Jump to content

Tips and tricks to opening mainspring barrel

stevemilw
 Share

Recommended Posts

stevemilw Member

stevemilw

Posted
Posted

Hi

I can't get open the main spring barrel on my Seiko 7009A movement. I applying pressure to the geared teeth and i'm worried I will damage them by pushing any harder. The amount of surface area to push on is very limited.

Are there any tools or tips to get this done better? with so many tools in watchmaking, it seems odd that there isn't one for this.

Currently i'm applying pressure using brass tweezers to limit damage using the hard table as the surface. 

Thanks

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
thor447 WRT Addict

thor447

Posted
Posted (edited)

That is one of the barrels that separates from the edge, not from the top or bottom.  I like to use a sharp razor and a screwdriver as leverage, but you must be VERY careful when doing it this way not to mark up the side walls of the barrel.  With a light touch and steady hand they will separate.

Here's one on a 7006A (same barrel as a 7009A) I did the other day.

image.thumb.png.8508db87e80a97965c950f5f694437a4.png

image.png.89c27383ed2238e90f14a8e2d4367f59.png

 

Edited by thor447
  • Like 3
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 2 months later...
DrHWO Watch Enthusiast

DrHWO

Posted
Posted (edited)

In a similarly gummed up 7005A (also a side opener) barrel, I too struggled. Used a fingernail to apply counter pressure to the teeth and a bed of Rodico to keep the 2 halves nearby. Worked well and no tooth damage. Needed to avoid using nail varnish the day before and a trip to the nail salon after! Used a Stanley knife blade with the cutting edge abraded flat. This successfully avoided casualty trip, transfusion and marring the barrel edge.

Edited by DrHWO
Additional information
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.
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

    • ManSkirtBrew
      Picked up on a whim: Arnex 17 jewel pocket watch with Unitas 6498 movement

      By ManSkirtBrew · Posted

      Walked by my local jeweler today and asked if I could dig around in his old watch case, and picked this guy up (along with a cool vintage compass and a Seiko kinetic5M62). My girlfriend's son asked if he could borrow one of my pocket watches for prom, so I thought if I can get this guy running it'd be a nice prom gift. Non-running. Felt like the balance was overbanked, but it turns out the train was jammed solid. Looks like it was just dried lubricant gluing the 3rd wheel in place, because it's clean as a whistle otherwise. Parts are in the ultrasonic right now.  
    • Randy55
      DIY Cleaning Machine

      By Randy55 · Posted

      Neverenoughwatches. I did read your experience with the basket. I did try to file mine to true it up..but I couldn't find the sweet spot. I figured I would just bite the bullet and get the Elma components.   Thanks Randy
    • HectorLooi
      Chinese clone demagnetizers

      By HectorLooi · Posted

      My mentor has been using one of the Chinese clones for several years. Seems to work very well. Just put the object you wish to demagnetize in the centre of the cross and press the button. One word of caution though, the quality and QC of Chinese clones can vary a lot. You'll never know whether you got a gem or a lemon.
    • KarlvonKoln
      B-Dip residue?

      By KarlvonKoln · Posted

      You could also use a very fine artist's brush to brush between the coils.  If you get a size 00 or even 000 that should be small enough for convenience, and with bristles so fine that they are incapable of damaging the hairspring.  Get a good one though, like Windsor-Newton or similar.  I have never had a Windsor-Newton brush shed on my art or other work.  You want a soft brush that will not shed.
    • Levine98
      Chinese clone demagnetizers

      By Levine98 · Posted

      Sounds interesting but how do you push the button if you’re holding both ends? the large current draw overheats after 3-5 seconds and the thermister triggers. A great tool for magnetizing things but I’ve not be able to ever demag anything with it because the emf is so strong it pulls the item off center (down or up).   I paid $89 bucks for it from  CAS-KER, if someone on the board wants it I’d gladly sell it for $25 plus shipping (probably US only otherwise postal costs are prohibitive). Just sent me a note offline.
×
×
  • Create New...