Mechanical Watch: Exploded View
27 comments
·June 22, 2025Retr0id
> I don't have the tools or knowledge required to sand this down to a perfect mirror finish
I did a resin cast that had a similar "lip" at the edge (I turned a LGA CPU socket into a coaster), and I was able to sand it down fairly easily using regular sandpaper of progressively higher grit, producing a more or less perfect cuboid. The flatness was achieved by taping the sandpaper to a flat surface, and moving the part.
It's been a while, I can't remember if I used some kind of polishing compound at the end or whether the sandpaper alone was enough for a good finish.
petermcneeley
The suspension (supports) should not be visible if it has the same index of refraction.
fellerts
You're right. Nylon and epoxy resin have similar indices of refraction, but it's not perfect. I tried casting thin rods out of epoxy to replace the nylon but failed to achieve a good result.
amelius
Wouldn't it make more sense to add the parts and epoxy layer-by-layer? So you don't need the sticks to hold everything together.
(Of course that means creating a new vacuum for every layer, probably).
rusbus
perhaps you did not read the post—the author attempted layer-by-layer first but discovered it was impossible to get a smooth final result.
This is apparently a well known issue among people who create resin-cast structures.
nativeit
> I don't have the tools or knowledge required to sand this down to a perfect mirror finish, but that's okay.
That was my only note: it would look incredible if squared off and polished to perfection.
cybertim
l'm curious if Bartosz will actually contact him for that final casting, i know i would definitely love to own one. And mainly because I love mechanical watches, especially what's inside, but I don't like to wear or really use them, this is a great solution for this "problem".
jv22222
If I saw that in a shop I'd be super tempted to buy it.
Peterpanzeri
Hope i can implement ths soon
kiru_io
This is such a cool idea! You could potentially sell this or contact some watchmakers!
hinterlands
I've done some projects like that, although not with as many parts! I think the main disappointment that awaits the author is that within two years or so, the epoxy will turn yellow. These resins are unfortunately not UV-stable, even if kept in a reasonably well-lit area indoors (bookshelf, etc).
There are resins you can use for projects like that if you want them to last, but they're less fun to work with.
fellerts
Modern epoxies often claim to be UV stabilized, and as far as I can tell, this is a relatively recent advancement. For reference, I used Entropy CCR (slow cure) for the final model: https://entropyresins.com/product/ccr-clear-casting-epoxy/
I guess we'll wait and see!
hinterlands
We had UV-stabilized resins for the past two decades or so, but it just slows down the process. I used several UV-stabilized products and it just doesn't last.
For the UV-stable options, you have polyesters (which are very smelly) and premium aliphatic polyurethanes (which are finicky to work with).
hunter-gatherer
Would putting some UV filter glass, the kind often used in museums, work to protect it the resin? I'm wondering if you fixed a glass casing around it that way... granted you'd have corner seems for the glass though
cyberax
Maybe a cylindrical glass instead?
fellerts
I tried that. Refraction makes it hard to understand what you're even looking at. https://fellerts.no/img/epoch/first-cast.jpg
lukan
Yellow and not transparent anymore?
Or just a yellow tint?
KomoD
That is so cool, I really want one lol.
These look incredible. I'm guessing there are museums that would love display these.
Also https://ciechanow.ski/ is an absolute inspiration.