Loose roller table

[dnhb]

In trying to re-install a balance assembly in a small pocket watch I found that the roller table was rotating on its arbour. I have tried pressing it using an appropriate stake but to no avail. Under magnification I think I can see shellac around the area where it sits on the boss of the balance wheel (I can't get a clear enough picture to show this). Is this in fact how such tables are secured or are they just a friction fit? I'd be grateful for advice.

[Nucejoe]

I be concerned if this roller table belongs ! 

 Timegrapher will ask,  where did you get this roller table or balance staff from?  

Regs

[JohnR725]

The roller table is supposed to be held on by friction. If there is shellac under the roller table it might indicate that an improper repair had occurred prior to this as it would not be held in place with shellac. Sometimes overenthusiastic people re-shellacking the roller jewel will get shellac where it's not supposed to be.

Then the picture of your roller it looks kind of damage? It doesn't quite look right it looks like somebody held with a pair of pliers or something?

Then your balance wheel has limited quantity of screws? Not necessarily a problem but an indication of perhaps with the other things a prior bad repair perhaps as a guess.

 

[caseback]

The problem/challenge with these things is that you don't know what brilliant solutions previous watch-tinkerers have come up with. Are all parts even "original"? Did the watch run ok (-ish) when you got it?

One possibility is that a replacement staff has been fitted and turned out to be a loose fit. 

Some of this has been discussed in the following thread:

 

Edited yesterday at 06:14 AM by caseback

[mikepilk]

7 hours ago, JohnR725 said:

Then your balance wheel has limited quantity of screws?

This suggests that the hairspring may have been changed.  It certainly needs some straightening.

It may just be the lighting, but it looks like the pivot is out of shape.

[dnhb]

7 hours ago, Nucejoe said:

I be concerned if this roller table belongs ! 

 Timegrapher will ask,  where did you get this roller table or balance staff from?  

Regs

It's from a 1" diameter pocket watch the dial of which says "West End Watch Co."; "Queen Anne"; "Bombay Calcutta". A local Charity shop has asked me to put it into saleable condition....

[Nucejoe]

 Unlikely to run happy, you will see  low amplitude, hindered oscilation, and awful timegrapher display.

 Cheaper to replace this balance complete with a new one.

Regs

 

 

[dnhb]

12 hours ago, Nucejoe said:

 Cheaper to replace this balance complete with a new one.

I can't see how that would be cheaper as I help my local charity shops on a pro bono basis. But of more interest to me would be to understand how to work out the specification of a replacement balance given that the chance of being able to order the part from the company or OEM must be effectively zero.....

[AndyGSi]

32 minutes ago, dnhb said:

I can't see how that would be cheaper as I help my local charity shops on a pro bono basis. But of more interest to me would be to understand how to work out the specification of a replacement balance given that the chance of being able to order the part from the company or OEM must be effectively zero.....

It all depends on the movement but if you've got to get a new arbor then you'll need to know that anyway.

[Nucejoe]

11 hours ago, dnhb said:

 interest to me would be to understand how to work out the specification of a replacement balance.

 You know, building a complete balance complete out of all new parts takes more work than just assembly .

 Most west end watches were powered by FHF movements, some by AS and other movement makes as well , some pieces of the  Secundus collection even came  with longines movements.

 ----- In case you do not know this movement's caliber No, put up some pix in IDENTIFY THIS MOVEMENT ----  . subforum,  one pic of the keyless would do. 

 Material houses such as cousins.uk are likely to carry the parts you need. 

 Providing serviced properly and a simple restoration this watch is likely to fetch $250 upwards on ebay.

 No shortage of help and advice on WRT and  by the end of this thread we enjoy seeing your watch run happy. 

Regs