Basic course on using a watchmaker's lathe.

Trainer: Master Pedro Coelho

Capacity : 5

Location: IPR Workshop - Portuguese Institute of Watchmaking - R. Alfredo da Silva 13B, 1300-040 Lisbon

Duration: 12 hours

Calendar: coming soon

Theoretical:

Safety Guidelines for Using a Watchmaker's Lathe: Ensuring safety while using a watchmaker's lathe is fundamental due to the required precision and the small size of the parts handled. It is important to wear eye protection, keep the workspace tidy and clean, and have a thorough understanding of the equipment to avoid accidents.

Types of Lathes and Different Uses: There are several types of watchmaker's lathes, each adapted to specific functions. For example, bench lathes are suitable for general work, while column lathes are more suitable for delicate and high-precision tasks. The choice of lathe should align with the nature of the work to be performed.

Accessories: Lathe accessories, such as collets, dividing plates, and cutting devices, increase the lathe's versatility, allowing for a wide range of operations, from cutting to polishing and finishing parts.

Component Parts: A watchmaker's lathe consists of several parts, including the headstock, the cross slide, and the tailstock. Each component has an essential function in the operation of the lathe, from holding the workpiece to controlling the cutting movements.

Burins - Different Types and Sharpening Techniques: Burins are cutting tools used on lathes, available in various forms such as cutting burins, roughing burins, and finishing burins. A correct sharpening technique is crucial for maintaining cutting efficiency and work precision, involving the selection of the appropriate angle and the use of specific sharpening stones.

Turnable Materials: Materials frequently turned in watchmaking include metals such as brass and steel, as well as plastics and other polymers. Each material requires specific adjustments in terms of cutting speed and approach to ensure the accuracy and quality of the finished piece.

Practice:

The creation of a support point and a rooster holder is a task requiring precision. These devices were selected as central projects in this training program, representing a challenge that combines manual dexterity with technical rigor.

In the design of a support point , the importance of a construction that ensures stability and minimizes friction is highlighted. Students learn to operate adjustment mechanisms that allow for the precise manipulation of parts of different dimensions, essential knowledge for a watchmaker.

In turn, the support for the workpiece stands out due to the need for a solid base and a fastening system that guarantees the integrity of the workpiece, without compromising its accuracy during the turning process.

Both instruments are cornerstones in watchmaking technical training, providing apprentices with the opportunity to develop fundamental skills in the construction of components essential for the operation and maintenance of watchmaking mechanisms.

- Construction of a support point

Construction of a Rooster Stand