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Installing Train Wheel Bridge BFG 866 (1 Jewel) Movement


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I assembling a BFG 866 single jewel movement. I am trying to install the train wheel bridge and can't line up the wheel pivots with the holes. I'm able to align the 4 bridge mounting holes and the mainspring barrel, but not the 3 wheels (escape wheel and two others).

I have watched two Youtube videos and one person said that this is difficult, but not impossible. He looks to have taken about 10 seconds to align everything. I have spend several hours and once was able to get the bridge mounting holes, the mainspring barrel and the escape wheel pinion to align but not the other 2 wheels.

Any advice would be appreciated.

In the photo green circles for wheel pivots and red for bridge mounting.

20230611_111905.jpg

Here is a photo with the train wheel bridge installed (before I removed it).

20230611_110225.jpg

Edited by Tracy
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  • 1 month later...

One trick that I've seen, was to put the train bridge on and align the screw holes.

Then screw the screws in halfway and drop the bridge on top of the wheels. Now gently tap laterally the movement holder a couple of times and usually the small pivots will find their way into the proper holes.

I've seen it, and I've tried it once and surprisingly it did work.

Good luck.

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Hi  install all the wheels then install the plate and screw in the screws sufficient to hold the plate steady and the wheels not under pressure then using a locating tool (needle in a holder) ans tweezers manouver the wheels home keeping thumb pressure on the plate (need finger cots) or a latex glove it takes practise and patience. when a wheel locates you will feel it click into place then move on to the next.

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