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Invented a new tool for cleaning a balance


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So have you ever dipped a balance with hairspring into lighter fluid to clean it...old school. Well I do this occasionally and most often remove the spring for cleaning. However, sometimes it is nice to just clean the balance and hairspring will still on the balance cock. Soooooo, I invented and made this little elevator that has a small cap filled with lighter fluid, and the Balance is hanging on a tack. You simply lift the fluid up to the balance. This is so so safe with no chance of snagging the hairspring or dropping the balance cock and leaving the hairspring elongated.

It has not been completely finished yet and is still in rough form. Plus, I need to make a brass bowl vs using the cap of a cigar tube (it actually worked) with a spot of lock tight on the bottom. Really fun little adventure. And “IT WORKS”.

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1 hour ago, watchweasol said:

Thats nifty the two coins act as the lift screws  very good  no hands.

Hey thanks. Today I will finish this off; clean and shin it up and round up the end of the screws. As well, I need to make a bowl or find a 22mm diameter bowel that is better that the cap of a cigar tube cap. I also need to put on some legs. This could be the handiest cleaning tool I have ever designed.

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1 hour ago, jdrichard said:

Hey thanks. Today I will finish this off; clean and shin it up and round up the end of the screws. As well, I need to make a bowl or find a 22mm diameter bowel that is better that the cap of a cigar tube cap. I also need to put on some legs. This could be the handiest cleaning tool I have ever designed.

What about a rubber cap/foot from a store like Clark Rubber?

I don't know if you have Clark Rubber wherever you are, but any hardware store may have something suitable?

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