Jump to content

ST36 hairspring attachment to stud weird

Flubber

By Flubber
in Watch Repairs Help & Advice

 Share

Recommended Posts

Flubber Watch Enthusiast

Flubber

Posted
Posted (edited)

Hi all, me again.

I've taken Mark's course and bought two ST36 ( ETA 6497 clones) that I use for practice and experimenting. Today when I was assembling the movement and checking if the impulse pin was in the correct location the hairspring detached from the stud. I checked on the other movement to see how the hairspring is attached to the stud and the balance cock. It looks as if the hairspring is glued to the stud with some sort of paste that is quite hard. It is not attached with a tapered pin that is inserted into a hole with the hairspring.

My question is what I'm looking at. Is the hairspring glued or actually welded somehow and how may I fix it ?

Edited by Flubber
Clarification and spelling.
Link to comment
Share on other sites
nickelsilver Distinguished Member

nickelsilver

Posted
Posted

I don't know that movement, but most modern movements have the hairspring glued at the stud. When they de-glue from cleaning I usually use 2 part epoxy (Araldite for most continentals), 5 minute, to reglue. Last one I tried UV glue as I know the guy and if it doesn't work longterm it's not an issue.

They aren't supposed[/] to unglue from normal cleaning but it happens.

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
JohnR725 Distinguished Member

JohnR725

Posted
Posted

Gluing hairsprings is not a new practice. The Elgin watch company pioneered this it was done to avoid stressing the hairspring. Traditionally a pin is used and that can distort. Modern methods Use various forms of laser welding or other welding.

Unfortunately the Chinese were not as thoughtful as Elgin and their glue has a habit of disintegrating if you attempt to clean the watch more than a couple of times. Epoxy should work fine probably best if you could do it in the watch because the stud will be in perfect alignment with the hairspring. Unfortunately there's not a lot of room to work.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
 Share
Go to topic listing


  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • Terrinecold
      First movement = First broken movement

      By Terrinecold · Posted

      Hello, I am just starting to learn how to hopefully service mechanical watchs Right now I started by acquiring a bunch of tools and a first practice movement (ST36).  Since I got it last week I have been practicing disassembling and reassembling it (I don't yet have the tools and products for washing and lubrication as I estimated that the first step is the manipulation required for assembly and disassembly). To be quite honest the result have been interesting.  My first step was breaking the setting lever screw when I was trying to remove the stem (OK practice movement won't be able to set time, oh well). I did manage to mostly disassemble the movement (I kept the balance together, didn't open the barrel and didn't remove any jewels). I messed up the balance spring a bit when removing the balance (I think the impulse jewel was still in the fork or something). There was  a small tangle. I reassembled everything and surprise the movement came back to life. I disassembled it again and decided I will try to fix the hairspring.  So with lots of trouble I removed it from the balance and when trying to fix it I made more of a mess.  After reinstalling everything the balance won't oscillate (likely the spring rubbing on things, either the plate or the cock). Right now I wait for my second st36 and continue practicing while slowly buying what I need to wash parts and lubricate them.   Any of you think there is a chance I can repair that spring or find a balance complete for that movement which will cost less than the whole movement?
    • RichardHarris123
      Learning Watch repair maintenance

      By RichardHarris123 · Posted

      Hello and welcome from Leeds, England. 
    • Terrinecold
      Learning Watch repair maintenance

      By Terrinecold · Posted

      Hello, I am a software engineer and all day spent in front of my computer makes me want to do something more manual as a hobby. I like the mix of intricacies and basic technology of mechanical watches, the fact that such marvel could be built manually hundred of years ago fascinates me.  So I decided to combine the two and learn "watchmaking"  (between quote as I don't expect to ever be able to make a watch). My first goal is to be able to service a mechanical watch. My current status is that I am pretty good at breaking small parts in watch movements  
    • eccentric59
      Favourite timepiece.

      By eccentric59 · Posted

      Nothing special to the horological world, but this is my travel watch. For whatever reason, this watch has accompanied me through airport security more often than my appendix and gall bladder. I feel as if i need this with me as much as my passport.
    • Tippex
      Case needed a lapping machine....So I improvised - Results are amateur but promising

      By Tippex · Posted

      Apologies for digging up an old post but I am thinking about doing the same. Can I ask the OP what medium he used on the wheel. Was it a sanding disc and polish and if so what grades. Thanks.
×
×
  • Create New...