Advice Needed On Proper Repair For Worn Bushing/pivot Hole?

[DJW]

I have a 7 jewel 16s pocket watch movement that was extremely dirty and all the wheels were bound up. So dirty in fact that could not really give a thorough inspection. I cleaned the movement and reassembled it to see what worked and what didn't. 

 

Turns out the escape wheel was locking up when meshing with the 4th wheel. The problem is that the upper pivot was excessively worn causing substantial lateral movement. This hole is not jeweled, just a brass pivot hole.

 

I decided to use my staking tool to "shrink" the hole and then finish it with the proper sized pivot drill.

 

This worked great, and is really not the first time that I've had to di this on an un-jeweled hole.

 

But, since I'm self taught and not formally trained, I would like to know, "What is the proper repair for this situation?"

 

Would you re bush the hole, or.....?

[Mark]

As it was not jewelled in the first place it would be overkill to fit a jewel. In this case I would have reamed it out and bushed it. If the customer does not wish to pay for the additional work then what you have done is perfectly acceptable. I do it myself on occasion.

[DJW]

Thanks Mark. I should preface this and other questions I have with the fact that most all my repairs are on my own watches. I do on occasion do some repairs for just one gentleman who sends me broken pocket watches. If I don't know how to repair them or feel I don't have the skill to do it, I let him know and pass on it. He's been really great with me and if I do charge him for anything it's usually very little. Mostly, I work on trade with him, work traded for movements. That sort of thing! 

 

I don't want you guys thinking I'm out there pretending to be something I'm not....

[Mark]

I think you are doing very well. The examples you have posted and the tips you have offered are outstanding. It matters not wether you are self taught or not, results are what matters.

 

I know some people that would turn their nose up at your solution above but those guys are not in the real world and only focus on what they have learnt and, in their opinions, all other methods are crap.

 

I have read a german forum (using Google translate) some guys were calling one of my vids a botch job - this is typical of some peoples attitude. It often does not matter about the method - what matters most is the result.

 

My opinion is that when you do a repair you should consider three things.

 

1. Is the repair effective and meet the owners expectations (even if the owner is you).
2. Will the repair last for a reasonable amount of time.
3. Have you modified the watch in such a way that it causes the next watch repairer to work on it sincere grief (example: copious amounts of epoxy holding it together or gluing a back on because it doesn't snap in place). Consideration for the next watch repairer is only polite. 

These are just my opinions - others may not agree.

[WillFly]

Mark, I'm only an amateur watch person - not even a tinkerer - but, from what I've seen of your videos, they seem absolutely professional to me.

 

**BLEEP** oiks! :growl:

[autowind]

I think disparaging remarks about your videos by a German are probably a case of Sour Kraut,  take no notice, you can work on my Rolex any day (If I had one  :thumbsu: ).

[Mark]

Thanks guys.

 

In this business, I guess like any, you always get the stuck up ones who always think they know best. My vids show my methods - others have their methods - that's just the way it is. The correct method is the one that works, and any method that works is fair game. *see edit*

 

I shall get off my soap box now lol.

 

 

*edit* As long as you are not modifying the movement without the owners consent

[No8yogi]

your videos have inspired me I would never have even thought about changing a mainspring without your videos! now I am halfway through doing one! I have watched a couple of them a few times and my love of horology is growing by the day!

[Geo]

I most say this forum is a breath of fresh air. Especially Mark who is very supportive of the members regardless of their competency levels. I don't feel apprehensive about posting technical matters even though I have only been working on watches for a couple of years.

My next project will be refurbishing an old Landeron 48 chronograph, I'll record how it goes and post how it goes later.

[DJW]

Mark, This is Great advise for me to use! I'm more willing to experiment with different repair techniques on my personal "Stuff." This gives me confidence in repairing others watches as I've determined to myself what may work and what should be left to someone who has a higher skill level. This is where I find your video's so important! I get to see what are some of the common problems and have step by step direction from a quality teacher.

So, I do take this very seriously and would love to do this for a living...As a matter of fact, my wife and I will be relocating back to our original stomping grounds, Washington State in October where there is a non profit watch repair program that seems like a great alternative to formal college. It is taught by quality people and classes are in the evening and last 2-3 hours. This is perfect for someone who still has to work to make ends meet!

Here is the program I will be entering...

http://www.norwestschoolofhorology.com/classes.php
It's not going to make me a certified watchmaker, but it is a good resource to hone my skills, just as your videos do as well!

Don

[Geo]

Here is the program I will be entering...

http://www.norwestschoolofhorology.com/classes.php

It's not going to make me a certified watchmaker, but it is a good resource to hone my skills, just as your videos do as well!

Don

Oooooooo I like that, pity it's such a long way from Dundee (Scotland)!

[Mark]

That is an amazing resource Don. You will enjoy that so much.

In the UK we have very little in terms of pure watch repairing tuition. There are general Horology courses but the one I went on back in the late 80s did little to prepare me for real world watch repairing and I understand that, whilst interesting, they are not much better now and fall far behind wostep. I am talking of the BHI offerings.

I think there is a wostep course in the uk but places are extremely limited and it gets monopolised by the course sponsors (watch houses) sending their trainees on it.

Good decision so good luck with that Don :)

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Keitharoo]

Pardon my ignorance, and my responding to an old thread, but what does it mean to "shrink" a hole with a staking tool?  I can't find any information, and repairing pivot holes would be a very handy skill for me to have.

[oldhippy]

Pardon my ignorance, and my responding to an old thread, but what does it mean to "shrink" a hole with a staking tool?  I can't find any information, and repairing pivot holes would be a very handy skill for me to have.

To close it a little by means of using a staking tool, to make the hole smaller.

[rogart63]

Pardon my ignorance, and my responding to an old thread, but what does it mean to "shrink" a hole with a staking tool?  I can't find any information, and repairing pivot holes would be a very handy skill for me to have.

You could use a ball type punch and place that in the middle of the hole. Give it a punch with the hammer on the tool. That would make the hole a little smaller. Then you could use a reamer to drill  it to the right size.