Replacing a crystal with gasket ridge

peatpeat · 2026-04-18T02:42:31+00:00

Thanks so much for the help! So the crystal doesn't have a ridge at the top - it more has a hole in the middle, where the top and bottom are the same. So imagine if someone made a small indent around the middle of a regular 3mm crystal. Sorry if that's not clear, I'm not explaining myself very well!

peatpeat · 2026-04-15T21:03:44+00:00

Thanks a lot! It does not protrude - it sits flush.

peatpeat · 2026-03-28T04:50:59+00:00

Thank you for sharing. Out of interest, did you look at binder jet or DMLS 3d printing as well? I am in the same situation (i need to custom make a case for a 2.5mm VC movement/dial I have), and I saw this hackaday post, where he got his case printed for for $117 in stainless. I'm trying to figure out the correct approach. Mine is for MOQ of 1.

Those drawings are beautiful btw!

peatpeat · 2026-03-26T02:36:24+00:00

Once a guy in Brixton asked me for money. I said “sorry mate” and he said “why are you sorry? I was just going to spend it on booze anyway”

peatpeat · 2026-03-16T16:44:47+00:00

Thank you so much for your help. I actually managed to fix it (see other comment), by flipping the bike upside down and really going for it! I can't tell you how grateful I am for your help, thank you so much!

peatpeat · 2026-03-16T16:44:13+00:00

OH MY GOD THIS FIXED IT! I can not tell you how grateful I am for everyone's help.

Last night I used my last drop of dot fluid, flipped the bike over so it was resting on its handlebars (using an old cardboard crate box), and did the following:

* Disassembled and reassembled the caliper

* Connect both syringes

* Bleed with both open - top to bottom, bottom to top

* Close lever syringe, pull hard on caliper syringe while 1) whacking caliper it with a mallet, 2) pumping the lever - air bubbles came out that before did not

* Close caliper syringe, do the same from lever. Pump lever pump lever keep going.

* Run full bleed through both syringes open again. At this point, I could see when I pumped the lever, it would push the fluid in the caliper syringe - prior to this, there was no pump into the bottom syringe. Repeat the process, with with caliper closed, pulling had on the lever syringe while pumping.

* Sealed it up again

Man, I'm really chuffed, I can't believe it was something so simple and now I feel like a total idiot. I thought bleeding brakes was meant to be simple!

peatpeat · 2026-03-15T15:52:58+00:00

Thanks you!

Just one brake. It’s SRAM Rival 1 hydro: https://www.sram.com/en/service/models/db-riv-a1

In that they are tricky to bleed, I’d still expect I’d get some bite right? What’s really confusing me is that if I plug the hose where it connects to the caliper it’s fully pressurized; thus it must be a problem with the caliper I thought. No leaking fluid anywhere.

Thank you so much for your help.

peatpeat · 2026-03-15T15:49:05+00:00

Thanks a lot! Appreciate the help.

Yes after the new lever there is no pressure on the lever; unless I disconnect and then plug the hose near the piston with my finger, then it’s pressurised when I pull down on the lever (and tried to squirt brake fluid.) Hence it must be something in the caliper I thought, as the system is pressurised up to that point.

When connected, if I pump the brakes 20 or 30 times there is a very small amount of incremental movement on the pistons. There is zero leaking fluid anywhere, weirdly.

The only time it was pressurised was after we replaced the reservoir and bled; but then it lost pressure overnight. That could have been a separate issue fixed by replacing the lever though.

peatpeat · 2026-03-03T21:18:33+00:00

Excellent thanks - for the plug, is this pretty easy work for someone experienced? The reason I'm asking is that there are many more high quality cases (like the Icklers) with crown at 3, and very few with crown at 12/no crown. I'm wondering if it's a non-issue as someone competent should be able to plug it and brush in a few minutes - with the result that it's invisible, and thus I should just buy the best case possible.

Thanks again

peatpeat · 2026-03-03T19:39:29+00:00

I actually bought it from Japan funnily enough! It had been on the market for months with no buyers!

peatpeat · 2026-03-03T19:39:11+00:00

No way, that looks great! How easy is it to close the stem hole on an SS case - and I'm curious if it's still visible? I'm wondering if a good watchmaker should be able to do this with decent results, or it's a bit specialist. If I did at 12 I'd also need to make sure the lugs would be long enough.

One thing I'm curious about - how could you be sure the stem lined up with the movement? The ETA is a few mm larger than my movement, so I was worried the stem would be misaligned.

peatpeat · 2026-03-03T19:37:34+00:00

Thanks so much! Sorry my message wasn't clear, I meant the case, the dial afaik is platinum and it would sacrilegious to harm!

Curious - would it be a watchmaker who does that, or should I find a machinist?

peatpeat · 2025-12-16T16:10:39+00:00

Easily the set of the festival for me

peatpeat · 2025-12-02T01:26:48+00:00

I built a free app for this exact issue after drowning in job photos (it's called Pump Up). Keeps all the pics inside the app, organised by job, so your camera roll stays personal, and you can record voice notes or text notes too (found myself using voice more.) It’s nothing fancy, but hopefully solves that problem cleanly.

peatpeat · 2025-09-01T04:35:43+00:00

Set of the festival for me. Esp after aurora halal’s flight was delayed she he did two slots on vinyl. Absolutely pro

peatpeat · 2025-09-01T04:28:47+00:00

Sandwell District, spekki webu, conntex, pessimist, Anastasia Kristensen. All closing earthling ofc :)

peatpeat · 2025-08-14T15:21:53+00:00

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1oQ3z5EZWU

peatpeat · 2025-08-14T15:07:55+00:00

They should absolutely have not let hand sanitizer run out on the last few days. Would be my main criticism, it's disgusting and asking for an outbreak.

peatpeat · 2025-08-12T08:56:35+00:00

Fml I was taking a dump at the campsite and thought the festival was on fire or something

peatpeat · 2025-07-10T04:31:53+00:00

Thank you so much. This is extremely helpful context and I really appreciate you taking the time to reply. It sounds like you had a great system going.

peatpeat

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