Watchmaker Clockmaker Lathe Basics

Beginner Jewelers Lathe course - 16 video modules including bonuses and a course manual.

This lathe course is for the beginner watchmaker, clockmaker, jeweler, hobbyist or home machinist. There is no prerequisite for this course. You don't even need to own a lathe! This course will teach you what is needed when buying a jewelers lathe. How to recognize a good or bad lathe. What is the right lathe for you. Where to buy a jewelers lathe. What you need in a lathe, and how each part should correctly function. What parts and accessories you will need to get started. You will learn how to maintain and care for your own lathe. Complete disassembly, servicing, and reassembly of your lathe.

You will also learn about different types of gravers. How to make your own gravers that are better than any you can buy!! Where to buy the materials to make the best gravers. How to use your new gravers. You will learn and develop your lathe skills with 20 lathe turning lessons using gravers you have made!! There are also 2 bonus graver hand turning lessons!

You will impress yourself and all your friends with your newly acquired knowledge and skills. These are skills and techniques that will last you a lifetime! This is the first time this much information has been compiled for the beginner.

This lathe course includes a 38 page manual full of further information about the lathe and other details not covered in the video portion of this course. It follows the sequence of the video and you will want to refer to it throughout the course.

All tools, materials and equipment used in this video course are listed in the manual for easy reference to model, make, price and where they can be purchased.

Total course running time is 4.5 hours.


Course Curriculum


  Watchmaker Clockmaker Lathe Basics
Available in days
days after you enroll

Your Instructor


John Tope
John Tope

Learning from books and manuals can be confusing and frustrating. It can be difficult trying to recall what you previously learned in a class. That is why I have created these video courses for you. Even though I have learned from many books and manuals, nothing beats someone showing and telling. For over the last 15 years people from all over the world have been learning from my video courses. You can learn to repair antique clocks and watches.

My interest in clocks, watches and antiques started 25+ years ago. My wife Cynthia wanted to buy an antique tambour (camelback) clock like the one her parents once had on their mantel. Before that time, my grandfather gave me his antique pocket watch.

Since then we have accumulated several tambours and a wide variety of other antique clocks and watches.

Most of the clocks and watches we bought needed some work, or did not work at all. That is where I came in - to learn to fix them all!

I still continue to buy, sell, repair, and collect many antique clocks and watches.

For most parts of the U.S., and outside of the U.S., there are very limited resources to learn clock and watch repair. These videos are for those people who have some or no access to antique clock and watch repair and restoration training.

There are 3 ways to learn clock and watch repair.

  • You can go to school in Columbia, PA and pay up to $1000 per classroom course. There is no guarantee that you will remember all you learned or recall the information when you need it. Also, there is the cost of travel, lodging and meals. This is the most expensive method considering the costs and the loss of information you may not remember.
  • Do it yourself by looking up some information on the internet, read some books and piece the information together. Experience a lot of trial and error which consumes much your time and can lead to frustration and disappointment. This is the long and hard road.
  • Learn from The Tick Tock Productions Online School where the lessons are organized, you have a resource library and the ability to recall all the information when needed. You don’t need to struggle to remember everything, no trial and error from incomplete information and no travel required. This is the most economical and convenient choice.

See the testimonials below from some of the students that have commented about the courses.


Frequently Asked Questions


When does the course start and finish?
The course starts now and never ends! It is a completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and when you finish.
How long do I have access to the course?
How does lifetime access sound? After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like - across any and all devices you own.
What if I am unhappy with the course?
We would never want you to be unhappy! If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, contact us in the first 30 days and we will give you a full refund.

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