Jewel Gauge Question

[JohnTosto]

Hi All 

I have a newbie tool question. I think I picked up a good find on eBay for 40.00, I purchased a set of metric jewel gauges  (SWARTCHILD'S) with only the .07 gauge broken.
The question is am I using it correctly? I started doing some balance shaft replacement and learned real quick that same part number doesn't mean same pivot size.

Most of the pocket watches that I have purchased with broken balance shafts seem to be missing both pivots so what I am doing (pictures attached) is placing the lower or upper jewel on a piece of rodico, using a high power loupe,  holding gauge with fingers and seeing what size fits best, usually try and work backwards (larger size working towards smaller).

I just feel that the pivots on the gauges are pretty fragile and could break very easily, is this the best way to use the tool?

 

Regards,

 

John

[nickelsilver]

You're using them correctly, and yes they're fragile!