Straightening brass tweezers

I have had a pair of Bergeon brass tweezers for about 3 years now which I use a lot.

Iv'e noticed that the tips no longer meet - they are very slightly splayed out for the first millimeter.

Has anybody any tips on straightening these? I didn't want to just dive in with a pair of long nosed as they are not cheap to replace.

Many thanks

Steve

Steve,

I would gently clamp them onto a suitably sized rod and then 'burnish' them back to shape.

... Hope that makes sense.

MichaelG.

Exactly what Michael said!......he literally took the words out of my post!

Burnish back into shape and then put them on ebay and buy a decent pair...... At Epping Forest Horology Club we have many Bergeon items and in every case without exception they are massively overpriced and can be surpassed by a MUCH cheaper alternative...watch screwdrivers (£168 a set!) no better than a cheap set costing a fiver.........clock spring winder which flimsy and poorly designed for the huge price.........Watch clamp that is no better than our market stall alternative!!......

Michael

How does burnishing change the shape of a part?

I can see that on a microscopic surface level it might change the size of a part but curious how it could reverse the splayed tips.

Ian P

.

Ian,

I closed with the comment: "... I hope that makes sense."

Clearly it did to Bob, but not to you.

When I used the term 'burnishing' [in quotes], I meant the process of using a burnisher to gently work the tips back to a good shape ... The 'suitably sized rod' provides supprt and acts as a former.

It's rather like the 'rubbing' process that jewellers use to set cabochon stones, or lens-makers use to mount elements ... but linear.

Does it make sense now ?

MichaelG.

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 11/12/2017 21:49:50

Edited to correct spelling of cabochon

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 11/12/2017 21:59:02

It sort of makes sense if I imagine that the burnisher pressure gradually bends the tip in a series of small amounts rather than bending it in one go.

Maybe its a sort of Uri Geller effect!

Ian P

With stainless steel ones, I gently draw the outside on a flat surface, point last, and they gradually straighten.

Thanks to all for the advice.

Michael, I'll try the trick with the burnisher.

Bob, I hear what you are saying about Bergeon products. The problem is, when it comes to brass tweezers there doesn't seem to be anything in between cheapos (which are rubbish) (2 - £3) and Bergeon (£30) and Dumont (£40). You mention screwdrivers. I need a couple of larger ones (2.5 and 3.0 mm) - I don't need a set. What would you recommend?

Many thanks

Steve

Bergeon do a set of 5 for a lot less than mentioned. £35, still not cheap but not rubbish.

.

A useful 'guide' is available here: **LINK**

https://www.eternaltools.com/blog/complete-guide-to-watchmakers-screwdrivers

Worth a read, I think.

MichaelG.

Don't laugh, but if you aren'tbrying to find brass screwdrivers this is the best set of small screwdrivers I have ever used, even if the handle is a bit plasticky the blade quality is excellent:

Neil

Neil

What is the A/F size of the bits?

I'm hoping its 4mm the same as the Wiha ones.

Ian P

.

I bought a set of those a few years ago, Neil

I too was very impressed; until I found that one of the Torx tips was horribly mal-formed.

... The usual 'customer does the quality control' situation, I'm afraid.

Wickes happily gave a full refund, so I can't complain ... but I have never since found anything to compete.

[maybe I should have kept them]

MichaelG.

You're in luck Ian they are 4mm A/F . I've got a set,different/ better handle than Neil's link, can't remember if it was Wickes or somewhere else I got them a couple of years ago.

Yep, 4mm a/f.

Thanks Mick/Neil, a set is in stock at my nearest Wickes and it just so happens that my good lady is presently in the adjacent emporium so is collecting for me.

I already have about 20 Wiha bits and several handles for their 'System 4' range but individual bits are both expensive and not easily available so these Wickes ones are too good to miss.

Ian P