https://fzl.watch/ Original research notes, workshop logs, and technical write-ups on mechanical Bitcoin watchmaking, CNC machining, and movement design. en-us Thu, 16 Apr 2026 17:42:03 GMT https://fzl.watch/post/view/the-carbide-milling-playground-got-smarter/ https://fzl.watch/post/view/the-carbide-milling-playground-got-smarter/ Wed, 15 Apr 2026 18:37:57 GMT Big upgrade to the carbide milling playground at See Here . I pointed GPT-high 4dawin at it. It came back with fixes that actually changed how the tool works.… https://fzl.watch/post/view/two-real-wins-today/ https://fzl.watch/post/view/two-real-wins-today/ Wed, 15 Apr 2026 01:35:06 GMT Two wins today. First: custom wheel cuts. Started with a traditional pattern—something readable. Change geometry from a known base. Not decoration. Control. To… https://fzl.watch/post/view/when-cad-history-fights-back-build-a-script/ https://fzl.watch/post/view/when-cad-history-fights-back-build-a-script/ Mon, 13 Apr 2026 19:27:20 GMT Complex CAD models have a way of turning one small fix into a full afternoon. You go back to change one early feature, and suddenly half the history tree is re… https://fzl.watch/post/view/back-at-the-machine-six-months-later/ https://fzl.watch/post/view/back-at-the-machine-six-months-later/ Fri, 03 Apr 2026 14:16:14 GMT After six months away from the project, I’m finally starting again. Getting back to it was not as simple as flipping the machine on and picking up where things… https://fzl.watch/post/view/small-surprises-a-new-micro-drill/ https://fzl.watch/post/view/small-surprises-a-new-micro-drill/ Wed, 03 Sep 2025 00:29:42 GMT Today I set up a new tool on the bench: a micro drill . It was inexpensive, I didn’t expect much from it, and honestly, I assumed it would be more of a curiosi… https://fzl.watch/post/view/one-year-in-lessons-learned-zero-parts-made/ https://fzl.watch/post/view/one-year-in-lessons-learned-zero-parts-made/ Tue, 02 Sep 2025 10:32:48 GMT It’s been a full year since the Elara 2 arrived in my workshop. In that time, I’ve poured countless hours into learning, testing, measuring, and refining. From… https://fzl.watch/post/view/when-software-stops-the-machines/ https://fzl.watch/post/view/when-software-stops-the-machines/ Tue, 02 Sep 2025 09:28:08 GMT One thing I never expected when I bought the Elara 2 was that a simple text file and a fragile license system could bring the entire machine to a halt. But tha… https://fzl.watch/post/view/velcro-victory-pin-pointing-the-a-axis-with-a-floating-probe/ https://fzl.watch/post/view/velcro-victory-pin-pointing-the-a-axis-with-a-floating-probe/ Fri, 25 Jul 2025 17:24:56 GMT Super excited! I finally dialed the A-axis to microns by referencing my ultra-precise touch probe—yes, the one temporarily Velcro-mounted to the spindle. 😂 It… https://fzl.watch/post/view/macro-m905-ready-fixture-cad-done-now-off-to-the-shop/ https://fzl.watch/post/view/macro-m905-ready-fixture-cad-done-now-off-to-the-shop/ Thu, 24 Jul 2025 20:51:01 GMT The probe fixture finally made it from napkin sketch to finished CAD. I’ve queued the RFQ on mfg.com; the shop says about a month until brass chips fly on thei… https://fzl.watch/post/view/brass-debut-from-rough-cuts-to-razor-sharp-teeth/ https://fzl.watch/post/view/brass-debut-from-rough-cuts-to-razor-sharp-teeth/ Wed, 23 Jul 2025 02:19:21 GMT First day turning pixels into golden curls! I sent a 0.4 mm carbide ball-nose through brass using a four-step plan (well, three plus a skip) and the chips did… https://fzl.watch/post/view/ghost-paths-and-spinning-cutters-first-flight-for-the-three-js-cam-demo/ https://fzl.watch/post/view/ghost-paths-and-spinning-cutters-first-flight-for-the-three-js-cam-demo/ Mon, 21 Jul 2025 23:13:11 GMT Big moment—time to push pixels into motion and see if the browser-based CAM sandbox behaves like a real machine. Spoiler: the cutters danced, the A-axis twirle… https://fzl.watch/post/view/more-passes-fewer-headaches-todays-g-code-glow-up/ https://fzl.watch/post/view/more-passes-fewer-headaches-todays-g-code-glow-up/ Sat, 19 Jul 2025 17:29:08 GMT Today the toolpath builder got a healthy dose