Repivoting a balance staff

[clockboy]

I found this vid on YouTube. I never thought it was possible to re-pivot a balance staff but it looks like it can be done. When time I might try it.

 

[JohnR725]

when I was a student in school the instructor I had told of a watchmaker that he knew that was capable of re-pivoting faster the most watchmakers could replace the balance staff. But it would help if you have the right equipment and of course you have the skill set.

 

[nickelsilver]

For balance staffs, with the exception of marine chronometers, I can definitely make a new one faster than repivoting. Same for chrono runners and minute counters (plus on those it's usually the hand-end pivot and it's iffy friction fitting a pivot where a hand will get pulled off one day). Pinions are another thing. To make a really high class pinion is a huge task, so repivoting is a real solution. A year or so ago I had to do a 0.08 escape wheel pivot on an old LeCoultre, oof, was definitely clinching when: chucking up, catching center, drilling, pressing in new pivot, turning it close to size and jacot tool. An hour job can turn into a full day job fast!

 

I am impressed with the vid though! He made a neat tool to guide the driiling, and looks like he managed to get the staff running really true, in a larger lathe for this type of work- plus it's Chinese. And used guitar string as pivot material, haha,  not what I would do but probably fine for the quality of the watch (balance looked kinda low-end).

[LittleWatchShop]

I am a rank amateur.  But I have no fear.  I made a balance staff for a stopwatch earlier this year.  It was a pinlever movement.  After several failed attempts at making the co-linear cut, I found a staff that was close and just turned it to fit.