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Showing results for tags 'The learning curve is steep!'.
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I recently picked up a 1867 Elgin 18s G M Wheeler movement. It came without hands and case, so I bought a set of hands from Marty Bell (the hand guy). They are beautiful, by the way. He does such great work. But I digress. Now keep in mind, I would need to study for a year just to qualify as a "novice". I have a few tools, but removing and re-installing a balance cock is about as brave as I've gotten so far. But come on, hands? I have one those "Acme hand setting tool with three spring-loaded push arms as 6 different fittings") things I picked up on the net. I've done this before, once, kinda... what could be so hard? (That sounds a bit like "Hey honey, watch this?" doesn't it?) Second hand went on no big deal. The hour hand was pretty easy too, although wouldn't you know it, I couldn't use my hand setter as it doesn't have a fitting with a big enough opening to accommodate a key set post. I had seen the guy on YouTube who swears and burps all the time use a set of tweezers. I mean if he can do it, why not me? I positioned the hand, lined-up the tweezers on the edge of the ring and gave a push. Presto, it's on! I mucked about for a sec to get the hand level and I was ready for the minute hand. I feeling a might cocky that this point. Give me that hand, I'm go in there! What a pain in the butt! The darn thing kept slipping off, sliding around, spinning out of alignment. (To quote the YouTube guy, "everything moves!") I finally had the hand resting on top for the setting nut (if that's what you call it) and it was time to press it in place. I position the tweezers and slip. Reposition and slip, press down and slip. You're getting the picture, right? Now I have the hand just on so it is flush with the nut, but I absolutely can not advance it. How the heck can it set the watch if I can't get a key on the nut? I'd like to tell you I had to moved my watch keys out of the way while looking for something to push down on the minute hand, but that would be a stretch. But at some point, the light, however dim, went off in my wee bit of a brain. I could use a watch key to push down on the hand! 2 minute later the hands in place and I'm calling everybody, including my Mom tell them about my latest victory. Did I tell you I bought a balance staff remover for my staking set? Standing by jk