Jump to content

Loose Collect.

wudce
 Share

Recommended Posts

wudce Watch Enthusiast

wudce

Posted
Posted

Well here a new one on me. After removing the movement from the cleaning machine and upon removing the Balance the Hairspring fell off of the Balance staff pivot, never had this happen before, just my luck or lack of it. Anyways like to hear how I could tighten this up and have try tweezers but not going to work also have try some small needle nose piles but this is scary. 

2020_0509_065807_009.JPG

Link to comment
Share on other sites
mikepilk Distinguished Member

mikepilk

Posted
Posted

You need to use a tapered punch. But it has to be just the right size, if it's too wide it will push down on the spring.  

Are you sure it's the correct spring? I just got a watch with the wrong hairspring - the collet was way too big and fixed with shellac !

1.thumb.jpg.bd987a0f331e792460090e4866d9ecf0.jpg

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
wudce Watch Enthusiast

wudce

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Well yes it's what came with the watch and dose look like the one that is of same movement as another watch I have which is the same movement (Seiko 6309 A) I guess I have been putting off getting a Staking set too long. I can get a Balance complete but hate to spend that much cash on a 40 year old watch that I only pay $38 knowing I would never make any money if I sold it, in fact would loose money if I did. Oh well that's the way the game goes'.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
JohnR725 Distinguished Member

JohnR725

Posted
Posted
7 hours ago, pent said:

Or, if you are due for a new tool, how about a collet closing tool?  https://www.esslinger.com/bergeon-3007-swiss-tool-for-collet-closing-tightening-and-reaming/  It's on my wish list although luckily I really haven't needed it yet

it actually is a really useful tool.  then we just talked about at the other day it's been cloned

 

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
pent Watch Enthusiast

pent

Posted
Posted (edited)
1 hour ago, LittleWatchShop said:

I ordered it from Ofrei. Should arrive early next week

Need review when you get it!  Did you buy clone or Berg?  In regards to this collet repair, I would think this is the most "proper" way to fix the spring.  Of course, with the standard disclaimer that whatever yields the intended result without damage is "proper" enough 🙂

Edited by pent
Link to comment
Share on other sites
pent Watch Enthusiast

pent

Posted
Posted
2 hours ago, mikepilk said:

It is the "proper" way with least risk. But as a home fiddler, I probably only need to close collets maybe once a year. So I'll stick to the concave punch, and save my money for more useful things (e.g wine an whisky 🤣)

There's more than one way to succeed in watchmaking in my opinion, and as a hobbyist there's LOTS of tools we don't need when there's other solutions to be found.  Personally, I'm a tool junkie so I'm quite biased, but I do agree on wine and whiskey.  Let us know how the repair goes since I haven't tried something like this with a staking set.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
LittleWatchShop Distinguished Member

LittleWatchShop

Posted
Posted
2 hours ago, mikepilk said:

It is the "proper" way with least risk. But as a home fiddler, I probably only need to close collets maybe once a year. So I'll stick to the concave punch, and save my money for more useful things (e.g wine an whisky 🤣)

I agree.  But I have more money than good sense.  In my current situation, I have a watch where there are few donors and I have to fix this thing.  I am afraid to punch away at this hairspring since I have no backup.  So, I shell out the cash.

...and I am a tool junkie, and this stuff seems to never lose value...or much value

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
wudce Watch Enthusiast

wudce

Posted
  • Author
Posted

There no doubt that Watchmakers are tool junkie but I think you have to ask your self is this just a hobby or are you taking this to next level and that is making money off of it. I just brought a crystal press just to complete one watch I have, never before did I need this in almost 4 years in this hobby. So yes we are tool junkie and if your going to fix it right then you will have to spend the money for the tools that are needed.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
JohnR725 Distinguished Member

JohnR725

Posted
Posted

as you're finding out there's an unfortunate problem in watch repair. When you start off you just need a few tools to get started and your fine but as time goes on you discovered that watch repair can be extremely tool intensive. Realistically reach a point in time where you grasp that you will never have enough money to have all the tools you conceivably need. then yes having the specialty tools that you only use once pay or occasionally if it makes life enjoyable and pleasant justifies its existence.

