Seiko 7009A Problems

[Folkvisor]

Hi

It all seems to work up to and including the pallet lever but the balance just won't operate. Any suggestions?

Dave

[matabog]

Maybe you put the balance impulse pin outside the fork horns in the wrong direction

Just a thought...

[jdm]

Bent balance pivots, insufficient endshake, HS out of shape, these are some possibilities.

[Folkvisor]

Hi 

I was wondering about bent pins or an out of shape HS too so bought a new balance assembly; unless the new balance is faulty.

I marked the balance wheel so that I know where the impulse jewel is when I replace it. So, I know the impulse jewel is at least in the right direction.

One thing is bothering me about the balance: It doesn't turn all that easily all the time.

BTW - I've tried lubrication of the pallet stones and the balance.

It's a mystery...

Dave

[Geo]

Check for bent pivots and make sure the end stone are fitted correctly.  Flat sides should be  towards the pivots.

[Folkvisor]

The pivots aren't bent but I've not checked the end stones. I hate Novodiac springs...LOL

I'll check that though. I'm also going to take the pallet lever out and see if the balance swings freely. I've not tried that yet.

Thank you for your advice.

Dave

[jdm]

Yes sometime a Seiko balance can really act up. I have one on the bench that stubbornly stopped running while I was trying to correct the hairspring which was overlapping. I hope to eventually find what's wrong, at this time I simply don't.

[jdm]

The springs are a simple version of Diashock, not Novodiac. The balance ones are not difficult once you learn the right tecnique.

[Folkvisor]

12 minutes ago, jdm said:

The springs are a simple version of Diashock, not Novodiac. The balance ones are not difficult once you learn the right tecnique.

...and hold your tongue in the right place...LOL

[Folkvisor]

If I lie the balance cock upside down on the bench with the cock facing west the hairspring will swing freely when it is a smidgen north of the jewel assembly hole because at this point the spring is centred on the balance wheel. The HS isn't centred when the pivot is in the hole.

It's almost as if the jewel assembly holes are off by 0.5mm.

Very strange.

Maybe I should break out the old ball peen...LOL

Dave

[jdm]

15 hours ago, Folkvisor said:

If I lie the balance cock upside down on the bench with the cock facing west the hairspring will swing freely when it is a smidgen north of the jewel assembly hole because at this point the spring is centred on the balance wheel. The HS isn't centred when the pivot is in the hole.

Then the HS is distorted, even if it's a new one. Normally a so slight distortion is not enough to prevent it from oscillating, but as I said, these are really delicate and capricious things, ask me ho do I know.