Modding can be a lot of fun, but there are some things that you need to know about it first. Just like any other hobby, modding requires some skills and equipment.
You can refer to Seiko Samurai mod for references if you don’t know about modding your watches. The following tips will also help you make sure that your project goes smoothly from start to finish:
Cleanliness Is Of Utmost Importance
The most important thing to remember is that you cannot use dirty hands, clothes, or shoes while working on your watch. This means no eating while working and no smoking while working. You should also avoid any liquid beverages such as water or soda while handling your watch.
Use Dental Picks For Ease Of Work
Dental picks, also known as “dental spoons,” are small tools dentists use to reach deep into your mouth and cleanse the dirt between your teeth.
When modding watches, dental spoons can come in handy for getting into places that aren’t easily accessible with other tools. They’re also great for removing dust or debris from delicate parts of the watch that could be damaged if handled with too much force (such as removing grime around the edges of buttons).
Picking The Right Tools For Your Job
When picking tools, it’s important to pick the right ones for the job. It’s also important to pick the right material for your project. Picking random materials will not work well in most cases.
You should pick the right task for each tool so they can be used properly without any problems or issues.
Choose an environment with no distractions, such as loud noises around you while using tools, because this could distract from what needs to be done.
Use a non-abrasive scrubbing pad, like a microfiber cloth or soft cotton rag to remove any accumulated dirt and grime on your watch’s case and band.
Avoid using sponges or anything else that might scratch your watch’s case; instead, use something like an old T-shirt with holes in it so that it won’t be abrasive on the material of your watch.
Be Careful With Force Applied When Prying Parts Off And On
When prying parts off and on, avoid applying too much force. Use a jeweler’s screwdriver instead of a regular flathead or Phillips-head screwdriver—it won’t slip as easily.
If you need to remove the back of your watch, use a soft cloth to protect it from scratches as you do so. You may also want to use a soft brush for cleaning purposes and to protect your watch from damage when removing parts (your fingers may not always be clean enough).
After removing the back casing, you can use a small hammer and gently tap at the pins holding them in place until they come out completely. This can take some time but is necessary if you plan on adding new custom parts or replacing old ones with higher-quality ones. Don’t worry; this only requires light taps with something like an ice pick!
A Little Bit Of Force Goes A Long Way
Prying off parts with a screwdriver or other tool is best done with a small force. If you’re prying on a part, use the same light force as you would when tapping on a table to drop something stuck. The idea is not to break anything—strain your wrist and risk dropping your watch into pieces instead!
If you want to remove the back of your watch case, take note: Opening it up will expose its inner workings; if there are any springs inside (as there are in many watches), they could pop out at any time once exposed. So be careful not to lose these little parts; they can be hard to find again if they go flying away!
Bright Lights Will Benefit You
Bright lights are essential when modding your watches, especially when working on smaller details. You may get away with using natural light in some cases, but many times you’ll need to use a bright light source. For example, you can use a headlamp or desk lamp with an adjustment dial to control the light’s brightness. Although this will cast shadows over your work area, it should be sufficient for seeing small details like screws and hands-on watches.
If using a flashlight isn’t enough for what you’re trying to accomplish (or if there’s no way for it to shine directly onto your watch face), then consider investing in some kind of magnifying glass or lens system for your watch repair kit so that even finer details become visible when viewed up close.
Additionally, when you’re giving your watch a thorough cleaning, it’s important to have good lighting. You want to see all of the nooks and crannies on your watch as well as possible so that you don’t miss any spots or make unnecessary scratches.
Conclusion
Now you know the basics of modding your watch and are ready to get your hands dirty. Remember these tips, use them well, and enjoy the fruits of your labor! You now know better what it takes to mod a watch from scratch. Hopefully, this will help you avoid common mistakes when starting your first project.