of refinement—little tweaks that make the code cleaner, the machine happier, and me way less stressed. Here’s the… https://fzl.watch/post/view/focus-and-fidelity-dialing-in-the-tool-centering-camera/ https://fzl.watch/post/view/focus-and-fidelity-dialing-in-the-tool-centering-camera/ Thu, 17 Jul 2025 22:24:31 GMT Took a breather from grinding CVD-tipped carbide bits and gave my eyes (and ears) a treat—camera alignment day! Getting the lens perfectly in line with a tool… https://fzl.watch/post/view/cutting-in-the-cloud-animated-toolpaths-with-three-js-react/ https://fzl.watch/post/view/cutting-in-the-cloud-animated-toolpaths-with-three-js-react/ Tue, 15 Jul 2025 13:10:55 GMT Another sprint in the virtual workshop and the browser-based toolpath generator keeps getting sharper. What started as a proof-of-concept—rendering cutter swee… https://fzl.watch/post/view/3-stage-masterplan-to-tame-solid-carbide/ https://fzl.watch/post/view/3-stage-masterplan-to-tame-solid-carbide/ Sat, 12 Jul 2025 15:33:27 GMT Quick Recap ⚙️ Hey there, fellow watch-tinkerers! I’m still deep in big-whiteboard territory—sketching every wheel, pivot, and bridge for my future movement wh… https://fzl.watch/post/view/fusion-why/ https://fzl.watch/post/view/fusion-why/ Thu, 10 Jul 2025 17:27:31 GMT OH MY GOD. Fusion is great... but it can be painful. All I wanted was a simple G-code pass — just take the CVD-coated mill bit and slowly shape it, one layer a… https://fzl.watch/post/view/symmetry-in-motion-the-train-of-wheels-script-levels-up/ https://fzl.watch/post/view/symmetry-in-motion-the-train-of-wheels-script-levels-up/ Thu, 10 Jul 2025 16:29:41 GMT Big milestone today—the script now spins up wheels, staffs, and a full mainspring barrel in one click, then drops rubies into custom holders like it’s dealing… https://fzl.watch/post/view/jewel-decisions/ https://fzl.watch/post/view/jewel-decisions/ Thu, 03 Jul 2025 20:08:35 GMT Kept pushing the script forward — this thing’s growing fast. Settled on three jewel types. For the center and third wheel staffs, I’m using olive ring jewels w… https://fzl.watch/post/view/back-to-basics/ https://fzl.watch/post/view/back-to-basics/ Wed, 02 Jul 2025 20:42:19 GMT Rushed ahead a bit... then realized the numbers weren’t lining up. Even the tiniest error matters here. So I paused. Took a step back. Recalculated everything… https://fzl.watch/post/view/lathe-ready-to-roll/ https://fzl.watch/post/view/lathe-ready-to-roll/ Wed, 18 Jun 2025 19:44:41 GMT After weeks of learning, mistakes, and exciting breakthroughs — the lathe is finally good to go ! 🛠️ I had to remake the backplate three times due to differen… https://fzl.watch/post/view/website-updates-reactions-permalinks-and-smart-summaries/ https://fzl.watch/post/view/website-updates-reactions-permalinks-and-smart-summaries/ Mon, 16 Jun 2025 15:52:06 GMT Website Updates: Reactions, Permalinks, and Smart Summaries ⚡ Some exciting updates to the site this week! 🔁 Reactions: You can now react to blog posts — quic… https://fzl.watch/post/view/trying-out-micro-100-tools/ https://fzl.watch/post/view/trying-out-micro-100-tools/ Sat, 14 Jun 2025 03:17:00 GMT Trying Out Micro 100 Tools 🛠️ I've noticed that HSS tools wear out quite fast , especially at the micro scale. So, I’m giving Micro 100 a go — excited to test… https://fzl.watch/post/view/sharpening-turning-and-chasing-precision/ https://fzl.watch/post/view/sharpening-turning-and-chasing-precision/ Wed, 11 Jun 2025 20:56:00 GMT Sharpening, Turning, and Chasing Precision This session was about slowing down and listening to the work. I manually sharpened my HSS tools using both India an… https://fzl.watch/post/view/lathe-failures-that-teach-you-more-than-success-ever-could-fusion-360-lathe-workflow/ https://fzl.watch/post/view/lathe-failures-that-teach-you-more-than-success-ever-could-fusion-360-lathe-workflow/ Tue, 10 Jun 2025 18:56:00 GMT Learning, Trying, Failing… but Happy This week, I hit an unexpected behavior while setting up my gang-style tool system with Mach4 and Fusion 360 . Here’s the… https://fzl.watch/post/view/balance-staff-g-code-first-try/ https://fzl.watch/post/view/balance-staff-g-code-first-try/ Fri, 06 Jun 2025 11:28:00 GMT Balance Staff G-Code: First Try! Today I added the tool to the Fusion 360 library and generated my first G-code for the balance staff . No idea if it’ll actual… https://fzl.watch/post/view/building-a-gang-style-tool-holder-with-the-jet-12-drill-press/ https://fzl.watch/post/view/building-a-gang-style-tool-holder-with-the-jet-12-drill-press/ Thu, 05 Jun 2025 20:22:00 GMT 🔩 Building a Gang-Style Tool Holder with the Jet-12 Drill Press Hey everyone! 