use new to the hobby and trying get by without a cleaning machine, how long are the cycles, and do you think you could make do with just using a cordless drill to spin the basket in the jars instead of a full machine? (And do you think that'd be better than ultrasonic?)
IPA is ok, don't put anything with shellac in it, so no Ballance wheel or pallet fork. The ultrasonic is also fine for cleaning it will do the job. Cycles I used in an ultrasonic are about 5 mins for cleaning and rinsing you might have to experiment a bit. Good luck
Wow, that was a fun and unexpected journey down technology street! This video is a great combination of different maker skills, and I admire your open-source way of thinking. I look forward to seeing updates on your cleaning machine, as well as the final design for the Walham watch dial. 😁👍🏼
Thanks Mike I'll get around to updating the software and hardware at some point, I'm sure. I don't need to tell you that everything takes 10 times as long if you film it, lol I'm sure you know.
@@Saving-Time Indeed! And I say the time you've spent on the filming was well worth it to your viewers. It looks fantastic! 😎
More on the Walham dial, please!
I plan to hand engrave this dial; the one in the video is just a rough draft, so it may take me a while, but I'll try. Hope you enjoyed the video
OMG, I am definitely impressed.
Thank you very much! Glad you liked it.
Great work on the cleaning machine. OTA updates is a nice touch, and getting +1K RPM out of a smaller stepper with such a substantial load is no mean feat. I tend to overestimate my steppers/drivers and end up with something that just vibrates at any step rate higher than "glacial". Three cheers for doing the math!
Thank you. its really a combination of the high clock speed of the esp32 and the tmc2209 driver that allows the stepper to be speedy. Rather than my briliance lol I started with an Arduino-based board and a DRV8825 driver, and I could barely break 500 rpm. I actually got this stepper to 1450 RPM but it did not sound happy and reminded me of a visit to the dentist :D
Brilliant, absolutely marvellous in all departments.
Thanks mate I appreciate that this one drove me up the wall lol
Wow, a man of many talents. I'm very impressed with your ability to repair watches, make straps, refurbish the machine, understand electronics and do the coding. Bravo, Sir. Also, Safety Sallys, Egyptian Whisky lmao
You are making me blush! Thank you kindly.
I’ve been to Waltham, Mass. They laughed at my pronunciation. The locals seem to pronounce it more like Wal Thamm. I worked as an electronics tech for years. You did an outstanding job creating the controller and making the board. I remember making my first boards with layout tape and an X-acto knife. Later I photo etched. Arduinos have made circuits much easier. Congratulations on restoring and modernizing the cleaning machine.
Thank you, so many places now will make the board for you for very small amounts of money, which is great; however, I still like to make my own; it's fun. Unless you need 50 then it's no fun at all. I appreciate the kind words.
Thank you very much and I while having a decent background in both electronics and programming, humbled how simple you made this process of developing a complex machine into easy home made project. Happy to continue to be your YT channel sub, and maybe even buy one of your bespoke straps.
Thank you. I appreciate the kind words. I look forward to making you a strap if you are ever in need of one.
Very impressive work on your cleaning machine and the Waltham watch! That old machine seems solidly built as a base! I wish I had your electronic controller design years ago when I was searching for a cleaning machine. I am sure this will be useful for others to use as a build. The new machines are too expensive and the old used machines were hard to locate and still somewhat expensive and had to be completely re-wired. I wound up with a 3D printed machine design called the KiwiCleaner. I did have to buy a 3D printer but I have since used it to create many watch repair holders and tools.
Nice, I forgot to mention the KiwiCleaner in the video. I have no experience with it, but from what I could tell from a quick look, it seemed to be pretty solid as a project. 3D printers are great for watch repair I may do a video on some of the designs I've made and how to use CAD at some point. Thanks for the kind words, sir
This exact waych had been sitting on my bench for a while waiting for repair.
It's a nice movement, very easy to work on. I liked it a lot.
Damn, loved the video, truly a man of many talents 👏👏👏👌
Thank you nice of you to say.
jesus christ!!! a full tech build was NOT what i was expecting! there are some serious non horology skills hiding behind this channel.
Awesome!
Thank you! I appreciate the kind words. Was not sure if people would like this sort of thing or not
@@Saving-Time I can only speak for myself but i love this exact thing, prototyping microcontrollers and especially cheap and open source, absolutely nailed it for me.
Really awesome work on the cleaning machine controller.
Thank you very much!
That cleaning machine build, wow! You are so talented! I have one of those vintage machines, but man I'd gladly have yours!
Thank you, sir. I'll no doubt build several controller boards over the next few months as I update the hardware to include heating and whatnot. If you want one, just shout, and I'd be happy to send one your way.
@Saving-Time thank you!
@@Saving-Time i'd love to have one too please?
Excellent episode👍🤓
Hi. I am amazed with the work you done with the cleaning machine. You have excellente skills.
