J_Hodgie

The connector I used is from here: https://www.digikey.ca/product-detail/en/molex-llc...It looks like you have the correct number there

First, thank you. Second, wow, that's a lot to respond to, let's get started.It's only about $2000 of equipment and some specialized knowledge. The mill is second hand, all the software is free, and the hot air rework station is $150. The milling bits cost about $15 each except for the thread mill and slitting saw, which are about $100 each.My username has no relation to Iraq, It's a short form of my last name someone used to call me a while ago. I keep using it because I've had the account a long time and I'm not sure if I can change the name on Instructables.A1. I'll send you a separate message about this. I'll just note I can't handle stainless on my mill. It would probably break the spindle before it could finish.A2/A3. I use eagle to design the circuit board. I have the board and ste…

First, thank you. Second, wow, that's a lot to respond to, let's get started.It's only about $2000 of equipment and some specialized knowledge. The mill is second hand, all the software is free, and the hot air rework station is $150. The milling bits cost about $15 each except for the thread mill and slitting saw, which are about $100 each.My username has no relation to Iraq, It's a short form of my last name someone used to call me a while ago. I keep using it because I've had the account a long time and I'm not sure if I can change the name on Instructables.A1. I'll send you a separate message about this. I'll just note I can't handle stainless on my mill. It would probably break the spindle before it could finish.A2/A3. I use eagle to design the circuit board. I have the board and stencil professionally made at pcbWay ( https://www.pcbway.com/setinvite.aspx?inviteid=459... <- referral link, feel free to avoid it)I'd be happy to answer questions if you get stuck on somethingJon

Thank you! The CNC has been pretty useful for making precise robot parts.I agree the hot plate method is generally better. I don't use it here because I have parts on both sides of the board, so to do the second side it would cook the first side.

Thanks. While it's not cheap, it's not as bad as you would expect. All said and done the equipment cost about $2000. The mill is second hand, all the software is free, and the hot air rework station is $150. The milling bits cost about $15 each except for the thread mill and slitting saw, which are about $100 each.

It probably could be cast, but it might lose some of the accuracy needed to hold the crystal and electronics in place. With a bit of filing it could be possible to make it fit

Thanks for the tip, I'll keep that in mind when need lower power consumption

Thanks for the vote of confidence!I wear the watch on a nearly daily basis. From what I can tell most don't know I built it. If they do notice it's odd, I then have to explain how to read it :)