👋 Just wrapped up a fun and super practical project: I made a custom gang-style… https://fzl.watch/post/view/first-steps-in-toolmaking-grinding-hss-bars/ https://fzl.watch/post/view/first-steps-in-toolmaking-grinding-hss-bars/ Mon, 02 Jun 2025 14:37:00 GMT First Steps in Toolmaking: Grinding HSS Bars ⚒️ Today I ventured into a new territory: sectioning and grinding HSS bars . I cut them to size and shaped them wi… https://fzl.watch/post/view/exploring-the-bitcoin-complication/ https://fzl.watch/post/view/exploring-the-bitcoin-complication/ Sun, 01 Jun 2025 11:28:00 GMT Exploring the Bitcoin Complication 🪙🕰️ Today I started trying out an initial layout for the Bitcoin complication . The concept is simple but exciting: a visu… https://fzl.watch/post/view/back-after-a-rough-flu-and-big-news/ https://fzl.watch/post/view/back-after-a-rough-flu-and-big-news/ Fri, 30 May 2025 11:28:00 GMT Back After a Rough Flu—And Big News! 💪✨ Wow— apologies for the delay in posting! I was knocked down by a nasty flu , and even ended up with a bilateral pleura… https://fzl.watch/post/view/balance-staff-update-with-help-from-incabloc/ https://fzl.watch/post/view/balance-staff-update-with-help-from-incabloc/ Fri, 30 May 2025 11:28:00 GMT Balance Staff Update with Help from Incabloc 🔬✨ The fabulous team at Incabloc ran some simulations based on my setup and came back with a few recommended chan… https://fzl.watch/post/view/watchmakers-corner-coming-together/ https://fzl.watch/post/view/watchmakers-corner-coming-together/ Tue, 06 May 2025 10:00:00 GMT Watchmaker’s Corner Coming Together 🛠️ Today I spent some time giving love to the watchmaker’s lathe —a beautifully made machine by @watchmakerlathe . It’s se… https://fzl.watch/post/view/simple-but-satisfying-m4-clearance-holes/ https://fzl.watch/post/view/simple-but-satisfying-m4-clearance-holes/ Sat, 03 May 2025 15:58:00 GMT Simple but Satisfying: M4 Clearance Holes 💡 Today I did a small but meaningful exercise— making 4 clearance holes for M4 screws on a plate that will eventuall… https://fzl.watch/post/view/exciting-news-incabloc-replied/ https://fzl.watch/post/view/exciting-news-incabloc-replied/ Sun, 27 Apr 2025 19:58:00 GMT Exciting News: Incabloc Replied! 🎉 I’m very pleasantly surprised— Incabloc finally replied to my inquiry! 😍 Not only did they answer, but they also suggested… https://fzl.watch/post/view/deep-dive-refactoring-the-elaras-codebase/ https://fzl.watch/post/view/deep-dive-refactoring-the-elaras-codebase/ Sun, 27 Apr 2025 19:58:00 GMT Deep Dive: Refactoring the Elara’s Codebase 🚀 I started noticing some quirks on the Elara that I wasn’t very happy with, and what began as simple tweaks turne… https://fzl.watch/post/view/fixture-game-changer-thanks-paul/ https://fzl.watch/post/view/fixture-game-changer-thanks-paul/ Sat, 12 Apr 2025 16:55:00 GMT Fixture Game Changer—Thanks Paul! 🙌 Using these fixtures that hold 50x50mm stock —in 3.175mm , 3mm , or 2mm thickness—has been an absolute lifesaver. They've… https://fzl.watch/post/view/mainspring-barrel-in-progress/ https://fzl.watch/post/view/mainspring-barrel-in-progress/ Tue, 08 Apr 2025 10:40:00 GMT Mainspring Barrel In Progress! 🔧 Today we worked on the full mainspring barrel —straight off the machine after a rough pass! It’s been a journey of 4–5 millin… https://fzl.watch/post/view/tool-expansion-huge-thanks-to-alexis/ https://fzl.watch/post/view/tool-expansion-huge-thanks-to-alexis/ Fri, 04 Apr 2025 10:40:00 GMT Tool Expansion! Huge Thanks to Alexis 🙌 Big shoutout to my friend Alexis , who during his visit made something absolutely awesome—a custom expansion that adds… https://fzl.watch/post/view/2-micron-precision-achieved/ https://fzl.watch/post/view/2-micron-precision-achieved/ Thu, 03 Apr 2025 13:55:00 GMT 2 Micron Precision Achieved! 