Removing Balance Cap Jewel On Certain Watches.

[BeyondWorld]

Hi, so I've noticed that there are 3 types of balance cap jewels for oiling the endstones..

 

Picture included of the 3 types.

 

The first one is the most easiest to open, and the second is also fairly straight forward as well.

 

However does anyone know if the third one is able to be removed?

 

It has baffled me and I'm not even sure if it's meant to be removed, so was wondering if anyone else any experience with this type?

 

 

[BeyondWorld]

Okay, I figured it out, you have to completely remove the balance with hairspring and balance wheel and the screws are on the under side.

[rogart63]

The number 2 and 3 have no antishock device. They are mounted directly to the balance cook. I avoid working with the last balance cap jewel by not working on old watches. 

[Folkvisor]

I have nightmares about cap jewels and Novodiac springs.

 

Dave

[matabog]

:) Novodiac? Try a diafix from Seiko!

Edited January 27, 2016 by matabog

[dadistic]

:) Novodiac? Try a diafix from Seiko!

I have no problem removing them.

 

If I ever find them once they are out, they are a bear to get back in place. If I magnify enough to see them, they make all my tools look ginormous.

[Folkvisor]

Yeah, they're easy to get out. Putting them back in is another matter.

 

Their inventor should have stayed in bed the day he dreamt them up. ;-)

[clockboy]

The second & third style unless they are really gummed up I do not remove the jewels. I clean in my L&R watch cleaning machine after giving them a really good soak in one dip. Then I use an auto oiler to lube the jewels. 

[dadistic]

The second & third style unless they are really gummed up I do not remove the jewels. I clean in my L&R watch cleaning machine after giving them a really good soak in one dip. Then I use an auto oiler to lube the jewels. 

Cheater :-)

[BeyondWorld]

The second & third style unless they are really gummed up I do not remove the jewels. I clean in my L&R watch cleaning machine after giving them a really good soak in one dip. Then I use an auto oiler to lube the jewels. 

 

Oh that's interesting, that would avoid any risk to the hairspring.

 

What one dip solution do you use?

[bobm12]

There is only one One-Dip:

 

 

Cheers,

 

Bob

[Geo]

There is only one One-Dip

Oh no there's not!

[syfre]

The third is easy, you have two screws under the balance cock, you need to disassemble the cock from the balance to access the screws.

 

For the second (jewel in setting with cap jewel, your picture show a chaton setting but in general the cap jewel is flat and no so easy to remove)  its depend how easily the cap jewel comes once you have remove the screws. My best option if the cap jewel don't come is to used a stacking set and push the jewels from the back. You have to be careful when selecting the punch and used very light force; the punch must push the setting, not the jewel, use a flat or concave punch, no hammer just tap with your finger or a the back of your tweezers. This is the same process if you need to change a broken balance jewel in setting.

 

An other quick and dirty but safe option is to oil from the jewel hole using an automatic oiler, the oil must not spread on the jewel face.

[Folkvisor]

My watchmaker friend told me that I need to remove and replace the spring until it becomes second nature. Sigh...

[Folkvisor]

How do you remove Rodico from a cap jewel and Novodiac spring after they are replaced? I was told to use it to put the parts in place but now I have it where I don't want it.

Thank you for your help.

Dave

[rogart63]

How do you remove Rodico from a cap jewel and Novodiac spring after they are replaced? I was told to use it to put the parts in place but now I have it where I don't want it.

Thank you for your help.

Dave

Been there done that. I think you have to remove it again and clean with some solvent. I think naptha works. Sometimes Rodico isn't the best to use? Maybe some clean Rodico could remove it? You will have to try? 

[rogart63]

:) Novodiac? Try a diafix from Seiko!

Where to find a Diafix tool ? Since working a lot of Seiko lately it would be nice to have a tool for removing this springs? 

[matabog]

I haven't heard of any... I don't think there is one. I use a pair of tweezers and a pin made from a broken oiler sharpened to 0.2mm like in the video below (thanks again perplxr for the tip :) )... and lots of prayers, sweaty palms and searching the net for movement donors :))

 

 

p.s. the video doesn't present a diafix but only the pin ;)

Edited February 1, 2016 by matabog

[Folkvisor]

Hi

 

Thank you for the ideas. I will give both methods a try; the one where I leave it in will be my first go round.

 

Dave

[BeyondWorld]

Videos like that make it look so easy when it's all magnified. xD

[Folkvisor]

Well, the Rodico jammed into the cap jewel assembly did a good job of putting the brakes on the balance wheel.

 

I guess there's nothing for it but to take it out and clean everything. O Joy O Bliss...

 

Dave

[matabog]

I stand by the rodico method. I take the endstone with the rodico and oil it under 10x, put it over the other jewel and use a tweezer to make it sit in its place while pulling off the rodico. The risk of the endstone flying is almoast 0.

[Folkvisor]

The word 'almost' bothers me. ;-)

[Folkvisor]

I think it was the Rodico that stuck to the Novodiac spring that was the problem. The jewel itself handled quite well.

[BeyondWorld]

Try drilling a hole into pegwood or a cocktail stick and fill it with rodico, 

 

It should give you a bit more control and less mess.