tommylad 0 Posted November 21, 2011 Exactly as the title suggests guys. Received this from Robert today and I want to change the strap over. One of the screws has come out no problem but the others are really stiff and just will not turn. Does anyone know how I loosen them? Or would it be better to put tape over the caseback and use brute force. Thanks in advance, Tommy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tempus 0 Posted November 21, 2011 a good bathe in WD40 always loosens my nuts bolts and screws...... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tommylad 0 Posted November 21, 2011 a good bathe in WD40 always loosens my nuts bolts and screws...... Can I just spray it directly onto them? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
myaz 3 Posted November 21, 2011 To keep clean up to a minimum, I might use a toothpick or such other doodad to apply a small amount to the hole where the screw is Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tommylad 0 Posted November 21, 2011 To keep clean up to a minimum, I might use a toothpick or such other doodad to apply a small amount to the hole where the screw is So just to clarify, I could put some on a tooth pick or needle and try to dab some down the gap between the screw and the screw hole? Sorry, I'm useless at this sort of thing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Luthier 1 Posted November 21, 2011 Use pipette. And heat the lug with soldering iron. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tommylad 0 Posted November 21, 2011 Use pipette. And heat the lug with soldering iron. I'm sure that would work but, alas, no pipette or soldering iron. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
myaz 3 Posted November 21, 2011 yeah. I'd spray a little in a cup, transfer a droplet with a toothpick and give it time to "soak in". Penetrating oil works well too. The thing is, the oil needs to penetrate between surfaces to act. If the surfaces are perfectly mated together, the oil can't squeeze in between and too much force breaks the screw. Just be gentle. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Luthier 1 Posted November 21, 2011 Use pipette. And heat the lug with soldering iron. I'm sure that would work but, alas, no pipette or soldering iron. How can you live without soldering iron????????????????? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tommylad 0 Posted November 21, 2011 Until I got into watches there was no need for one... Maybe I should tool up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tommylad 0 Posted November 21, 2011 I can't even find the WD40 so I'll have to put it on hold until tomorrow. I hope it goes well. Every fix I've tried so far has been a bit of a disaster. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
COMPLICATIONS 0 Posted November 21, 2011 even with wd40 you'll still need to crack the initial stiction, the wd40 won't actually help untill the screw has moved ever so slightly. I would also advise making sure the screwdriver fits the screw head exactly, stone it down to fit if it's slack or you'll strip the head faster than you'l strip the threads. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tommylad 0 Posted November 22, 2011 The screwdriver does seem to fit. The WD40 didn't work at all - there was nowhere for it to go. Is there anything I can do involving heat? What could I use and exactly where could I apply it. This is really fucking annoying me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
anthonyd 0 Posted November 23, 2011 Tommy, another trick that I have used for really tight engine bolts should work here too. Place the screw driver into the screw head and then tap the screw driver down into the screw head with a hammer. On engines you give it a good hit but with watches I'd just tap lightly. This is normally enough to force the screws down a fraction and break that initial friction. Or course this assumes that the screws are just really tight, there is always a chance thay they were mounted cross threaded, in which case only bute force with your screwdriver will do and the threads are probably stripped already. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tommylad 0 Posted November 23, 2011 I took it to a watchsmith and he fixed the strap no problem. My screwdriver was probably too small. He also fixed it free of charge - as he has done with minor fixes before. He just asks you to put some change in a charity box. Now the 373 is on a brown Bob buffalo strap and it looks amazing. Only downside is the coloured AR. I'll post a couple of photos in Robert's feedback section when I get back from work. Thanks for all the advice guys. Shame I was too useless to put it into practice. Tommy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Scavolas 0 Posted December 12, 2011 Well, I guess would have been smarter to do a deep search on this forum before I bought this PAM373 from Tommylad. It looks like that watchsmith actually fucked up the lug screw himself and glued the screw in the hole afterwards. I wonder if Tommylad was aware of this unprofessional type of service he had been given? If he was indeed, why he hid this very fact from me before the sale? Kind of unpleasant situation we got here.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
g.man 0 Posted December 12, 2011 Have you actually spoken to him about it? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gazillionaire 0 Posted December 12, 2011 Well, I guess would have been smarter to do a deep search on this forum before I bought this PAM373 from Tommylad. It looks like that watchsmith actually fucked up the lug screw himself and glued the screw in the hole afterwards. I wonder if Tommylad was aware of this unprofessional type of service he had been given? If he was indeed, why he hid this very fact from me before the sale? Kind of unpleasant situation we got here.... Yeah Pm him mate. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Scavolas 0 Posted December 12, 2011 Did it, no reply as of yet. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
