My Practical Exercises, Course Level 2

[MarkK]

Hi everyone!

I made log of my activities with photos of my practical exercises for WR Course level 2. It's in the PDF file attached. 

I had some scary moments doing this. One of them was the balance cock that slid off the movement onto the table while dangling by the hairspring. Furthermore, I discovered that end stone jewels and shock springs also like to fly, causing lengthy search parties  

 

Cheers, Mark

 

Watch Repair Course L2 v2.pdf

[watchweasol]

Hi Nice job and well done ,like most of us you find watch parts can take off at an alarming rate and disappear, When removing and fitting such parts its as well to either use rodico to hold them in place or work inside a large clear plastic bag that way is the part/parts take off they are retained in the bag. Get a large bag and cut the bottom off so you can get a hand in eiither end  and carry out the required operation, then work outside the bag for normal operations,,   Might save time and your knees.

[MarkK]

Hi  @watchweasol

Great tip!! Thanks!

 

[Jon]

Nicely done Mark!

I love it when luck is on my side, as you found when the lyre spring landed in your tray!

These lyre springs should be captive, but as you found, some are and some aren't.

Is this a real Seagull or a copy of the Seagull, because the cheaper copy's have the lyre spring problem?

What did you use to rinse the parts with? If you used more Naptha, it'll leave a fine residue, which won't be good when oiling.

[jdrichard]

Excellent Job and great PDF

[eccentric59]

Nicely done!

Both the movement and the .pdf. I still say I have a colony of ants that are secretly building a watch from all the tiny parts they've carried away from my floor.  They do love to fly in the strangest directions and end up in the oddest places (assuming you can find them at all).

When your shock spring arrives and you get the movement running, I'd suggest you give it a good wind and let it run for a day or three before you pop it on the timegrapher. Freshly serviced movements usually need a couple of days to "settle in".

And, what's your next project? I'd recommend something with an ETA 2824 variant (Sellita 220 or Seagull ST2130). They are smaller than the ST36 and have a date or day/date complication. They are common and parts are easy to get when if you send them flying into oblivion. I'd hold off on the Rolex for another week.

 

[Inatime]

Great log Mark!

[spectre6000]

I just did a similar exercise with an anonymous Chinese movement, and had the same problem with the Incabloc springs. Mine didn't fly neatly into my parts tray like yours; it flew to the inside of the left lens of my glasses, and stuck there via static charge or something! I didn't find it until I took my glasses off in frustration after ran exhaustive search. I eventually broke my spring as well, but instead of ordering another, I just won't be messing with cheap Chinese movements any more and will break this movement down for screws and jewels and what have you. My neighbor does steampunk art, so he'll probably get some of the larger shiny pieces. :-)

[Pauly]

I had the same problem with the lyre spring on my 6497 clone... Flew off 3 or 4 times... but luckily found it each time. Good tip about the plastic bag @watchweasol! I may well go with that in future. Lyre springs are turning into my pet hate already. I broke a tiny one on the first practice watch I got to work on (FHF ST 96) barely touched the arm and snapped clear off... it was about the last thing I was doing after a full clean and reassembly too... I ordered a new one (not that it is economically worth it, the watch cost £1.70) but I didn't want to leave it unfinished now I had gone so far, with the particular lower shock setting the movement has it will give me practice removing and replacing the setting too.

[SparkyLB]

Good write-up, MarkK.  That cannon pinion does take some force, but the positive snap will let you know it's home.  I like your pictures. 

If I'm not mistaken, it's ill advised to lubricate the pallet bridge pinions, please excuse me if I read incorrectly.  You may have been referring to the exit stone as you mentioned later.   

I don't know where I saw it, but this watchmaker oiled the escape wheel from underneath, using the two holes from which the pallet stones are visible.  He used an "L" shaped oiler, and held a tiny droplet of oil on it, and allowed each tooth to get a small smear as they passed by.  Now THAT'S dexterity.  That's got to be one of the most impressive, unorthodox things I've seen.