Great video. I wish I were as up with programming and electronics. I could manage a flashing led and a moisture detecting circuit when I was teaching but nothing else. Excellent work.
I need one 😄
Bloody Hell ! Excellent video David, your a man of great skills and knowledge too, please show the finished watch and cleaning machine, I have a home built cleaning machine but someone from New Zealand did the clever stuff I just put it together! X X X
The KiwiCleaner, I assume. I should have given that a shoutout in the video. I've never built one, but it looks like a good project from what little I know. Glad you enjoyed the video
I’m interested why you don’t use Patreon or even super thank like most content creators - your channel is so well put together and I can’t believe the stuff you are doing - this episode was incredible!
Thank you so much. I'm glad you liked it.
I definitely want to see the “Walham” face creation! Great work and narration as always!
Thankyou for your really amazing skills. I started watching this last night when you only just uploaded it, but had to go to bed, however, i puched it back up...finally, and i am really hapy i cane back to finish watching your fantastic video. I have an old Brenray which i refurbished, and tried to keep as original as possible, but i really love the way you wrapped it all up and moved all the wiring to the top. Id love to get another and "purchase" the electronics for it from you. Oh by the way, the Wal"t"ham came out smick, and i do like the "new" dial you gave it.
Thanks again it was a great video.❤😂🎉.
Mike.
Thank you, The electronics designs are up on Github for free. When I've finished designing a real PCB, I'll probably do an update at some point. Glad you liked it.
Very nice work indeed David. I had been playing with the idea of restoring an old L&R or similar for some months, but kept coming across auctions for something that looked as if it had been stored in a barn with no roof for 60 years, had missing parts, and sported asking prices in stupid money territory. I went with a setup using an ultrasonic with 2 beakers and a Vevor lab stirrer like Alex over at Watch Repair Tutorials. However although I had analogue speed control I wanted oscillation. Grafted in an aliexpress programmable motor controller board and power supplies into the Vevor box and moved the motor controller buttons and display to the outside of the box. So I do have full program control of forward/back/off sequencing, timing, and speed, but it totally pales in elegance to your solution. Look forward to checking out your hardware/software in more detail. For what it is worth I think you have the best all round watch tinkering content available. Apart from the movement work I really enjoy the historical overviews and the sojourns into ancillary activities like leather work, dial making, and this project are all very refreshing. One of my favourite watches is a green dialled Raketa UFO/washer, so I am pleased to see what looks like a Copernicus flash by on occasion in your videos.
wow, I wish I had studied whatever it takes to learn how to do what you do! Great stuff!
kudos! I'm a subsbriber, btw
Thanks for the sub and the kind words!
please explain process for your pcb ptint for etching board, what program for creating board ?
I use KiCad is open source and free. The process I use to make the pcb is the toner transfer method. If you look it up on Google, there are some really great, in-depth instructions out there on how to do it.
I am very interested in making my old Elma Super Elite better by adding heating, reverse rotation and maybe even an ultrasonic transducer, that would be a nice project! I'm a software engineer by trade, so hopefully I'll be able to contribute something at some point, that said, my area of expertise is quite far from hardware design and embedded programming, and I won't have access to my workshop until February because reasons.
in any case, you've gotten a new subscriber!
Thanks, it's not really my area either I just know the very basics. When you get round to doing yours feel free of course to use mine as a base. If you can add to it that would be great.
I had posted a comment a week or so ago asking about a Bill OF Materialls (BOM) for the parts you used. That post seemed to have gotten deleted. I've looked all over your github repository for the BOM but haven't been able to locate it. Is there one available? I also asked where your sourced the cleaning baskets and holder. I'd appreciate any answers you could give.
Two questions: 1) what are your thoughts on isopropanol (IPA) as a rinse? 2) for those of use new to the hobby and trying get by without a cleaning machine, how long are the cycles, and do you think you could make do with just using a cordless drill to spin the basket in the jars instead of a full machine? (And do you think that'd be better than ultrasonic?)
IPA is ok, don't put anything with shellac in it, so no Ballance wheel or pallet fork. The ultrasonic is also fine for cleaning it will do the job. Cycles I used in an ultrasonic are about 5 mins for cleaning and rinsing you might have to experiment a bit. Good luck
I wish you kept the yellow colour! Cheery old soviet union colours 😅
I almost did keep it yellow; I'm sure it will get resprayed one day. I may just go back to it. I hope you liked the video
@Saving-Time it was great! Yet more motivation to try and take up watch tinkering as a hobby in the new year :)
These 1960s "Waltham's" still have beautiful, Modern design. Much better than the clunky Walham face.
It was a joke. The dial would need to be reprinted by a professional dial restorer as the hour markers were in the wrong place.
You using python ?
C++ for the code on the controller software, which can be found here github.com/DavidJ-Saving-Time/watch-cleaner
" "
Above was me being speechless! AMAZING!!!! THANK YOU!!!
Thank you very nice of you to say