Esape wheel moves to much

[Andy96]

Hi everyone,

I am really new to this hobby, yesterday I managed to disassemble and reassemble my first movement, a Seagul S36.

Today I tried again but I'm stuck at the beginning, as my escape wheel continues moving too much on its pivots. The pivots does not look broken to me, I would love to post a photo/video but I can't find the function in this post.

I don't know whether I should try harder (I will) or I need a repair part.

 

Any help would be really appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

Andrea

[Andy96]

I managed to post a photo and creating a GIF. It looks like the pivot is short and can't properly stay in place under the bridge.

Any suggestion?

Thank you

Andrea

[clockboy]

The pivot is broken off.. You need a replacement or if you have the correct tools re pivot the wheel. 

[Neverenoughwatches]

The top pivot is broken Andrea. What is the tool that you are using in your video Andrea ?  What parts are delicate 

[Andy96]

Thank you for your quick assistance!

I am really curious about how you understand that the pivot is broken. It should be longer on one side? may the bridge be compromised too?

Where should I find the spare part? Is the escaping wheel a standard wheel (I immagine not)?

 

Again, thank you

[AndyGSi]

The pivot at the bottom of your photo (top pivot on the movement) should look the same as the other end.

Is it a Seagull ST36 or some other Chinese copy?

[Andy96]

1 minute ago, Neverenoughwatches said:

The top pivot is broken Andrea. What is the tool that you are using in your video Andrea ?  What parts are delicate 

Got it, I will find a spare part!

Those are my tweezers. I bought a really cheap set on Amazon, and they actually feel so (cheap).. I am willing to spend more money on my equipment once I understand this hobby is really the one I love. What do you think, should I upgrade it sooner?
 

[Andy96]

1 minute ago, AndyGSi said:

The pivot at the bottom of your photo (top pivot on the movement) should look the same as the other end.

Is it a Seagull ST36 or some other Chinese copy?

It might be a copy, this is the Amazon link of the movement I bought https://amzn.eu/d/axOGzF5

 

[fellerts]

You see that little nub (pivot) on the bottom of your escape wheel? There should be a corresponding one on the other side. If you look closely at the jewels in your mainplate and on the escape wheel cock, you'll see they have tiny holes in them. The pivots go into those holes. 

Try to figure out why your pivot broke so you can learn what went wrong. Everyone breaks a pivot from time to time! Luckily, as your skills improve, it becomes more and more unlikely.

I suggest you take a look at this: https://watchrepairtutorials.com/how-to-install-a-train-bridge-without-breaking-the-pivots/ Pay close attention to the video at 5:29 seconds where you can see the top pivot that you're missing.

[tomh207]

2 minutes ago, Andy96 said:

Got it, I will find a spare part!

Those are my tweezers. I bought a really cheap set on Amazon, and they actually feel so (cheap).. I am willing to spend more money on my equipment once I understand this hobby is really the one I love. What do you think, should I upgrade it sooner?
 

Tweezers are probably the most important tool you will have. It’s the first one I would recommend to upgrade followed by screwdrivers.

 

Tom

[fellerts]

5 minutes ago, tomh207 said:

Tweezers are probably the most important tool you will have. It’s the first one I would recommend to upgrade followed by screwdrivers.

Agree! But which upgrade path should one take? I splurged on expensive dumont dumoxel tweezers early on and used those for a long time. Then I got a set of brass tweezers and realized I vastly prefer those for most tasks.

@Andy96 be prepared for ridiculously deep rabbit holes. Don't even ask about lubrication

Edited 1 hour ago by fellerts
clarification

[Andy96]

2 minutes ago, fellerts said:

You see that little nub (pivot) on the bottom of your escape wheel? There should be a corresponding one on the other side. If you look closely at the jewels in your mainplate and on the escape wheel cock, you'll see they have tiny holes in them. The pivots go into those holes. 

Try to figure out why your pivot broke so you can learn what went wrong. Everyone breaks a pivot from time to time! Luckily, as your skills improve, it becomes more and more unlikely.

I suggest you take a look at this: https://watchrepairtutorials.com/how-to-install-a-train-bridge-without-breaking-the-pivots/ Pay close attention to the video at 5:29 seconds where you can see the top pivot that you're missing.

I see, that's interesting! To be honest with myself, I remember the moment I heard a wrong noise... 
I will buy a replacement, look at more videos, and then try again 

[Andy96]

4 minutes ago, fellerts said:

Agree! But which upgrade path should one take? I splurged on expensive dumont dumoxel tweezers early on and used those for a long time. Then I got a set of brass tweezers and realized I vastly prefer those.

@Andy96 be prepared for ridiculously deep rabbit holes. Don't even ask about lubrication

I am willing to upgrade step by step  
I will buy good tweezers right now! Are you suggesting Dumont - Dumoxel N°1 or N°2?

[HectorLooi]

1Pcs Movement Balance Wheel Bridge Pallet Fork Repair Parts 6497 Accessories for ST36 ST3600 Movement
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mrmWsRV

I'm not sure if a ST3600 is the same as a ST36. 

[AndyGSi]

I think all you can do is get an Escape Wheel for an ST36 and see how it compares when you get it.

[fellerts]

4 minutes ago, Andy96 said:

Are you suggesting Dumont - Dumoxel N°1 or N°2?

You're going to get a lot of different answers to this. Personally, I got dumoxel no. 2 (great for most work) and dumoxel no. 4 (very pointy, rarely used but invaluable for hairspring manipulation and picking up very difficult stuff). If taken care of properly, they should last you a lifetime. It's all personal preference, no wrong answers, though quality matters a lot.

[Andy96]

4 minutes ago, fellerts said:

You're going to get a lot of different answers to this. Personally, I got dumoxel no. 2 (great for most work) and dumoxel no. 4 (very pointy, rarely used but invaluable for hairspring manipulation and picking up very difficult stuff). If taken care of properly, they should last you a lifetime. It's all personal preference, no wrong answers, though quality matters a lot.

Great, thank you. I just need to understand the basics and I will mature my own opinions after a while.

[Andy96]

9 minutes ago, AndyGSi said:

I think all you can do is get an Escape Wheel for an ST36 and see how it compares when you get it.

Ordered! it will take one or two weeks to arrive  In the meantime I study and watch more videos!

[mikepilk]

1 hour ago, tomh207 said:

Tweezers are probably the most important tool you will have. It’s the first one I would recommend to upgrade followed by screwdrivers.

Exactly. I use Dumont #2 (it's personal preference between #1 and #2). Not cheap, but they are your principal tool, and will last you a lifetime.

You don't need to start with expensive Bergeon/Horotec screwdrivers. I bought a cheaper A*F set and as I needed new blades, bought better quality - e.g. Cousins Swiss blades £3.45 for a pack of ten.

[Neverenoughwatches]

1 hour ago, tomh207 said:

Tweezers are probably the most important tool you will have. It’s the first one I would recommend to upgrade followed by screwdrivers.

 

Tom

 Think I'll change gender, I might get more help, what do you think Tom ?

Edited 15 minutes ago by Neverenoughwatches