Hairspring rats nest

[AshF]

I'm a great believer in learning from our mistakes but when this happened to me my heart sank.

It's from an ETA 2452 so about £20 for a replacement.  It's not going to break the bank but I'll have a go at fixing this first.  I've searched the forums for fixing techniques so have some good ideas on how to proceed.

"The difference between a master and a student is that the master has failed more times than the student has tried".

[Nucejoe]

First thing to do is to unpin that hairspring off of stud.( most important). 

(Your search show should a similair advice I gave, OP didn't listen,   spent ages like thisand ended up buying a new HS. )

To unpin I insert the stud back in the stud carrier even instal the cock, then unpin.

Next remove the HS and  put it on a white sheet of paper. No tac is needed.

Run an oiler through the coil, start form collet outwards,  to untangle any circle stuck under another, each time all the way to the end of HS, then you will see a much less tangled coil that is not hopeless at all. 

 

Good luck.

 

 

[AshF]

4 Hours later...

Not perfect but the best I can do with my current wizardry level.

I spent a further hour trying to get the stud pin back in and gave up at 1am.

[nickelsilver]

As a former teacher and professional of 20+ years, bravo, that's fantastic, especially given how messed up it was and your first go! It won't be a chronometer but I bet it runs.

[Nucejoe]

Good job.    

Hairspring end got out of where ever it was tangled, easily didn't it? Imagine or try doing this with the stud attached.

Where it still can use more sorting out is easier to identify from the picture, Picture of a new hairspring makes a good model.

I would rest for a while, let your mind come back to this naturally, before your second attack,  one or two more attempts and you are very likely to have a near perfect coil. 

Sort out as if you are sculpturing. 

Good luck.

 

[Nucejoe]

To insert the pin back , I put the stud back in its holder tighten screw, put balance&cock back on the mainplate, run the hairspring through the studs hole, put a bit of grease or thick oil on falt side of a screwdriver( not Rodico),  pick up the pin with it( pin stick to the grease)  and get the pin to sit perpendicular to  screwdriver, ready to aim for stud hole and push the pin home.  

Some grease gets on the pin, rinse it off in lighter fluid.

I easily sharpen the tip of the pin if neccessary.

[Nucejoe]

The pin is to stand perpendiculare to the flat side of screwdriver.

Use of tweezers for pin reinsertion is seriously to be avoided, the pin may jump out. 

Good luck.

 

[AshF]

Yeah, that pin is quite the pinger.  Got it in last night and now the watch works, just.  More adjustment of the hairspring is needed.  Thank you all for your wisdom, encouragement and compliments.

[Michael]

you did such an excellent job on that hairspring, I am surprised you did not get some life back into the balance.

[Nucejoe]

@Michael      With HS laid on a white sheet of paper, you obviuosly see the detail better in contrast, falt surface also shows you where the coil is not plus more advantages that a tac lacks.

Removal of the stud, is a must in my book.