On the Job: Robinson’s

It may sound like a strange mix of offerings, but in Salisbury you can get t-shirts printed and your watch fixed all under one roof. We’re talking about Robinsons. This week On the Job 47 ABC was there to see what goes into the versatile business.

John David Robinson senior’s family started the business in Towson in 1962 where at the time it only served as a watch, clock and jewelry business. 10 years later they moved to Salisbury and have been here ever since.

First task of the day, soldering a gold ring back together. For this, Robinson’s uses a big laser machine. When using this machine, you have to look through binocular type lenses so you can see what you’re doing. You’re also using a thin gold wire, actually adding gold to the ring. But this part is scary because you have to line it up perfectly and try not to zap your fingers with the lazer. Next step after soldering, you have to sand it down to make it even and then final step is shining the ring!

Next up, it was time to change a watch battery! This is no easy task, especially if you have shaky hands. The first step is finding where the watch opening is, then you select your tool to pry it open. After your new battery is in, you put it back together, often using a giant clamp that secures it in place.

Last job for the day, printing some custom shirts at their warehouse. There are many steps that go into this process, but John says, it’s the best way to do it. First you pick your print, which is then laid down on a screen and vacuumed down to burn the image into the screen.

After waiting about a minute, you have to spray your screen down with a power washer to reveal the image. After it’s all blown out and washed off, you let it dry for about 15 minutes and then its ready to screen print. John says when they make these shirts they’re making one every 10 seconds. The final step is putting it through a slow dryer.

Next week On the Job 47 ABC heads to Salisbury Pewter to learn what goes on behind the scenes at their factory.