Floating Balance

[Willow]

Hi after replacing 3 springs on 400 day clock and now have to order 3 more, i thought i will have a go at a HAC small single train clock with floating balance

and wanted to be safe then sorry before i take it apart am i right in thinking that you remove the pin, feed spring through and undo the retaining screws to remove the balance

[HectorLooi]

That doesn't look like a floating balance. It's a pin pivot balance. Yes, you are right. You have to remove the hairspring pin, remove the hairspring from the regulator then loosen the pivot well to remove the balance. Be gentle with the hairspring as it can be damaged very easily.

[watchweasol]

Hi As Hector says its a conventional balance, the floating balance is a self contained unit used by both Hermle and Smiths the enclosed document explains it very well should you encounter one in you work on clocks which you surley will.

hermle_floating_bal_summary.pdf

[Willow]

Thanks HectorLooi still learning i will have a look to see what a floating balance is again thanks for reply

[Willow]

Hi watchweasol that's great will have a look at that.

[Willow]

Do i take off the  clutch ( sorry if that's the wrong terminology)to take off the centre wheel can't see any clips or pin holding it in place, and then lever the wheel off please correct me if I  wrong on any terms 

[oldhippy]

Do not remove that center wheel there is no need. With that balance (it is not a floating balance) make sure the pivots are nice and pointed, Imagine a pointed pencil that has just been sharpened that is how you want the pivots to look it also will give the balance a good action. If by chance they are blunt you will need a lathe to sharpen them, also check the cups for smoothness in side as well. 

Here is a clock movement with a floating fitted balance    

[Willow]

thanks oldhippy unfortunately i don't have, or have access to a lathe will check the pivots and hope for the best it's from a HAC single train clock and i bought it because of that type of balance as i have not done one before, thanks for the photo i can see the difference now. One more thing is it ok to put in the cleaner with the pillars and clutch attached

Edited November 20, 2020 by Willow
added contents

[watchweasol]

Hi  It is quite in order to clean it assembled as is. The only reason for dismantling is if the centerwheel hole is worn to the degree that it requires bushing, otherwise leave it alone but dont forget to lubricate it on re assembly.

[Willow]

Hi thanks everyone for your input

[Willow]

Hi, can anyone tell me what the purpose of this indent is  in the pivot balance could hazard a guess, but would like to know in case i am wrong thanks in advance 

[oldhippy]

That is to line up the hairspring to the impulse pin, so when you pin the balance complete it should be in beat. 

[Willow]

Thanks oldhippy I was totally wrong

[oldhippy]

2 hours ago, Willow said:

Thanks oldhippy I was totally wrong

What did you think it was for?

[Willow]

well have seen this done on certain wheels where it helps with the balance of the wheel nothing to do with clocks though

[Willow]

Hi all finally got the hands to move more freely reassembled movement, clock ticking my first balance spring movement can you help me with putting this type of clock in beat how do i know when its in beat, how do i a just it and how does the regulator work it doesn't seem to do anything when i move it left or right. Thanks in advanced.

[oldhippy]

The impulse pin should be as near center as possible in the pallets, you need it to sound as a nice event tick, in order to get this right you might need to move the balance collect to the left or right to achieve this. If you find that it is way out in time keeping say its gaining a lot and the regulator is unable to  make any difference you need to let the hairspring out the opposite is required if the clock is losing a lot, you then move the balance collect into the center of the pallets. If the collect is tight you might need to remove the collect from the staff in order to get it right. Not all types of these movements will start up automatically when in beat unlike a watch, winding it up gets it going.       

[Willow]

Thanks oldhippy was wondering if it should start straight away when wound