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Reshaping Hollow End Links?

Posted: Sat Oct 05, 2019 2:46 pm
by recapt
Can anyone give me some guidance (or point me toward a resource) for reshaping or filing-down hollow end links?

I bought a 19mm aftermarket bracelet in hopes that it would fit a somewhat rare vintage Seiko I recently picked up. The bracelet looks great but the end links are too long and don't match up with the spring bar holes, so I can't attach it to the watch head. I'm thinking of using a Dremel to file off some of the excess stainless steel, but would rather get some guidance on this before jumping on in.

All help is appreciated!

For context, here is a pic: The one on the left is the right size (original to the watch). The one on the right came with my new bracelet.
IMG_0317.jpg

Re: Reshaping Hollow End Links?

Posted: Sun Oct 06, 2019 9:41 pm
by MAAHHH THE FRENCH!
I'd think you'd be less likely to botch it by finding a grinding wheel of the same radius as the original endlink. The other fun part will be keeping a firm grip on the endlink so it doesn't wobble or shoot across the room while grinding, without smooshing it in the process.

Re: Reshaping Hollow End Links?

Posted: Mon Oct 07, 2019 7:53 am
by recapt
MAAHHH THE FRENCH! wrote:I'd think you'd be less likely to botch it by finding a grinding wheel of the same radius as the original endlink. The other fun part will be keeping a firm grip on the endlink so it doesn't wobble or shoot across the room while grinding, without smooshing it in the process.
Thanks for the reply. Here’s what I decided to try... I wrapped a strip of sandpaper around a hard plastic shampoo cap that matched the watch case diameter. I’m holding the end links with gloved hands and being pretty methodical. It’s slow going but I think it just might work. I was only able to spend about 15 minutes on this last night so will have to keep plugging along this week. As you predicted, finding a better way to hold the end links would go a long way, so I might try and rig something up.

Re: Reshaping Hollow End Links?

Posted: Mon Oct 07, 2019 11:04 pm
by MAAHHH THE FRENCH!
I was originally gonna say griplocks or bench vise padded with leather or plastic to avoid scratching, I was just concerned a tight enough grip would crush it.

Re: Reshaping Hollow End Links?

Posted: Fri Oct 11, 2019 12:40 am
by Dub Rubb
recapt wrote:
MAAHHH THE FRENCH! wrote:I'd think you'd be less likely to botch it by finding a grinding wheel of the same radius as the original endlink. The other fun part will be keeping a firm grip on the endlink so it doesn't wobble or shoot across the room while grinding, without smooshing it in the process.
Thanks for the reply. Here’s what I decided to try... I wrapped a strip of sandpaper around a hard plastic shampoo cap that matched the watch case diameter. I’m holding the end links with gloved hands and being pretty methodical. It’s slow going but I think it just might work. I was only able to spend about 15 minutes on this last night so will have to keep plugging along this week. As you predicted, finding a better way to hold the end links would go a long way, so I might try and rig something up.
I love the ingenuity using the shampoo cap!! This is probably your best bet. Just take it slow and steady and keep test fitting as you go. A dremel can remove a lot of material quickly, so probably not the best bet for something like this.

Very interested to see how this goes, since I have about 5 sets of endlinks that could benefit from this.

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Re: Reshaping Hollow End Links?

Posted: Wed Oct 16, 2019 10:37 pm
by recapt
Update! I wound up taking a different approach that worked pretty well. I went to Home Depot and bought an 18” length of a 1.5” round wooden rod (dow?) and the just wrapped a half sheet of 60 grit around it. I held that in place with my left hand and then used my (gloved) right hand to work the end link up and down until I shaved off enough to fit the watch head. Here’s a pic of my rig and the end result!

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