Is it possible?

[BSears]

To build an airtight, and inexpensive, box at home to create an Argon chamber? I might want to adjust the movement on my U2 (yeah, I know, I haven't posted any pics but I plan to so no flaming... ) so it is no longer losing time and don't want to send it back to Germany. Somebody posted up something in a thread and i tried to find it (save the Stuffler comments ) but I have no idea where that was mentioned.

Anybody here technologically minded enough to know how to do this? And where to find the parts, including argon cartridges?

[moishlashen]

What do you want Brad? Just want to flood the vessel with Ar or make like a glove box type of deal?

[BSears]

Just something that I can remove the caseback, do the minor regulation, replace caseback and remove from chamber. Any way that I can do it and keep the case filled with Ar once the caseback is on again.

[jimyritz]

How about a wrist shot before you crack it open?

[BSears]

Yeah, that would be a good idea, wouldn't it?! And thanks for reminding me about the warranty issue, Mike. I get an idea in my head and the blinders go on. Don't think I'll be cracking the U2 open anytime soon (but I still wouldn't mind a link or some specs on how to build an argon-sealed box ).

[moishlashen]

I have a glove box I made at work-well sort of made. It was allready a lab shelf/dry box designed to keep it flooded with Nitrogen while you have certain parts in it. I used it as a vessel then basically did this to it:

http://www.erowid.org/archive/rhodium/c ... vebox.html


I used more professional parts etc as it was on the company dime but I thought about doing it exactly like they did it.

As far as getting the Argon I typically use a full size bottle which I think is pricey. I used Nitrogen actually to do some experiments but I basically flooded it with Nit and controlled pressure by the needle relief valve and a regulator on the Nitrogen tank itself. Using a Hygrometer I managed to get most of the moisture/atmosphere out-like 99% or so. I wanted to keep moisture out and N2 in. I'm sure you could do the same with Argon. So that is a system designed to constantly flow Nitrogen vs a closed chamber.

You may also be able to just make a chamber, open and closeable with seals, fill it with Ar, work on watch, put caseback on etc than open it back up which is probably what you want to do anyway. I would think the same vessel could work both ways.

[dukerules]

Brad, if you pull this off, you are a god!
And Chris, cool to have someone with this degree of technical know-how right here on li'l old DWC.

[andrema]

Just me talking here...why not just open it without all of the fancy stuff, regulate and put the caseback back on?

If I am wrong, correct me. If you have a warranty issue, I doubt that they will be doing an argon check on the case. Even if they did, you could deny everything and say that it must be a bad seal or something....

Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain

[Noisy Nova]

Check your local welding equipment supplier.
There's such a thing as a clear plastic bubble affaire that is used to weld in an argon atmosphere.
There's holes to insert your hands.
I own my own cylinders of argon, but they can be rented.
You'll need a regulator and flow meter.
http://www.ckworldwide.com/purge_chamber.htm

[BSears]

Check your local welding equipment supplier.
There's such a thing as a clear plastic bubble affaire that is used to weld in an argon atmosphere.
There's holes to insert your hands.
I own my own cylinders of argon, but they can be rented.
You'll need a regulator and flow meter.
http://www.ckworldwide.com/purge_chamber.htm

oh hell yeah. Provided this isn't ridiculously priced, that might be just what I need. Plus it's collapsible, so I can store it out of the way when I'm done messing stuff up.

[BSears]

Just me talking here...why not just open it without all of the fancy stuff, regulate and put the caseback back on?

If I am wrong, correct me. If you have a warranty issue, I doubt that they will be doing an argon check on the case. Even if they did, you could deny everything and say that it must be a bad seal or something....

Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain

Warranty - yes, lots of time left on it, in fact. And yes, I did ponder just opening it up but once again, my OCD would kick in and I'd be missing what should be there - the Ar gas.

[Noisy Nova]

Specialty welding stuff is not cheap. Keep yer sphincter clenched.

[Noisy Nova]

oh hell yeah. Provided this isn't ridiculously priced, that might be just what I need. Plus it's collapsible, so I can store it out of the way when I'm done messing stuff up.

With all this, ya might as well take up TIG welding.

[DMB]

Hey Braniac ... I didn't look at the link that Dr Frankenstein posted, so I could be wrong. But, can you even hold a tiny ass screw driver and manipulate it, while wearing those bulky ass gloves that are connected to the box? Also, just how close to the movement do you reckon you are gonna get when it's inside a bubble? Just a thought.

How about you just seal off your closet with duct tape, pump in a tank of Ar while holding your breath, regulate the watch on a bench with your bare hands, then replace the caseback. You should be able to hold your breath for at least 2 minutes if you practice.

[Noisy Nova]

[DMB]

This has disaster written all over it.

[Noisy Nova]

Argon is heavier than air, so all you really need is a small open topped box.
Let the argon fill the box. It'll displace the air. Keep the argon flowing. It works for welding.
'Coarse, you'll still have to borrow an argon cylinder and regulator.

[DMB]

What about regulating the watch on a bench and getting it right ... THEN, sealing it up in a flooded Ar chamber. That way all you'd have to manipulate is the caseback wrench. Would that allow enough Ar to get in the case to "fill" it?

[SCM64]

This has disaster written all over it.

[Noisy Nova]

Yup.
After it's regulated, just truck on down to yer neighbor's, who does some TIG welding, and just purge the watch and slip on the cover.

[DMB]

Hey Brad, how about calling RGM? They may not regulate watches with Ar, but I bet they can tell you how Sinn does the Ar filling. And ... there may be a reason WHY they don't do it themselves and more importantly why YOUR dumb ass shouldn't try it yourself. :-)

[BSears]

TIG welding there's a thought.

Don't expect me to actually attempt this. Although the duct taped closet is intriguing.

I think I'll just wear it and forget about it. Nothing to see here folks, just move right along.

[matt.wu]

Brad, yer a nutcase.

[dshap]

Have you lost your mind?

Or are you trying to get help building a dirty bomb assembling thingy under the guise of wanting to open the U2 caseback?

[lilhoody]

I have a glove box I made at work-well sort of made. It was allready a lab shelf/dry box designed to keep it flooded with Nitrogen while you have certain parts in it. I used it as a vessel then basically did this to it:

http://www.erowid.org/archive/rhodium/c ... vebox.html


I used more professional parts etc as it was on the company dime but I thought about doing it exactly like they did it.

As far as getting the Argon I typically use a full size bottle which I think is pricey. I used Nitrogen actually to do some experiments but I basically flooded it with Nit and controlled pressure by the needle relief valve and a regulator on the Nitrogen tank itself. Using a Hygrometer I managed to get most of the moisture/atmosphere out-like 99% or so. I wanted to keep moisture out and N2 in. I'm sure you could do the same with Argon. So that is a system designed to constantly flow Nitrogen vs a closed chamber.

You may also be able to just make a chamber, open and closeable with seals, fill it with Ar, work on watch, put caseback on etc than open it back up which is probably what you want to do anyway. I would think the same vessel could work both ways.

WTF are you saying? Is that link in Norwegian?


BSears, common. Send it back!