🎉 WOW! It’s so exciting!!! We finally reached 2 micron precision on the Elara —across all three axes: X, Y, and Z ! 😱 This has b… https://fzl.watch/post/view/finally-back-learning-the-lathe-the-hard-way/ https://fzl.watch/post/view/finally-back-learning-the-lathe-the-hard-way/ Fri, 28 Mar 2025 15:06:00 GMT Finally Back—Learning the Lathe the Hard Way Wow, it’s been a while since my last post! I’ve been deep in the trenches learning how to use the NSCNC Lathe3 , a… https://fzl.watch/post/view/barrel-arbor-test-15-and-still-going/ https://fzl.watch/post/view/barrel-arbor-test-15-and-still-going/ Thu, 13 Mar 2025 20:06:00 GMT Barrel Arbor: Test #15 and Still Going! The barrel arbor is one of the toughest parts to machine by hand. This is test #15 on the Elara with the 4th axis , and… https://fzl.watch/post/view/first-3d-printed-case/ https://fzl.watch/post/view/first-3d-printed-case/ Fri, 07 Mar 2025 17:01:00 GMT First 3D-Printed Case! 🎉 Wow— first case 3D print is here! Seeing the design come to life in physical form is incredible. Huge thanks to Alexis for setting up… https://fzl.watch/post/view/machine-move-for-better-air-quality/ https://fzl.watch/post/view/machine-move-for-better-air-quality/ Tue, 04 Mar 2025 15:42:00 GMT Machine Move for Better Air Quality After the Lathe3 disaster , I needed to take my mind off things. At the same time, I’ve been dealing with some eye irritati… https://fzl.watch/post/view/catastrophe/ https://fzl.watch/post/view/catastrophe/ Mon, 03 Mar 2025 15:03:00 GMT Catastrophe! 😭 Oh no… absolute disaster. I was so excited to get started with the NSCNC Lathe3 , but in my enthusiasm, I made a huge mistake. I connected it t… https://fzl.watch/post/view/nscnc-lathe3-is-here/ https://fzl.watch/post/view/nscnc-lathe3-is-here/ Fri, 28 Feb 2025 12:03:00 GMT NSCNC Lathe3 is Here! 🎉 Finally—my NSCNC Lathe3 has arrived, and I couldn’t be more excited! 😁 This marks a huge step forward in precision machining, and I c… https://fzl.watch/post/view/dialing-in-the-4th-axis-precision-matters/ https://fzl.watch/post/view/dialing-in-the-4th-axis-precision-matters/ Wed, 26 Feb 2025 12:03:00 GMT Dialing in the 4th Axis: Precision Matters Getting the 4th axis perfectly aligned has been a challenge, but I’m making progress! I was using a bubble inclinome… https://fzl.watch/post/view/from-simulation-to-reality-a-fascinating-process/ https://fzl.watch/post/view/from-simulation-to-reality-a-fascinating-process/ Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:44:00 GMT From Simulation to Reality: A Fascinating Process One of the most fascinating parts of this journey has been seeing the machine simulation in software and then… https://fzl.watch/post/view/second-milled-piece-more-progress/ https://fzl.watch/post/view/second-milled-piece-more-progress/ Wed, 19 Feb 2025 17:40:00 GMT Second Milled Piece: More Progress! 🎉 Another milestone— the second milled piece is done! Each run is getting smoother, and I’m learning a ton along the way.… https://fzl.watch/post/view/first-milled-piece/ https://fzl.watch/post/view/first-milled-piece/ Tue, 18 Feb 2025 15:30:00 GMT A Steep Learning Curve, but Big Progress! Wow—this has been a steep learning curve , but every challenge has been worth it! From refining designs to getting ha… https://fzl.watch/post/view/bridges-a-tough-challenge-but-progress-is-here/ https://fzl.watch/post/view/bridges-a-tough-challenge-but-progress-is-here/ Tue, 04 Feb 2025 14:55:00 GMT Bridges: A Tough Challenge, but Progress is Here The bridges have been a real challenge to design! It’s taken a lot of trial and error, and while I now have a… https://fzl.watch/post/view/keyless-works-learning-adjusting-and-improving/ https://fzl.watch/post/view/keyless-works-learning-adjusting-and-improving/ Thu, 23 Jan 2025 15:23:00 GMT Keyless Works: Learning, Adjusting, and Improving Today, I continued working on the keyless works , diving deeper into the details and learning more with every…