[MarkDubya83]

Hi all - new to the boards and very quickly getting into the world of collectable watches...

I bought a 7A28-7000 'Black Ripley' as an engagement gift for my (now) fiancee. She's over the moon with it and wears it every day, which I think is cool for something that she'll have forever a really values. However, the inevitable has happened and one of the yellow pushers has come loose due to a hairline crack. I need to source 2 replacements - I know the parts can be found out there but are rare for obvious reasons. There's also a user (Clockworks) who did a project like this a few years ago and fabricated the parts himself, but I can't seem to get in touch with him.

So - can anyone help me to source these replacements? Better yet, to fit them as well? I have the fine dexterity of a fairground grabber, so would rather avoid doing it myself.

Thanks!

 

[LongBike]

Welcome on board

Enjoy your stay. :7505:

 

[MarkDubya83]

Thank you! This website has officially become a major distraction as I work from home and have no-one watching my screen...

 

[SurfingSeiko]

Welcome to the SCWF and enjoy. All the best with your hunt.

Mark

 

[cactus]

Hi there and welcome from another (fairly) newbie. Good luck with your search.

 

[Eli Forseiko]

Mark --
Check out <cousinsuk.com> for the parts needed.

Check out <The Tiger UK>for suggestions on the work...

Good Luck-
Eli....

 

[MarkDubya83]

Thanks... but the search goes on

Thanks for the suggestion Eli - Cousins list the part but simply call it 'Obsolete' so you can't buy it. Darn these vintage Guigaro designs. I'm wondering if it's worth finding someone who can fabricate the parts...

 

[Sir Alan]

I think that making these would be very easy with access to a milling machine and tower drill (and some skill using these tools).

A hard plastic (such as delrin) is the best material to use, but Aluminium would work (and can be anodised).

Its just a matter of getting the dimensions (using an original pusher) and importantly the location, width and depth of the hole for the pusher head.

I did look into this about a year or so ago, buying some delrin rod and dye (to colour it). Luckily shortly after the materials arrived I managed to buy some original pushers, so the need to fabricate some went away.

 

[MarkDubya83]

Yes Sir Alan (sorry, couldn't resist saying it) - I think for someone with experience in fabrication it would probably be reasonably straightforward, the main challenge being the fine tolerances. Once new pushers were made it should then be fairly simple to attach them to the metal heads, either by friction or (in my head) glue/heat.

The reason I can't do this myself is that I'm blessed/cursed with the fine dexterity of a blind elephant and would inevitably make a mess of it.

I don't suppose you're still in touch with the contact you got your replacements from? Or do you fancy resurrecting your project? Time and expenses covered, obviously...

 

[Sir Alan]

I recently asked, and unfortunately the answer was "no" - non available.

I know someone who has their own lathe and I suspect milling machine. I might ask him if he would be prepared to work on this.

The problem is not being able to generate accurate "engineering" drawings to work to. I tend to be a bit of a trial and error type person in this area!!

 

[MarkDubya83]

Well if someone felt they were up to the job I can always send a broken pusher over for inspection. It's still in one piece, put cracked through so it's lost the friction grip on the metal. It's all I can do to avoid gluing it, but other forum posts suggest this is a VERY bad idea!

 

[Sir Alan]

OK, you've catalysed me into making contact with the person I know.

Once he responds I'll let you know.

 

[MarkDubya83]

Awesome. This is the first lead I have so thank you

 

[way2fast]

Try contacting eBay seller 49ronnie (candowatches.net). I think he is the same guy (Ray Canda) we use to buy Alien parts years ago.

 

[Ostendorf]

sorry, I bought the last original Alien pushers years ago and they were yellow, no chance to get black ones.

As far as I remember they were from Ray Canda....

 

[TheTigerUK]

Out of interest what does a pusher look like ?

 

[Sir Alan]

A pusher looks like the two yellow plastic blocks in the picture above your post.

They are a hard (brittle) plastic, approx. 6mm x4mm x 5mm with a hole on the underside into which is fitted a shaft. This shaft goes into a hole in the pusher block, with a spring and a c-clip to hold it in place.

They are very prone to cracking, I think because they are moulded onto the shaft and the plastic is under tension.

Very easy to make with the right tools and some material (delrin) - ideally they should be yellow or black.

 

[TheTigerUK]

Thanks, interesting.

 

[MarkDubya83]

It's definitely an interesting conversation - thanks everyone for your inputs. Not sure how you're getting on SirAlan but just wanted to let you know I've been put in touch with a guy who has a CAD system and 3D printer - he's mocked it up and we may be onto something but I'm seeing him on Sunday to try out a prototype. It'll be interesting to see if: a) we can get the printer to produce a fine enough fit to friction grip the metal rods and b) a suitable yellow finish that's durable enough to last.

Watch this space I guess (no pun intended)... if your guy gets back in the meantime and it looks like the part could be made the traditional way, please still let me know

 

[Sir Alan]

Yes - I did think about the 3D printer approach (having recently watched some videos on another forum of a clock being made with one).

My current opinion is that it will be preferable to glue (araldite?) the plastic pusher onto the head of the stem/shaft. I think a push fit will always tend to fall off. If its too tight, there is the risk of splitting / cracking the pusher.

I've made contact with the person I know and he's expressed an interest to "have a go".

I need to take some photos, take some measurements and do a basic drawing and get them and the delrin rod over to him.

Possibly this w/e depending on how this week pans out.

I also need to practice dying the rod with the yellow dye I bought. Apparently it works, but I need to prove it to myself ....