🧰 Watchmaking Tools

🔹 Context

These tools were born from my personal need to improve my watchmaking workspace while optimizing both cost and quality of accessories. I chose to design and manufacture the various supports and devices myself using 3D printing and my mechanical design experience.

🔸 Watchmaker Screwdriver Stand

After purchasing a set of 10 watchmaker screwdrivers, I was not satisfied with the available commercial stands, often expensive and impractical. I designed on Creo a rotating stand, 3D printed, using a 61813zz bearing from my stock. No drilling, screwing, or cutting: everything is assembled by press-fit. The bearing provides the necessary stability, with optional anti-slip pads underneath. The stand includes slots for the 10 screwdrivers, spare blades, tweezers, pliers, and long tools (hand removers). The sizes are engraved in relief and hand-painted with paint markers. Internal recesses were added to prevent cooling defects during 3D printing. The base is chamfered to minimize the "elephant foot" effect from the print bed.

🔸 Screwdriver Sharpener

Inspired by a very cheap sharpener I previously owned, I redesigned the concept to greatly improve its precision and mechanical stability. Designed in Creo and fully 3D printed, it uses two 608zz bearings, a spring, and two M2 screws. The bearings are press-fit into the housing, and the spring automatically clamps the screwdriver between the two jaws. The M2 screws are directly threaded into the printed plastic: the holes are slightly undersized to create a solid thread in the material. Additionally, the screw holes are shaped as teardrops to reduce overhang issues during 3D printing and improve structural integrity. For sharpening, I use sandpaper sheets glued to the back of a glass mirror, providing a perfectly flat surface (which also serves as my paint palette).

🔸 Watch Parts Trays

Based on a model found online, I redesigned stacking compartment trays that can lock together. A rail and locking tab system keeps trays stacked vertically. The trays snap together with a very satisfying "click" using the flexible properties of 3D-printed plastic. I also designed optional TPU (flexible plastic) inserts for the compartments to improve part adhesion.

💬 Personal Comment

This project allowed me to apply my skills in mechanical design, 3D printing, and functional optimization. Every part was specifically designed for daily watchmaking use, with simple, tool-free, reliable, and easily reproducible assemblies. I particularly enjoyed fine-tuning printing tolerances and integrating standard mechanical components into custom designs.

📌 What's next?

- Experimenting with other printing materials for contact surfaces
- Designing additional compartments for more watchmaking tools
- Producing multiple sets to organize different sections of my workbench

🧰 Skills Applied

Mechanical Design (Creo), 3D Printing, Dimensional Tuning, Integration of Standard Mechanical Components, Rapid Prototyping, 3D Printing Optimization

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