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Balance staff sourcing?

mthomas828
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mthomas828 New Member

mthomas828

Posted
Posted

Hello,

I am about 5 months into watchmaking and I love it!   The attention to precise detail is what really attracts me to it. (and the tools!)

I am working on a 16 jewel 43mm pocket watch movement.   There are no markings besides a serial number (122248) .  The balance staff needs replacement.

The roller side pivot broke off. 

I successfully removed the hairspring using Bergeon 5430's.  I successfully removed the roller using Bergeon 2810.   Did i mention I love the tools?!

I removed the staff from the balance wheel using a vintage K&D staff removal tool  with my Bergeon 15285 (that's the one that comes with a micrometer adjustment so it can be used as a jewel press as well as a traditional staking tool...it's sooooo cool...sorry..  can you tell i love the tools?)

No more digressing..  I measured the damaged staff in all the relevant areas but I have to estimate on some because one of the pivots is missing.

A = Full length  A= 4.80mm  (that's without the one pivot...if you assume that the missing pivot is the same length as the other pivot (I'm sure it's not)  then A = 5.12 mm...(can I assume 5.00mm here?)

F=  Hair spring collet seat  F=  .89mm   (safe to assume .90 here? .. I am sure that my measurement's would at least contain  .01 mm error ?)

G = balance wheel seat  G = 1.23 mm  (1.20mm?)

H  =  roller staff  H =  .59mm  (.60 mm?)

B  = bottom of the wheel to roller pivot   B  = 2.97mm  (3.00 mm?)     here I am estimating  again because this pivot is missing.

So my friends, and I thank you profusely,  can you point me in the right direction as to how to proceed?

Do i buy individual staffs?  or an assortment?   Since I don't know exactly the name of the manufacturer, will that be a fatal hindrance?   Tbh, I'm not even sure what country of origin this movement is.

Thank you!

 

 

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  • 4 weeks later...
caseback WRT Addict

caseback

Posted
Posted

Hi Thomas, you should be able to find the right (or on close to beeing) in a Ronda or DCN balance staff catalogue. Cousins uk have those available as a download.

nevenbekriev Distinguished Member

nevenbekriev

Posted
Posted

This is english watch, I guess from Lankashire Watch Company. I am not sure if suppliers have staffs for it. Yes, making a staff is the normal solution here. You are happy with the tools, but look how the riveted staff has passed thru the balance arm hole. Do You think that the hole has correct diameter after that? I mean, if original staff is used, will You be now able to rivet it easy and keep the balance centered correctly?

Neverenoughwatches Distinguished Member

Neverenoughwatches

Posted
Posted
1 minute ago, nevenbekriev said:

This is english watch, I guess from Lankashire Watch Company. I am not sure if suppliers have staffs for it. Yes, making a staff is the normal solution here. You are happy with the tools, but look how the riveted staff has passed thru the balance arm hole. Do You think that the hole has correct diameter after that? I mean, if original staff is used, will You be now able to rivet it easy and keep the balance centered correctly?

This is something a lot of beginners and amateurs struggle with Nev, being able to remove the staff without distorting the hole of a non steel balance wheel. Having the right tools to do this safely  and effectively is not easy. Even with something useful it takes a lot of practice, i spent two days not so long ago practicing cutting away the balance wheel hub of a staff using a 25mm diamond wheel.  I didnt manage to do it once without catching the underside of the wheel.

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