I love tools! Growing up, I always thought tools were super cool. Once you get a bunch of tools, you start to realize that with tools, you can create other tools. It starts needing a tool to work and modifying an existing tool to do what you want. My first experience with this was adding a big pipe to a ratchet to improve torque. That works great, until it doesn't. I also learned about jigs that hold or guide the work piece or the tool. I also learned that sometimes a tool from a different industry can help. So when I use a tool, I often think, how can this be improved?
My first spring bar tool was a long finger nail. When that didn't work I switched to a kitchen knife. When that seemed too big, I switched to a hobby knife or a pocket knife. Those got me by for several decades.
When I got back into watches, I ordered a bunch of straps from Wrist Candy Watch Club and added a Spring Bar Tool to the order. No more using a paperclip, push pin, or knife to do strap changes for me. A real spring bar tool is worth it!
Then I ordered some straps from Vario and saw the Travel Spring Bar Tool with caps for the pointy ends. Had to have it! When it arrived I was so impressed with how tiny and sharp the forked side is. I loved the threaded inserts. I used and abused it, to the point of breaking a tip off. I went searching for replacement tips. I did not find any. Based on how inexpensive the tool is, a wise person would just order another tool. So that's what I did. I liked it so much, I ordered 3 more.
While shopping around for replacement tips, I came across the Bergeon 3153 with black tips. It looked like the tips would fit. So I ordered a 3153 and 3 sets of tips. That way if the tips didn't work, I had a handle. I also came across the Bergeon 6767 tips and ordered some of those too.
I got the package of Bergeon tools from Esslinger very quickly. I opened it excitedly and was immediately impressed by the quality. I also immediately realized the genius of hex handle tools so it doesn't roll on the table. The tips were larger than the Vario tips. To my joy, they threaded right in to the Vario tool. I grabbed a watch and was so happy with the combination. I felt more in control as I removed and installed spring bars. Happy with my new tool I went to put the cap on, only to find it doesn't fit. The tip is too long. Bummer. That won't stop me from figuring out a way. In looking at it and pondering the best solution. I considered cutting down the tip and adding more threads. I would have to do that for every tip. I then decided a more elegant solution would be to drill deeper into the handle. Tap in additional threads and then drill out the old threads to allow the tip to sink deeper into the handle.
I looked through all the spec sheets I could find and nothing told me the size or thread for the tips. I went to Home Depot, Lowe's and Ace Hardware trying to match up the threads. We Americans really struggle with the metric system. I'll save you the hassle and tell you the threads are M3 x 0.5mm which is such a simple way to do threads. M3 means you start with a 3mm rod. The 0.5mm is how much space the threads take up. So if you want to tap a hole for that size, the drill should be 3mm minus 0.5 mm equals 2.5mm. Guess who doesn't stock mm drill bits? Most American hardware stores. I ended up getting a numbered drill bit index and used a number 40 drill which is 2.48mm. I drilled deep enough that the entire tap I got could be used. It is not a bottoming tap so you need some extra depth. I then ran the tap into the hole. It hooked up with the original threads which kept it perfectly aligned. Two twists forward, one twist back until you get to the depth you want. I did manage to bugger up the knurling on one end of the tool with the pliers I was using while tapping the threads.
Then I used a 1/8" drill which is a little over 3mm to remove the original threads. I threaded in a Bergeon 3153 tip and it sunk perfectly into the handle. The extra depth gives additional support to the side of the tip and reduces any feeling of flex. The caps fit perfectly over the tool. The messed up knurling gives it a silver stripe so I can tell which one is custom. It is now my favorite spring bar tool. I am very happy with it.
There is a time and place for the others. The original Vario tips are small and get into tight space like metal bracelets. The large Wrist Candy Watch Club is nice for gently persuading soft leather straps. For vast majority of jobs the Bergeon 3153 tips are my favorite. Partly it is the size, partly it is the precision machining, but my favorite part is the black finish. When under bright light and next to shiny watches looking for tiny spring bar tips it makes it much easier to see what I am doing.
What is left to improve? I would say the use of a hex bar to avoid rolling, would be my next step. I really love the ability to cap the ends. Those tips are sharp. Maybe threaded tips on the end of the caps so you could stack caps? For now I am going to enjoy the custom tool I made as is, because it is better than anything else I have seen or used.
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