Seiko 6319 Barrel Jewel fitting.

[hofnerpres]

Did a mint condition 6139 this week. It had the usual problem of a wobbly mainspring barrel due to wear of the arbor holes. Just started to rub the bridge. It gave me a chance to convert these to jewels using the Vintage Time Australia kit - at less than £30 including postage from upside land it's a bargain. The only machining required is the opening up of the lower base plate hole using a good quality 1.59 mm reamer. Seitz- Bergeon part 30522A - 159 which is around £15 UK. I opened it out first with a 1.55 mm cutting broach then used the reamer in a hand held pin vice being very careful to keep it vertical. Clamp the movement in your holder to keep things steady. The jewelling tool will keep things square as you press it home against a flat stump. Beware the reaming can leave a slight raised lip so clean up with a countersink cutter until all is flat and very clean. Sit the jewel square before you get forceful. Check it's flush. The only mistake I did make was to quote the customer over the phone whilst distracted. Needless to say he's getting a bargain job

 

[RichardHarris123]

I think it's a great solution.  Let's close the hole and then ream it to size, thinning the plates and it will wear quicker in the future. I see it as an improvement but others will see it as not genuine.