Balance epoxied

[mooredan]

This is from an Elgin grade 303, size 12 pocket watch bought for parts.   One of the balance staff pivots is broken, but I was hoping to salvage the hairspring for another movement (which it looks like I'll be able to), but pondered replacing the balance staff.   Closer inspection reveals that the roller table appears to have been epoxied to the balance and staff. 

I didn't expect to see this, but admittedly, I don't know what to expect being a beginner in this hobby. 

Is this salvageable?

[Nucejoe]

 I would take off the spring before any attempt to dismantle the rest, you wouldn't want any epoxy or shellac on the spring. 

Use of chemicals for cleaning the mess seems inevitable, acetone in ultrasonic works best but you might end up having  to re shellac the impulse jewel.

Good luck

[JohnR725]

4 hours ago, mooredan said:

I didn't expect to see this, but admittedly, I don't know what to expect being a beginner in this hobby. 

Is this salvageable?

If you Dothe chemical route to dissolve the epoxy It will probably dissolve the shellac holding the roller jewel in and you'll just have to put that back. But more than likely that your destiny anyway because that's probably just what's going to happen.

Then this is an American pocket watch it's had a long life it's been through a lot of hands and sooner or later you'll probably see everything. Then yes that's a little more epoxy than you normally see but not really surprising.

4 hours ago, mooredan said:

I was hoping to salvage the hairspring for another movement

As a reminder swapping hairspring is? Most watches they hairspring is vibrated for the balance wheels on C can't swap hairspring's. But typically a lot of times with over coil hairsprings so typically American pocket watches the hairspring was made first. The balance wheel was matched of the hairspring so you can take the hairspring and put it on another watch of the same type. But you'll have to probably play with the timing screws because the balance wheels not matched in it won't keep time. So just don't be surprised when you swap they hairspring in a watch doesn't keep time

 

[mooredan]

Thank you for your insights.  Yes, should have realized it: balance and hairspring are matched/tuned for each other -- hadn't made it to that chapter yet.

After getting the hairspirng off (collet levers are on the way), the rest can be expendable, but I won't treat it that way. Any suggestions for what will dissolve the epoxy?