Jump to content

Pivot Polisher Setup and Technique Help

jdrichard

By jdrichard
in Watch Repairs Help & Advice

 Share

Recommended Posts

jdrichard Distinguished Member

jdrichard

Posted
Posted

Just purchased this pivot polisher and was wondering if anyone has specific info on how to use it. I installed it on one of my lathes and trying to understand specifically the technique for finishing balance staff pivots: if that is possible.4ce3e13849e953c634572a8b81a63951.jpg80ec1e2b01575d82d24580cb49d1a325.jpg726b1c61c74723ba1e685701960d6813.jpg

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
nickelsilver Distinguished Member

nickelsilver

Posted
Posted

Archie Perkins' book on lathes and Marvin Whitney's book on marine chronometers give quite detailed descriptions of the use of these tools, the Levin book has some good info too. They are what a regular machinist would call a grinding attachment. They can produce excellent results, but the preparation of the laps and setup of the tooling is very time consuming. If you're looking for an easy way to finish balance pivots you're better off getting your basic turning on point and finishing in a jacot tool. If you want to avoid the jacot then wig wag tools (Perkins and Levin go into detail on them) are a much faster solution.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites
jdrichard Distinguished Member

jdrichard

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Archie Perkins' book on lathes and Marvin Whitney's book on marine chronometers give quite detailed descriptions of the use of these tools, the Levin book has some good info too. They are what a regular machinist would call a grinding attachment. They can produce excellent results, but the preparation of the laps and setup of the tooling is very time consuming. If you're looking for an easy way to finish balance pivots you're better off getting your basic turning on point and finishing in a jacot tool. If you want to avoid the jacot then wig wag tools (Perkins and Levin go into detail on them) are a much faster solution.

Thanks. Just thought I would try this one out, plus, it's a tool:)

Sent from my GT-N5110 using Tapatalk

Link to comment
Share on other sites
jdrichard Distinguished Member

jdrichard

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Archie Perkins' book on lathes and Marvin Whitney's book on marine chronometers give quite detailed descriptions of the use of these tools, the Levin book has some good info too. They are what a regular machinist would call a grinding attachment. They can produce excellent results, but the preparation of the laps and setup of the tooling is very time consuming. If you're looking for an easy way to finish balance pivots you're better off getting your basic turning on point and finishing in a jacot tool. If you want to avoid the jacot then wig wag tools (Perkins and Levin go into detail on them) are a much faster solution.

Is wig wag tools a book and how do I get it?

Sent from my GT-N5110 using Tapatalk

Link to comment
Share on other sites
nickelsilver Distinguished Member

nickelsilver

Posted
Posted

A wig wag is a tool for polishing pivots or other arbor diameters, it's used from under the work, and one side is supported by the tailstock and the other is on the work. Fried refers to them briefly in his Watch Repairer's Manual but he calls them "polishing shovels". The image is from the Levin book Practical Benchwork for Horologists. The support part in the tailstock is eccentric and by changing its position you can vary the angle of the part of the wig wag in contact with the work. Some tailstock supports have a roller, some are very simple and solid. The wig way itself can be dressed to make straight shouldered or conical pivots, and a basic rounded edge can produce a number of different conical shapes by angling the tool in use.

 

wig wag.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites
jdrichard Distinguished Member

jdrichard

Posted
  • Author
Posted
A wig wag is a tool for polishing pivots or other arbor diameters, it's used from under the work, and one side is supported by the tailstock and the other is on the work. Fried refers to them briefly in his Watch Repairer's Manual but he calls them "polishing shovels". The image is from the Levin book Practical Benchwork for Horologists. The support part in the tailstock is eccentric and by changing its position you can vary the angle of the part of the wig wag in contact with the work. Some tailstock supports have a roller, some are very simple and solid. The wig way itself can be dressed to make straight shouldered or conical pivots, and a basic rounded edge can produce a number of different conical shapes by angling the tool in use.
 
838972470_wigwag.thumb.jpg.5dcac5c2ad9e39b9cf8cfee3af944fab.jpg

Ah, thanks. I have seen write up on these in the past and ignored them


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Link to comment
Share on other sites
jdrichard Distinguished Member

jdrichard

Posted
  • Author
Posted

So I set up the pivot polisher and have a question. The cord that came with it, when tied together in a knot, the knot will not go around the lower pulley wheel. Is there a better way of knotting the cord so it does not get jammed when traversing the lower pulley?492c375fa59d728ee942c848c8395ab3.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Link to comment
Share on other sites
 Share
Go to topic listing


  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • Knebo
      Epilame / Fixodrop

      By Knebo · Posted

      I did that also for a few movements - well, mainly in/around the train jewels. I made big efforts to epilame the mainplate WITHOUT getting Epilame into the Pallet fork jewels (where it's not supposed to be, right?). I made litte barriers with Rodico around that jewel and used drops from a syringe to apply on the rest.  However, I've now stopped doing this. For three reasons: 1. It's a hassle and consumes more of this liquid gold. 2. I didn't see the need when using HP1000/HP1300 lubricants and grease for most part. The two places where I'd use 9010 (i.e. escape wheel and balance) receive Epilame in specific places... or the cap-jewel-setting of the balance suspends the oil sufficiently be capillary action (see my "conflict" about using Epilame on the balance jewels).  3. Lastly, and here I really wonder about yours and others' experiences: I felt that applying Epliame to the train jewels left them looking hazy (borderline dirty) compared to the (painstakingly achieved) sparkly clean results of my cleaning process. I just can't help but think that the Epilame residuals would mix with the oil and cause more friction/wear. I don't know.    simple: it'll stay there. It won't move any further. That's exactly what is happening if you epilame a cap stone. You end up placing the 9010 right on top of the epilame and the oil will sit nicely on that spot.
    • Neverenoughwatches
      Coil for old Seiko Credor -- 4002920

      By Neverenoughwatches · Posted

      There are some parts on Ebay for the seiko 6020A, it may just be a waiting game for someone to strip one down, NOS will be more scarce . K would strip your movement down to the module then start looking at other seiko movement to see if that coil is used, then seek out a seiko part dealer. Also Retrowatches youtube owner Mike may give you some advice try him on his site . He also hangs around amateur watchmaking groups.
    • Waggy
      Setting lever spring

      By Waggy · Posted

      I would agree, in order to work harden something you need to exceed it's yield strength when it moves from the elastic zone to the plastic zone and you get permanent deformation and work hardening which is fairly close to its failure point, relatively speaking and dependent on the material/alloy of course. In theory you can load something constantly within its elastic range and not suffer work hardening issues.
    • Waggy
      Coil for old Seiko Credor -- 4002920

      By Waggy · Posted

      Probably easier to get a complete new movement - but CousinsUK list it as discontinued. Maybe someone on here knows a substitute movement ?
    • Kkramme
      Coil for old Seiko Credor -- 4002920

      By Kkramme · Posted

      Any other thoughts on how I can get a replacement coil? Any “hidden” or unknown physical shops (in Australia or elsewhere) that might have them in stock (but not always online)?
×
×
  • Create New...