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Loose pallet stones

AlexeiJ1

By AlexeiJ1
in Watch Repairs Help & Advice

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AlexeiJ1 WRT Addict

AlexeiJ1

Posted
Posted

Hi guys, Happy New Year!

I have a Citizen 6001 on the bench with loose pallet stones. I ordered a new pallet fork from Poland but it has the same problem. This model may have had bad shellac?

Is it possible to re-glue to stones with heat?

I have set the stones back as they were in the factory, but have no means of melting new shellac, nor the expertise to re-set the stones to the right depth.

Is it enough to put the fork on a metal bar with a fine hole (such as my staking set base) and heat it with flame/ or in the oven?

Cheers
Alex

jdm Distinguished Member

jdm

Posted
Posted
5 hours ago, AlexeiJ1 said:

Is it enough to put the fork on a metal bar with a fine hole (such as my staking set base) and heat it with flame/ or in the oven?

No it is not, one needs to watch and control from very near the amount of heat In other words, the heat must be indirect and diffused by contact - from that the need to use a plate. In addition to the related discussion on this forum, watch our Host Mark Lovick making a pallets heather.

 

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VWatchie Distinguished Member

VWatchie

Posted
Posted (edited)
5 hours ago, AlexeiJ1 said:

Is it enough to put the fork on a metal bar with a fine hole (such as my staking set base) and heat it with flame/ or in the oven?

Yes, I think that could work, and I like that you think "out of the box". I would stay away from the oven though as it would make it difficult to see what's going on.

Before warming the shellac, make sure that the pallets don't tilt in the pallet fork slots but are level with the slots and that the locking depth is reasonably well adjusted. Also, don't overheat the shellac. If it starts to boil/bubble you've overdone it. Warm gradually until you see that it begins to melt and glisten. I've written more about this topic in the below thread. I think you would find it useful. Good luck!

EDIT: Forgot to mention, @jdm's point is very important: "the heat must be indirect and diffused by contact".

Edited by VWatchie
watchweasol Distinguished Member

watchweasol

Posted
Posted

Hi  Ithink if you make a tool such as the one done by Mark and warm it over a gas light you should be ok, only problem with the oven is access when its warm enough the manouver the stones.  As indicatd by Mark use indirect heat. and note what Vwatchie has said on the topic.

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mikepilk Distinguished Member

mikepilk

Posted
Posted

I use an old pocket watch mainplate with a handle bolted on. It has lots of holes to put the pallet pivot in, and is thick enough to heat slowly/maintain the heat. 

As mentioned above, go slowly, it only takes seconds (maybe 10-20) to melt the shellac.  

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