Jump to content

The Balance Wheel Oscillates For Only A Couple Of Seconds.

Ammar
 Share

Recommended Posts

Ammar WRT Addict

Ammar

Posted
Posted (edited)

Hello everybody,

It's nice to be back to the forum and to this hobby in general I've been away as things have been hectic in life and work (I'm engaged no btw), anyway I'll stop faffing and get to the point.

So I have this beautiful Sekonda ladies watch with a Russian movement (I think it's from the sixties?) and the problem is the darn Balance wheel only oscillates for a couple of seconds then stops completely, the train is free there's nothing obstructing it, the pallet fork flings back and forth  when I tap it, the hair spring looks clean and in a good condition, I cleaned and oiled the cap jewels so there's no problem there.

I might have put one of the cap jewel upside down But I don't think so and to be honest I don't want to deal with that horrible three legged shock spring so I'm leaving this as a last ditch effort.

This is the last time I ever touch a ladies movement I hate them with a burning passion, if I ever have to work on one in the future I'll just take the balance and the pallet fork off and throw the entire movement in the ultrasonic cleaner in sone IPA and that's it I don't care. 

Edited by Ammar
Link to comment
Share on other sites
mikepilk Distinguished Member

mikepilk

Posted
Posted

Take the pallet out, and give the balance a good blast with a puffer. It should oscillate for at least 30 seconds. 
Have you checked for end-shake?

Looking from the top - is the hairspring centred, and not bunched up on one side?

Look side on - is the hairspring flat, or is it rubbing on the balance wheel arms, bridge, centre wheel? 
Is the pallet fork rubbing on the roller?

Some pics would be helpful

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Nucejoe Distinguished Member

Nucejoe

Posted
Posted

 Always a good idea to put the balance&cock assembly plus fork cock and relevent screws  ( no other part of the escapement) back on the mainplate and observe the oscilator in action, so you  also have good access and view of the oscilator's  components. Short pivot ( worn) for instance might let its shoulder or shoulder seat rub on the setting's chaton. 

 Once you call the oscilation acceptable you would add the fork. This is elimination process in reverse , you bring  parts to the party one by one to see which one affects the oscilation.

Good luck pal.

 

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

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

    • Razz
      Bench Light

      By Razz · Posted

      Very informative thread! After reading through, I ordered a lamp from Amazon. Under $49 US (£39) tax shipping and delivered in 6 hours, yep! This one has 5 intensity levels and 5 color settings from 3200 to 6500. I use a binocular microscope and have the gooseneck lamp in case I need directional light. Don't mind the clutter of watches, those are usually moved off the bench when working on a watch. This really lights up the area nicely. The ring of leds on the binoculars is fairly cool when compared to the new lamp. I like it because once set it returns back to the setting when turned off and back on again.
    • Nucejoe
      Vintage Seiko Technical Guides

      By Nucejoe · Posted

      So fsr as assembly, I don't think you would find 5646 different from 5606, just that GS is 36000 beater. No unknown chalange is there as long as the escapement reamins undameged. Rgda
    • MechanicMike
      Alternative cleaning machine chemicals

      By MechanicMike · Posted

      no, I have no alternatives and don't know of any. I've bought Mobius and that's all I have. 9010, 9104, 941, D5, 8000 and Moly-Kote.
    • AndyHull
      Revisiting an old hobby

      By AndyHull · Posted

      I've just had the wood stove door seal replaced. I was hoping not to need to do that again for a few years. In the name of science I can't say I'm not tempted. I mean how dangerous can it be? Says the man who encouraged his friend the plumber to use phosphoric acid to dislodge the solidified sodium hydroxide that had blocked the bath U bend. We did take that outside first though, and yes, adding concentrated phosphoric acid to sodium hydroxide crystals and drain sludge is as bad an idea as it sounds.. so we did it several times, laughing like delinquent school boys until the explosions of brown goop stopped. The operation was a success, but sadly the patient died (or rather, melted), and we had to replace the U bend anyway.  Children, please don't try this at home.
    • rehajm
      Revisiting an old hobby

      By rehajm · Posted

      I don't usually fancy the yellow crystals but it seems to work with that dial... ...and you can't set fire to it unless you share video. I speak for all of us...
×
×
  • Create New...