Straightening brass tweezers

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Straightening brass tweezers

This topic has 16 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 13 December 2017 at 10:48 by Ian P.

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11 December 2017 at 18:14 #331607
Steve Crow
Participant
@stevecrow46066
I have had a pair of Bergeon brass tweezers for about 3 years now which I use a lot.

Iv'e noticed that the tips no longer meet – they are very slightly splayed out for the first millimeter.

Has anybody any tips on straightening these? I didn't want to just dive in with a pair of long nosed as they are not cheap to replace.

Many thanks

Steve
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11 December 2017 at 18:14 #3778
Steve Crow
Participant
@stevecrow46066
11 December 2017 at 18:36 #331610
Michael Gilligan
Participant
@michaelgilligan61133
Steve,

I would gently clamp them onto a suitably sized rod and then 'burnish' them back to shape.

… Hope that makes sense.

MichaelG.
11 December 2017 at 18:47 #331611
Bob Stevenson
Participant
@bobstevenson13909
Exactly what Michael said!……he literally took the words out of my post!

Burnish back into shape and then put them on ebay and buy a decent pair…… At Epping Forest Horology Club we have many Bergeon items and in every case without exception they are massively overpriced and can be surpassed by a MUCH cheaper alternative…watch screwdrivers (£168 a set!) no better than a cheap set costing a fiver………clock spring winder which flimsy and poorly designed for the huge price………Watch clamp that is no better than our market stall alternative!!……
11 December 2017 at 21:37 #331644
Ian P
Participant
@ianp
Michael

How does burnishing change the shape of a part?

I can see that on a microscopic surface level it might change the size of a part but curious how it could reverse the splayed tips.

Ian P
11 December 2017 at 21:45 #331646
Michael Gilligan
Participant
@michaelgilligan61133
Posted by Ian P on 11/12/2017 21:37:35:

Michael

How does burnishing change the shape of a part?

I can see that on a microscopic surface level it might change the size of a part but curious how it could reverse the splayed tips.

Ian P

.

Ian,

I closed with the comment: "… I hope that makes sense."

Clearly it did to Bob, but not to you.

When I used the term 'burnishing' [in quotes], I meant the process of using a burnisher to gently work the tips back to a good shape … The 'suitably sized rod' provides supprt and acts as a former.

It's rather like the 'rubbing' process that jewellers use to set cabochon stones, or lens-makers use to mount elements … but linear.

Does it make sense now ?

MichaelG.

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 11/12/2017 21:49:50

Edited to correct spelling of cabochon

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 11/12/2017 21:59:02
11 December 2017 at 21:54 #331647
Ian P
Participant
@ianp
It sort of makes sense if I imagine that the burnisher pressure gradually bends the tip in a series of small amounts rather than bending it in one go.

Maybe its a sort of Uri Geller effect!

Ian P
11 December 2017 at 23:08 #331654
Neil Wyatt
Moderator
@neilwyatt
With stainless steel ones, I gently draw the outside on a flat surface, point last, and they gradually straighten.
12 December 2017 at 18:02 #331770
Steve Crow
Participant
@stevecrow46066
Thanks to all for the advice.

Michael, I'll try the trick with the burnisher.

Bob, I hear what you are saying about Bergeon products. The problem is, when it comes to brass tweezers there doesn't seem to be anything in between cheapos (which are rubbish) (2 – £3) and Bergeon (£30) and Dumont (£40). You mention screwdrivers. I need a couple of larger ones (2.5 and 3.0 mm) – I don't need a set. What would you recommend?

Many thanks

Steve
12 December 2017 at 19:27 #331785
KWIL
Participant
@kwil
Bergeon do a set of 5 for a lot less than mentioned. £35, still not cheap but not rubbish.
12 December 2017 at 20:11 #331790
Michael Gilligan
Participant
@michaelgilligan61133
Posted by KWIL on 12/12/2017 19:27:17:

Bergeon do a set of 5 for a lot less than mentioned. £35, still not cheap but not rubbish.

.

A useful 'guide' is available here: **LINK**

https://www.eternaltools.com/blog/complete-guide-to-watchmakers-screwdrivers

Worth a read, I think.

MichaelG.
12 December 2017 at 20:15 #331791
Neil Wyatt
Moderator
@neilwyatt
Posted by Steve Crow on 12/12/2017 18:02:42:

Thanks to all for the advice.

Michael, I'll try the trick with the burnisher.

Bob, I hear what you are saying about Bergeon products. The problem is, when it comes to brass tweezers there doesn't seem to be anything in between cheapos (which are rubbish) (2 – £3) and Bergeon (£30) and Dumont (£40). You mention screwdrivers. I need a couple of larger ones (2.5 and 3.0 mm) – I don't need a set. What would you recommend?

Many thanks

Steve

Don't laugh, but if you aren'tbrying to find brass screwdrivers this is the best set of small screwdrivers I have ever used, even if the handle is a bit plasticky the blade quality is excellent:

Neil
12 December 2017 at 20:25 #331792
Ian P
Participant
@ianp
Posted by Neil Wyatt on 12/12/2017 20:15:06:

Don't laugh, but if you aren'tbrying to find brass screwdrivers this is the best set of small screwdrivers I have ever used, even if the handle is a bit plasticky the blade quality is excellent:

Neil

Neil

What is the A/F size of the bits?

I'm hoping its 4mm the same as the Wiha ones.

Ian P
12 December 2017 at 20:30 #331794
Michael Gilligan
Participant
@michaelgilligan61133
Posted by Neil Wyatt on 12/12/2017 20:15:06:

Don't laugh, but if you aren'tbrying to find brass screwdrivers this is the best set of small screwdrivers I have ever used, even if the handle is a bit plasticky the blade quality is excellent:

.

I bought a set of those a few years ago, Neil

I too was very impressed; until I found that one of the Torx tips was horribly mal-formed.

… The usual 'customer does the quality control' situation, I'm afraid.

Wickes happily gave a full refund, so I can't complain … but I have never since found anything to compete.

[maybe I should have kept them]

MichaelG.
12 December 2017 at 22:44 #331810
Anonymous
Posted by Ian P on 12/12/2017 20:25:15:

Posted by Neil Wyatt on 12/12/2017 20:15:06:

Don't laugh, but if you aren'tbrying to find brass screwdrivers this is the best set of small screwdrivers I have ever used, even if the handle is a bit plasticky the blade quality is excellent:

Neil

Neil

What is the A/F size of the bits?

I'm hoping its 4mm the same as the Wiha ones.

Ian P

You're in luck Ian they are 4mm A/F . I've got a set,different/ better handle than Neil's link, can't remember if it was Wickes or somewhere else I got them a couple of years ago.
12 December 2017 at 22:59 #331812
Neil Wyatt
Moderator
@neilwyatt
Yep, 4mm a/f.
13 December 2017 at 10:48 #331856
Ian P
Participant
@ianp
Thanks Mick/Neil, a set is in stock at my nearest Wickes and it just so happens that my good lady is presently in the adjacent emporium so is collecting for me.

I already have about 20 Wiha bits and several handles for their 'System 4' range but individual bits are both expensive and not easily available so these Wickes ones are too good to miss.

Ian P
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