Oh and in case you like looking at tools there's a catalog down below

https://archive.org/details/20thcenturycatal00purd

 

 

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

LittleWatchShop

Posted
Posted
4 hours ago, JohnR725 said:

as you're finding out there's an unfortunate problem in watch repair. When you start off you just need a few tools to get started and your fine but as time goes on you discovered that watch repair can be extremely tool intensive. Realistically reach a point in time where you grasp that you will never have enough money to have all the tools you conceivably need. then yes having the specialty tools that you only use once pay or occasionally if it makes life enjoyable and pleasant justifies its existence.

Oh and in case you like looking at tools there's a catalog down below

https://archive.org/details/20thcenturycatal00purd

 

 

I love these catalogs

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

    • rehajm
      Vertex Dirty Dozen crystal

      By rehajm · Posted

      A couple of pictures of the front… Sorry, I’m months away from this one, but…there is an edge to the bezel but I see no obvious signs of previous bezel removal and it is quite thick so it would be difficult to grab an edge on the crystal with a crystal lift. It does look like in/out thru the back…good luck…
    • rehajm
      Which Watch Have You Got Coming In The Mail ? Show Us !!!

      By rehajm · Posted

      That sounds lovely…
    • RichardHarris123
      First Project Already A Bit "Sideways"

      By RichardHarris123 · Posted

      Screws are available as below. 
    • ColinC
      First Project Already A Bit "Sideways"

      By ColinC · Posted

      Personally I would salvage the missing screws from some donor movement.  I also bought a random selection of screws "Assortment of Stainless Steel Watch Screws" for next to nothing.  As for using an Alum solution - I had great success with that removing a rusted stem from a stainless steel crown.  The best piece of advice I read on doing that was to keep the solution warm so that the reaction didn't take weeks!  I did it in a couple of hours with the solution in jam jar and the jam jar in a saucepan full of water which I left on an induction hob maintaining about 60C in the Alum solution.
    • DDean
      First Project Already A Bit "Sideways"

      By DDean · Posted

      I decided that it was time to tackle the piece that I'd set aside as my first project. The subject in question is a Gruen Veri-Thin pocket watch.  It winds and "runs".  On the time grapher, it has reasonable amplitude (240 or so depending on the position), but was loosing close to a minute a day.  The stem also has the annoying tendency to just come out when pulled, which makes it super hard to set the thing.  As with many things this one started sideways and just got more so.  I was able to overcome the mangled "tab" on the back case cover (a well placed, very sharp knife enabled me to get in when I couldn't get a purchase on the mangled tab with a case knife.)   I was then sort of shocked to find that one side of the dial was held down with some sort off tape or adhesive material as someone had broken the dial foot screw on that side and left the broken screw in the mail plate. The loose stem does in fact seem to have been a poorly tightened setting lever screw, but I'm afraid there may still be gremlins in the keyless works.  While I was able to get the stem to stay in by putting everything in the right place and tightening the setting lever screw (before I took it all apart for cleaning and inspection), it just didn't seem to all sit right. The final gremlin showed up when I was taking off the lower cap stones for the balance and escape wheel (yes the Gruen 380 seems to have a cape jewel on the escape wheel).  The balance stone came off fine (but that in fact is the smallest screw I've ever seen.  When I turned the movement around to get the one off the escape wheel setting, I found that the screw head had been mostly sheared off.  After some reading and looking at what I had, I decided to try and tease what was left of the screw out of the hole by nudging what was left with the corner of my smallest screwdriver.  After 20 minutes or so, I was able to get the remains of that screw out. The picture I'm including of the disassembled movement was taken before I got the second cap stone off, so in the picture, it's still attached to the main plate (for those looking carefully, you'll only see the one cap setting in the pic.) Now I'm left with: A broken dial screw inside the main plate that needs to come out A broken cap stone retention screw that I have in my parts tray, but that is strictly useless and needs to be replaced. The need to get another dial foot screw I'm contemplating solving the first problem by soaking the main plate in an alum solution.  I think the main plate is brass and shouldn't be affected, but I have not been able to confirm.  This seems like the easiest option as I can't really access both sides of the screw to use the pricey Bergeon tool (which I don't fancy buying unless I have to.) I have located a couple of donor movements and have questions out about whether or not the include the dial foot screw and prompting for pictures of the dial side so  evaluate the cap stone settings.  I've also found that a supplier in this country does have the cap stone settings, but isn't overly clear about whether the screws are included. Are these the types of things that one can scavenge out of assortments or is it best to just grab one of the donors assuming that they look like they have what I need?  
×
×
  • Create New...