Fixing an omega balance staff pivot

[gkmaia]

Finally managed to successfully drill a 0.1mm hole to fix my omegas staff lower pivot!

Now got to make the little pivot and lock it in. 

I am wondering if I should have actually made the hole 0.2 

[Tore]

That was amazing! Did you unhardened(dont know if this is the right word) the staff before drilling?

 

[Michael1962]

It is impressive to drill a hole with a diameter of 0.1mm.

I must admit that I would REALLY like to see the machines that can make a 0.1mm drill bit.

[gkmaia]

3 hours ago, Tore said:

That was amazing! Did you unhardened(dont know if this is the right word) the staff before drilling?

 

No I did not. And it would have made a good difference. Because it was quite hard comparing to others pivots I drilled as a pre practice. 

What would be annealing the temperature of that shaft?

[Tore]

I think warming up to cherry red, and let it cool down by itself.

[clockboy]

I have never seen a balance staff repaired so very interested how successful it is. I have repaired pivots using this method but the tolerance required for a balance staff is critical.

[gkmaia]

I messed it up. I managed to make a 0.1mm hole and was perfect. Just had to insert the pinion.

Then I had the brilliant idea to expand the hole to 0.2mm so I could have a stronger base for the pivot... but the drill bit broke inside... so sad.

I almost managed to do it. I think moving forward I will start with a 0.2mm bit, the 0.1mm is a bit overkill.