Jump to content

Can anyone repair a broken pivot??


Recommended Posts

After what started out as a fairly successful afternoon reinstalling a fusee and chain on my pocket watch, I managed to apply too much pressure when handling the movement and accidentally snapped the bottom pivot on the balance wheel! ?☹️?

I doubt a replacement can be found and if repairable, it is well beyond my capabilities.

Is there anyone on the forum that could assist with repairing or replacing this!??

 

2E1A5E5D-CABF-4D65-AB4B-9C8888A93315.jpeg

967B4E34-6C1C-4F6D-967F-66764AFD0590.jpeg

CFC16B8F-71DA-4231-9F59-4E1843AE6D35.jpeg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have watched a video in which Mark did it.  I understand the principles and I have the tools and the drill bits.  But I have never done it, and currently have no pivot wire.  I had planned to set aside some time to practice re-pivoting some old junk watch wheels and balance wheels, because I believe I may need to do so someday.  I can tell you, it can be done.
If you're not in a hurry to fix the watch, you can acquire what you need to re-pivot the staff: pivot drill bits, to start.  I have a pivot polisher that is set up to take drill bits, in perfect alignment.  But a small lathe is probably better.  You'd basically be drilling into the exact center of the shaft, installing pivot wire into the hole with a tiny amount of Loctite glue, and then poising and polishing and cutting to length, as I understand it.  This is something you'll want to practice on spare parts several times before attempting it on a watch you care about, obviously, but I plan to get good at this and I'm sure you could also.
I am also sure there are members on this forum who've done this, probably more than once.  I will let them chime in and add to what I wrote here.  There are many with more years of experience than I have.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

46 minutes ago, Robbie010 said:

After what started out as a fairly successful afternoon reinstalling a fusee and chain on my pocket watch, I managed to apply too much pressure when handling the movement and accidentally snapped the bottom pivot on the balance wheel! ?☹️?

I doubt a replacement can be found and if repairable, it is well beyond my capabilities.

Is there anyone on the forum that could assist with repairing or replacing this!??

 

2E1A5E5D-CABF-4D65-AB4B-9C8888A93315.jpeg

967B4E34-6C1C-4F6D-967F-66764AFD0590.jpeg

CFC16B8F-71DA-4231-9F59-4E1843AE6D35.jpeg

I make full balance staffs and usually do not repivot. check me out on youtube JD Richard

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites



  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Topics

  • Posts

    • Just missed it! I have a donor movement on its way. But thank you for the offer--I'll let you know if I need anything else.
    • My latest. Timex 2465. Replaced the crystal, caseback gasket and spring bars. All in less than $5US. Added a gray NATO strap I already had in stock.
    • I have some Gruen 510's in my donor pile if you need parts.
    • I've been intrigued by everyone's input here...so I decided to give this a shot. I bought the"typical" Pearl watch-machine basket and trays, for about $65. The trays are good,..the housing is a nightmare ! Thought it would take the mixer off my bench at anything above about 200rpm. The housing is cast of course,..and it's not "true" at all...so the harmonic vibration was insane. So,..I bit the bullet and bought the Elma housing and top. Not the baskets though, as the Pearl one's fit the Elma. Saved a bunch there. The basket and lid came to about $80 with shipping. The opening in the Elma top is 8mm, and the shaft that came with my stirrer is 6mm. I bought a piece of steel tube, 8mm O.D., and 6mm I.D. Cut off about an inch of the tube, and drove the rod into it. Gives a really snug fit.... Lightly champfered the leading edge of the 8mm section, then lightly tapped it into the top of the Elma lid. Spins like a dream now So... I have about $240 total into this including jars and steel mesh for the wave breakers   I'm pretty happy Best to you all   Randy
    • Still haven't gotten around to getting stems or screws, but I did make my first attempt at polishing a case. I just used a soft mop and rouge to reduce my odds of ruining them, and I think they came up pretty nice. Also gave the crystals a polish on the same wheel while I was at it. They were both very badly scratched up. The one on the left is fairly beat up, but it'll still make for a decent presentation.
×
×
  • Create New...