pallet jewel replacement

[gary17]

Hi

Is replacing a jewel in a pallet fork to much for a novice with no pallet setting tool or any pallet jewel setting tools.

Also no shellac.

I am just asking as its a cheap lanco i am messing with and one of the jewels is broken. I can buy one from cousin for £5.00.

Should there also be a small locating pin on pallet shaft for it to locate in the jewel on the movement?.

[saswatch88]

NOT recommended but, You can cheat by using a super glue or epoxy since this is just a cheap movement for practice so there is no concern on having issues with future repairs. I would say use sone sort of slow drying or repositioning epoxy. I say this because one of the reasons why shellac has been used for 200 years is because it can be heated and cooled allowing for adjustments, esp on pallet stones where position is extremely important for getting the correct lock/draw on the escape. So you will need to use a glue that wont set right away. As far as your last question I don’t understand it. When you say locating pin do you mean “pivot”? Or are you talking about the safety pin located in between the fork, if so it looks to be there. If its a pivot which goes into the pivot jewel on the movement and bridge then i cant say for sure with the pictures provided.

Edited January 14, 2020 by saswatch88

[clockboy]

Don't use super glue. Shellac allows for re-positioning without to much trouble. Its cheap too.

[Nucejoe]

I  position the pallets, instal to observe the fork do its jumps.

Fork shouldn't hit the banks hard and escape wheel do the famous drop just before the fork reaches midpoint of the banks. 

Remove the fork for any  pallet repositioning.

Glue like saswatch said.

Use proper oil, hope for good amplitude.

Regards 

Edited January 14, 2020 by Nucejoe
Observe escape wheel to see pallet do the drop.

[oldhippy]

For someone who is not experienced this sort of repair could be a nightmare. Never ever use superglue, use the proper shellac which allows adjustment, super glue will not and you could end up breaking the pallet jewel or bending the pallets.  You need the correct size pallet stone, you have to have the correct position of the jewel for the whole escapement to work.  

[watchweasol]

Hi Gary   A no brainer buy the new one. Without the proper equiptment and appropriate skill levels you are entering a minefield after a week you would be banging your head on the bench,

[oldhippy]

28 minutes ago, watchweasol said:

 After a week you would be banging your head on the bench,

[saswatch88]

Setting pallet stones is not an easy task even with shellac, heating it to the correct softness and setting jewels will be enough to make you quit the hobby, having a pallet warmer will def help a lot in this endeavor, using a small extra piece of shellac on the pallet warmer or bluing plate separate from the pallet will be used as a guide to know when the shellac used on the jewel has the correct consistency.

 I agree with clock boy about not using glue. But for the sake of learning i think its okay, esp if you dont want to invest in the proper tools and the movement is not valuable. I cant say the results will be satisfactory since I have never tried it. Just know that even if by some miracle you are successful i will not recommend using glue for future projects. I think if you serious about the craft you have to be willing to try and do this right and not cut corners regardless if skill is not on the level. Practice does make perfect, but i always say it must be “good practice”.

I will also suggest trying to get the caliber of the movement its def Swiss and its most likely an A. Schild so if you can submit photos of movement we can try and pinpoint the manufacturer and caliber, you can then proceed on finding a donor movement which will be much cheaper and much less of a headache.

Edited January 14, 2020 by saswatch88

[Nucejoe]

I think Gary has heard about pallet adjustment and the associated pain in all vital body organs. 

His question is;  is there any way for a beginner to bypass the minefield? 

Franky , I too am in his shoes . 

Regards. 

 

[oldhippy]

The simple answer is no. Best to try and find a replacement.

[gary17]

Cheers guys. 

Seems I am trying to run before I can walk. 

I shall buy the part. But thanks for all the good advice. 

Gary

[Bauertime]

The last time I needed to reattached a pallet stone, there was enough shellac left on the fork around the stone, that I just held the fork with my tweezers and put a flame about two inches above the end under the tweezers and it melted the shellac perfectly without needing any more equipment.

[clockboy]

For setting pallets I use one of these.