Sky-Smuggler's Pocket Watch (Now with pictures)

[lordmagfire]

Greetings all.

Allow me to introduce myself.
My name is Lord Samuel Douglas Magfire.

Started my first project, adapting a pocket watch to look more 'steamy'.
Not a very pretty one, more like a practical Sky-Captains Watch.

But some things have gone horribly wrong!

I thought i'd start where every sensible gentleman starts.....by drilling holes in it  

Drilled too far and drained the compass of the fluid it floats in (what is that?! kinda oily!)
So now the compass is just static.

So the I could drill the holes straight, I though I might put it into a vice.........the glass shattered!

So....here is where I ask for assistance:
The cracked glass looks pretty cool, but is sharp, so I was thinking of getting a clear screen protector, like for an iPhone, and cutting it to the required shape.
Would that be ok?

Also, the watch is now dull looking where the superglue got a bit messy.
What should I use to clean it off and get my watch shiny again?

I'll put pictures up soon, but in the meantime I hope you wonderful people can help me  

Cheers
Lord Magfire

For reference, the watch is kind of like one of these :http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TRUE-UTILITY-TU01-LED-Torch-Watch-Carabina-NEW-NURSES_W0QQitemZ260551226248QQcmdZViewItem?rvr_id=&rvr_id=&cguid=aa08e39e1270a0e205867436ffedd31e

[Steamworkshop]

I wouldn't trust a screen protector against broken glass. I'd cover it with a clear 2 part resin. That will set up hard and clear.

The super glue can be removed with some fine sandpaper and steel wool. Also, the white haze caused by super glue goes away with a coat of clear spray laquer. That is, if you can paint that part of the watch.

You're probably out of luck on the compass. The fluid is usualy some kind of mineral oil that has a lower freezing temp than water. Unless you're very skilled, the only way to fix the hole will be to glue a plug into it. Good luck getting glue to hold with oil on the surface.

My advice would be to get another watch and start fresh. You'd have the old watch for a refrence when taking the new one apart. Plus you'll have spare parts. Those watches aren't that expensive and you'd have a lot of work just fixing this one.

[lordmagfire]

My advice would be to get another watch and start fresh. You'd have the old watch for a refrence when taking the new one apart. Plus you'll have spare parts. Those watches aren't that expensive and you'd have a lot of work just fixing this one.

Well I have learnt a lot from this project.
Still looks kind of cool in my opinion, but then I guess that what this is all about, being proud of what you make.
I'll probably start with a new one, but i will put some pics up anyway.

[Steamworkshop]

Yeah, post some pics.
Also, there may be a way to simulate the look of the broken glass without actually having it broken.

[WillRockwell]

The mark of the true innovative craftsman is how to adapt when things go wrong, and still end up with a project you are proud of. A mistake can lead to the creation of unique details you never would have thought of. See the square panel with copper rivets in the corners on this drive I made this weekend? It's only there to cover a mistake.

[lordmagfire]

After 2 months of staring a Steampunk photos, and 2 weks of 'Ghosting' this forum, I present.....my first attempt!

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

The LED shines out of the nut at the bottom.

So, let me know what you think.

Sincerely
Samuel Magfire

[Steamworkshop]

Cool, it looks a lot better than I thought it would. I think you're on the right track. My advice would be to ditch the superglue for a 2 stage epoxy.

[lordmagfire]

I think I've learnt enough to do a better job next time, but I can't find another of those watches again 

So I might try repair this one a bit, and then try something new.

[Kevin C Cooper Esq]

The mark of the true innovative craftsman is how to adapt when things go wrong, and still end up with a project you are proud of. A mistake can lead to the creation of unique details you never would have thought of. See the square panel with copper rivets in the corners on this drive I made this weekend? It's only there to cover a mistake.

If you can't make it right make it bright! Something I heard more years ago than I care to remember. Will is quite right were always learning and mistakes teach us many lessons.

[WillRockwell]

A very unusual timepiece and a great first project. Permit me to offer just one philosophical design opinion. While brass nuts and bolts are perfect for decorative purposes, they do not seem appropriate for use as buttons or control surfaces. The appearance of nuts suggest they are holding something together, even if they are decorative, while the appearance of a button should invite you to press it.