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BFG 866 back to the basics

gina

By gina
in Watch Repairs Help & Advice

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gina Member

gina

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Does anyone have some secret way to line up all the wheels under that huge barrel bridge? I have some success except when it comes to the escape wheel. It literally escapes the pin holes.

Thanks everyone.

g

20200503_143635.jpg

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AndyHull Distinguished Member

AndyHull

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I tend to prop it up on a small blob of rodico. This makes it slightly easier, as you can adjust its position relative to all the other bits that are moving randomly about,  but it is still very hit or miss. Keep the swear jar handy, you will need it.

I presume there was some sort of clever jig in the factory that kept everything upright while they screwed down the lid.

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oldhippy Distinguished Member

oldhippy

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You know what they say practice makes perfect. No harm in putting a little pressure by using your finger on the top plate, then use your tweezers on each wheel, longest pivot first. When all wheels are in their places keep you finger there until the screws have been added, just remove any finger marks with rodico.  

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watchweasol Distinguished Member

watchweasol

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Hi  what I do is to pop in the screws and tighten down sufficiently just to hold the wheels and then juggle them in  but as the thing giving you the pain is the escape wheel,  Andy's method will work quite well.  The same principal was used and published By Sylvester Crowley a while back when assembling three train clocks, rodico holding the wheels in place before dropping the back plate on.   I have a copy of his publication.        cheers

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gina Member

gina

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22 minutes ago, AndyHull said:

I think I'm more like this bemused cat, trying to understand what unseen force is at work, moving things around, beyond my comprehension.

That cat is awesome! Ha!

 

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