Hi all - set forth below are the answers to your questions:
(1) I use nail polish enamel as the base paint (usually, I have to give it about 2 coats). I've also done some powder coating, and although it results is a very, very strong finish, it is less resistant to the CA glue which I used to affix the watch parts. Specifically, the CA glue leaves a white residue which is visible through the PR when I use a powder coated tube.
(2) I used medium CA glue from Rockler to affix the parts to the tube.
(3) I get my parts from a number of places, including on Etsy, Ebay and at Cas-ker, which is a jewelry supply company that sells watch parts by the bag full (
Cas-Ker Jewelers Supplies). I also go to flea markets from time to time, but that's mostly to buy watch dials (which aren't ordinarily included in the bags of watch parts that I buy online).
-Rossi