Jump to content

Broken Screw Removal from Nickel Plated Movement

nlapietr
 Share

Recommended Posts

nlapietr Watch Enthusiast

nlapietr

Posted
Posted

Good day.  I have a WWI Galco (Gallet) Trench watch with a FHF movement.  To hold the movement into the case there is a pin on one side and a screw (pocket watch type, i.e. round with half head removed) on the other side.   The screw was broken off when I bought the watch.  I believe the movement/main plate is Nickel Plated.  My question is can I use Alum powder in water to dissolve the screw or will that also screw up the nickel plating?  Thanks in advance.1955726989_GalletMovementPic.thumb.jpg.6fd4cdaf7dd8a733170c85752a065432.jpg

praezis Distinguished Member

praezis

Posted
Posted

Good question. I once removed a screw with alum solution from a nickel plated chronograph plate.
After, the nickel had considerably changed its appearance and looked different from the rest of the movement. I will not (and did not) do that again!

Frank

  • Like 1
  • Thanks 1
nickelsilver Distinguished Member

nickelsilver

Posted
Posted

 I have used 12% sulphuric acid, sold as Vissen by Bergeon, on nickel (German silver) parts to remove broken taps. I noticed that if the part wasn't super clean the acid could stain it, clean no problems.

 

If you have discoloration like Frank describes, often rubbing wet blanc de Meudon might restore the original color. This is a white powder also called blanc d'Espagne which is readily available in Europe but not sure elsewhere. French chalk works the same. It's also used in ceramics and as a base for gesso so art supply stores may have it.

  • Like 4
  • Thanks 1
VWatchie Distinguished Member

VWatchie

Posted
Posted

If you can reach to screw from two sides you could also try with a screw extractor. I bought this tool some time ago and it worked really well. However, be aware that the tip of the extractors is very sensitive and easily deforms. Luckily the extractors are replaceable. Not cheap, like anything Bergeon, but as I said has worked well for me.

  • Like 4
Neverenoughwatches Distinguished Member

Neverenoughwatches

Posted
Posted
20 minutes ago, VWatchie said:

If you can reach to screw from two sides you could also try with a screw extractor. I bought this tool some time ago and it worked really well. However, be aware that the tip of the extractors is very sensitive and easily deforms. Luckily the extractors are replaceable. Not cheap, like anything Bergeon, but as I said has worked well for me.

I think i would also be trying this route first. Mechanical before chemical, mechanical approach more predictable?  For me personally i would say yes, you can stop at any point.

  • Like 3
nickelsilver Distinguished Member

nickelsilver

Posted
Posted
23 hours ago, VWatchie said:

If you can reach to screw from two sides you could also try with a screw extractor. I bought this tool some time ago and it worked really well. However, be aware that the tip of the extractors is very sensitive and easily deforms. Luckily the extractors are replaceable. Not cheap, like anything Bergeon, but as I said has worked well for me.

I agree with this, but often the screw size is too small for the smallest setting of the tool. You can then make on your lathe new bits, or use a jeweling tool. Make a pusher and stump in unhardened steel that fit. Clamp the (hard steel screw) between the two, and unwind the stuck bit turning the plate around. Has worked for me more times than the (well conceived) Bergeon tool. The unhardened steel grips the hard screw quite well.

  • Like 5
VWatchie Distinguished Member

VWatchie

Posted
Posted
7 minutes ago, nickelsilver said:

You can then make on your lathe new bits

So another reason to get a lathe! I guess it will pay off in the long run. And if (when?) I get one I will probably wonder how I ever could be without it 🤔

  • Like 1
  • 1 month later...
TimeWerks Member

TimeWerks

Posted
Posted

I have a similar problem with a twist.  I have a dial screw that is broken so the screw is on the edge of the movement and the dial is still attached.  

 

dial-screw-broken.thumb.jpeg.40ee2104aa99112dc592540d2056900f.jpeg

I could try a bit if crazy glue on the end of screwdriver blade, but not sure it wouldnt sheer off due to the torque, and also worried I might make things worse with the glue.

I ordered a set of screw extractors (simple hand tools) but the bit sizes were too large.  Could try to make a extractor type bit out of high speed steel, somehow secure the movement flat on a tool platform on a watchmakers lathe, and try running the lathe in reverse pushing the fabricated extractor against the remaining screw thread.

If that doesn't work, I was going to follow an old recommendation and use a really small drill bit in the normal direction, along with a subsequent broach.

clear-broken-screws.jpg.7603ef9c8666b3aef760a1971016c90b.jpg

Any other suggestions welcome.  

 

  • Like 1
praezis Distinguished Member

praezis

Posted
Posted
On 9/27/2022 at 10:39 PM, VWatchie said:

So another reason to get a lathe! I guess it will pay off in the long run. And if (when?) I get one I will probably wonder how I ever could be without it 🤔

Exactly how it will be! You can save at least 100 "special" tools if you have a lathe. I use mine daily for 1000 small  tasks that have nothing to do with turning a balance staff or so.

Frank

  • Like 1

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • RichardHarris123
      Oldhippy

      By RichardHarris123 · Posted

      @oldhippy, hasn't been on since the 14th of April, I messaged him nine days ago, no reply.  I  hope he's on an around the world trip with endless booze and supermodels.   joking apart, I  hope he's alright. Does anyone know anything? 
    • mbwatch
      A lathe with indexing that won't break the bank?

      By mbwatch · Posted

      Some of the older American companies did at least claim to manufacture them so reliably that any one of their tailstocks should perfectly center any one of their headstocks. But it would take probably someone like nickelsilver to verify that in a big enough collection.
    • tomh207
      A lathe with indexing that won't break the bank?

      By tomh207 · Posted

      You also have another potential issue with head and tail stocks, in my research it would seem that for the American style lathes the head and tail stocks were bored as a pair. So a matched pair is good a “pair “ made up from two different lathes cause some headaches. The Swiss Geneva style lathes are much lighter but were apparently made to fit any lathe. I have seen mention of being able to shim the tailstock as well to true up. indexing is again not so straightforward for a watchmaker lathe, at least not as I have found so far. Often a lathe will come with basic indexing which is limited to 60 positions. The full index plates do come up at times for eywatering prices. It is very possible to do that electronically. As well as what @SwissSeiko maybe able to point you to have a look here. https://imakewatches.com/projects/CNCIndexDriver.html   https://imakewatches.com/projects/MillingAttachment.html   Tom
    • JohnR725
      A lathe with indexing that won't break the bank?

      By JohnR725 · Posted

      On a watch repair discussion group that you know that we love to see naked watches out of the case you show us a box? I think a book on watchmakers lathes should be helpful.   The watchmakers' lathe, its use and abuse; a story of the lathe in its various forms, past and present, its construction and proper uses by     Goodrich, Ward L https://archive.org/details/watchmakerslathe00good  
    • coreymsnow
      A lathe with indexing that won't break the bank?

      By coreymsnow · Posted

      Got it. So a WW lathe will have that graduated drive pulley for different speeds and similar setup for the bed and tailstock, but they won't be fully compatible with one another in terms of parts. Thanks! The picture helps a lot.
×
×
  • Create New...