[Gaz.]

So I've picked up a 6138-0020 to bring back to life, but I'm having a fight from the off! The spring bars holding the bracelet on are so gummed up that they just won't move with a spring bar tool (I've tried various sized ones). I've then had them sat submerged in penetrating fluid for the past 5 hours but still haven't managed to even begin moving them.
Does anybody have and tricks to help remove them?

 

[LongBike]

Spring Bar removal's

If they are old just get rid of them and cut them out if you have others.
I had that once and dumped for new ones. If you can get a side cutter
in there cut it out, probably old and rusty or just plain stuck.

 

[thickman808]

So I've picked up a 6138-0020 to bring back to life, but I'm having a fight from the off! The spring bars holding the bracelet on are so gummed up that they just won't move with a spring bar tool (I've tried various sized ones). I've then had them sat submerged in penetrating fluid for the past 5 hours but still haven't managed to even begin moving them.
Does anybody have and tricks to help remove them?

Oooohhh... You're collection's going up!

I've tried and failed many times with spring bar tools...often find that a nice little screw driver (you'll probably damage the driver so not your best one) is much more effective, and often, gently does it. But I'm sure you've tried that and everything else now!

If you managed to bag one with the original bracelet then very well done. If it does not save yourself some bother and cut those bars in two. (Edit. As Longbike said already!)

And let's see what you caught

 

[jringo8769]

well that is a great looking model...when can we see pics?...i would have to agree..cutting them out may be the best option..i love to save everything..but sometimes it is just not possible..what kind of penetrating oil do you have?...anything like a deep creep oil ? that works the best when i have something that nothing else will touch..John

 

[Gaz.]

I'm at work currently so I'll pop some pictures up tomorrow.

It's some stuff called Belesta PL, like plusgas. I've left it in there whilst I'm working tonight so by the time I'm up it will have had 22-24 hours.

I'm not fussed for saving the bars but I think the bracelet is original (albeit one end link is misshapen) so I don't want to destroy that.

I've tried a little screwdriver but maybe I need to fettle it up a touch, try and get it between the case & bar. Unfortunately I've nothing with the finesse at home or work to cut it out yet.

 

[LongBike]

At times I have used

I have used a little razor knife to just catch it and slowly try to move it out.
The razor knife works well and it gets real close to the case area and it
might move a nitch.
Has not let me down yet. Then I just junk the bar. A lot of times they are just to old and can be discarded.
By the way Tom you have great looking watchs too, I like them very clean.

 

[Gaz.]

Success!

Nothing would budge them, so I decided to stop messing about. I figured I couldn't make the watch much worse, so sharpened a small screwdriver up with a file to make it into a chisel. 2 swift raps with a hammer later & both bars have died a death!

 

[ClockBloke]

Cool I find a decent set of tweasers better than those crappy spring bar tools If you want it to fit together nice and tight use 2mm spring bars when you put it back together. Might get some off Stefan or if not I've got some good old ones that just need a clean I can bung in the post to you.

 

[Gaz.]

Tweezers would have just bent, the bars still are gummed up solid!

 

[ClockBloke]

Tweezers would have just bent, the bars still are gummed up solid!

Not some of my old swiss tweasers Those things could lift a car without bending! Anyway glad you got it apart

 

[jringo8769]

well looks great and great work...

 

[thickman808]

Ah man you got the right bracelet too....that's going to be lovely.

I think this was a recent lot, Sunday?, that me and another buddy messed up bidding on....each thinking the other was going to bid!

So glad you got it, a good Tokei is high up on the list for me (to keep not to sell!).

 

[LongBike]

Good job, successful

Success!

Nothing would budge them, so I decided to stop messing about. I figured I couldn't make the watch much worse, so sharpened a small screwdriver up with a file to make it into a chisel. 2 swift raps with a hammer later & both bars have died a death!

Yes but that watch looks like a Doozie . Its very nice and has a lot of potential from the looks of it.
Well one more into the collection and a worthy one also.
Aloha

 

[Gaz.]

Ah man you got the right bracelet too....that's going to be lovely.

I think this was a recent lot, Sunday?, that me and another buddy messed up bidding on....each thinking the other was going to bid!

So glad you got it, a good Tokei is high up on the list for me (to keep not to sell!).

Yeah it finished Sunday afternoon. The bracelet is in bad shape, you can just make out the end link is twisted in the photo.

The case is rough and the case back is so tight I've added to the existing gouges trying to open it, going to need a proper bench mounted opener to get inside!

 

[ring]

They're probably rusted

So I've picked up a 6138-0020 to bring back to life, but I'm having a fight from the off! The spring bars holding the bracelet on are so gummed up that they just won't move with a spring bar tool (I've tried various sized ones). I've then had them sat submerged in penetrating fluid for the past 5 hours but still haven't managed to even begin moving them.
Does anybody have and tricks to help remove them?

Ya gotta break them out carefully. A pic would help

 

[Gaz.]

You do realise I've got them out?!

 

[thickman808]

Ya gotta break them out carefully. A pic would help

:85:
Thanks for dropping by....welcome to the nut joint, you're going to fit in well