Platax Question

[Don]

I just noticed a nice looking Platax on the Bay. I don’t need one now, but every time one comes up for sale I watch it. This one has a punch that looks a little strange. It's the top left one in the third photo. Does that look like it belongs? There's nothing in the picture on the box that matches it.

Item 371379556382

http://www.ebay.com/itm/371379556382

Don

[cdjswiss]

Yes, Don, I spotted the same oddity. I suppose that the third removing punch was lost and the seller has filled in with the little pin-punch.

[cdjswiss]

Cousins still offer the two smaller removing punches (Bergeon name), they they call them: heeled bush holes. the 1.10mm is in stock and the 0.90mm is suposedly available on the 14th Sept, but I wouldn't rely on that. I wonder which one is missing?

[Don]

Thanks, Colin. That's too bad as the rest looks to be in very good condition. Hopefully that will keep me from temptation.

 

Don

[cdjswiss]

Sorry, Don, after looking again at the Platax tool on eBay, I now can see all three removing punches (they occupy different positions than in my Platax and I stupidly assumed that one was missing). What seems to be missing from the position occupied by the strange punch is the Reducing Sleeve, 2677.3A . But this may well be already installed in the Platax body. If so, then this would be a fine buy as you would have a full Platax set plus the little punch. If the sleeve is missing it could easily be made up out of brass stock - unfortunately Cousins list it as obsolete!

[Geo]

It probably is in the tool Colin. When I bought mine it was advertised as part missing, and like you say, it was hiding in the tool.

[Lawson]

Hey Don,

 

I agree with Colin and Geo, this is not a complete set of punches.

Be patient my friend, a complete set in good condition will come up for sale ... but when it does mate, be sure to pull the trigger on it, as they don't stay up for sale long.

 

Took me about 7 months to find mine, and it came up at the most inconvenient time ... right when I'd saved enough money to buy a Horia 7750-53 Movement holder :rolleyes: so typical.

 

Just as a reference image, this is what you are looking for Don.

 

[Geo]

I'd still bet money the part is in the tool. Send the seller a message and ask them to unscrew the retaining cap to see if it is there. Even is it is missing, as Colin said in a previous post, it would be really easy to make one.

The biggest problem usually, is the punches can have broken pivots or debris jammed in the ends. If this is the case it is virtually impossible to remove. I was lucky with mine, only one punch was blocked, but I managed to vibrate the pinion out using intense ultrasonic cleaning.

If you do manage to get one, it is a good idea to make a set of plastic caps to fit over the punches when they are not in use. The tips are so fine, that dropping them onto a wood or laminate floor can end up blocking them.

[cdjswiss]

Hey Don,

 

I agree with Colin and Geo, this is not a complete set of punches.

Be patient my friend, a complete set in good condition will come up for sale ... but when it does mate, be sure to pull the trigger on it, as they don't stay up for sale long.

 

 

This lookl like it! eBay 252034463500

 

As Geo reports I have extracted a broken pinion with ultrasonic cleaning, also from some of my staking set punches.

[Lawson]

This lookl like it! eBay 252034463500

 

As Geo reports I have extracted a broken pinion with ultrasonic cleaning, also from some of my staking set punches.

 

That's the one I'd be bidding on my friend

Appears well looked after and complete

[Don]

Interesting. Thanks, Colin. As I wrote in the OP, I always watch these when they come up for sale, even though I don't need one. The reason is because they are so rare and if someday I do want/need one I may not be able to find it. Granted, that's probably not a great reason to buy a very expensive item. On the other hand, is there a better, safer method of removing a balance staff that doesn't necessitate having a lathe?

 

Does anyone know anything about this Bergeon punch?

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bergeon-Punch-for-Extracting-Balance-Staffs-/380860502124

 

Could this be a viable option for removing staffs with my staking set?

 

Thanks,

 

Don

Edited July 24, 2015 by Don

[oldhippy]

I've just noticed this one on ebay for you that are interested.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bergeon-2677-Platax-Tool-for-Removing-Rollers-and-Balance-Staffs-Watchmaker-/252034463500?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3aae6cb70c

[rodabod]

Hi, thought I'd post here to avoid creating more Platax threads:

Can anyone tell me how to best select the correct "catch" / "heeled base" for a given balance assembly and also which punch to use?

I presume you got with the smallest that will fit in each case, but I thought I'd better ask first. My set only has the 0.9mm and 1.0mm heeled bases. 

Thanks.