Balance Holder Tool

[Neverenoughwatches]

4 minutes ago, Tiny said:

sorry the tool thats quoted in this post 

Are we doing DIY or do we want a nice bench full of posh tools with no money in our pockets . I might be blunt but I also make sense. ( sometimes).

[Tiny]

No blunt is fine I just don't know how to store the balance wheel and hairspring while cleaning the watch parts

 

[Neverenoughwatches]

4 minutes ago, Tiny said:

So is it ok to just place it in a tray until it's time to fit it back into the watch.

 

 

Ok. This is me with a balance . I take it out of the watch, I look at it to see if it's doin ok.  I carefully flip the cock  over onto it's back. Tbh. I don't really have to think about being careful anymore.I have it down to a fine art but I'm still gentle . As you flip the cock over make sure the balance wheel goes with it, 2 tweezers if you have to. Cock is on its back the balance staff is sitting nicely in the jewel hole. I put it in a low tub of naphtha, I leave it for 15 mins, I then agitate the naptha over it, lifting the wheel if necessary to get it into the coils. When it looks clean, I lift it out onto watch paper I use a blower on it, I lift the wheel up again while using a blower on it to help it dry. When it's dry I put a glass over it to protect it from dust. It's now ready to go back into the watch first to check the beat error, then adjusted if needed then back under the glass until start up. Job done, that's how I do it and will always do it unless i need to change it because of an issue with my method or I've bought myself a new toy to do all that for me. 

[watchweasol]

Hi T  the bestway to store a balance is to lie it on its back with the balance upside down on the cock and cover with a glass. There are all manner of balance holders , some good some bad. If you are adjusting the collet , the tool shown and suitably modified aka Hector's post so the balance is held on the device and the post adjusted to support the balance and get the spring to lie in its horizontal plane at rest. I dont think the balance springs of today are as soft as those in the past. The damage is done when the balance is left hanging with no support for an extended period.  The safest and cheapest way is to put it on its back.  

[Tiny]

Thank you WW and NEW

I did write a long long reply but deleted it so I didn't look BLUNT just to keep the friends I've made on this wonderful forum 

[Neverenoughwatches]

32 minutes ago, Tiny said:

Thank you WW and NEW

I did write a long long reply but deleted it so I didn't look BLUNT just to keep the friends I've made on this wonderful forum 

Sometimes blunt gets the job done my friend. I like people to know where they stand with me and me with them. I'm honest and genuine. I don't BS and say things as I see them. When I think I've make a mistake I will hold my hands up and apologise. Life's too short to have it surrounded  by drama , been there done that didn't like.

1 hour ago, Tiny said:

Thank you WW and NEW

I did write a long long reply but deleted it so I didn't look BLUNT just to keep the friends I've made on this wonderful forum 

Tiny mate here you go a simple visual. Photo 1 this was me when I started.

Photo 2 this is me now.

High tech or what.