Fire Damaged Movement

[MStorms2672]

Does anyone know if a fire damaged automatic movement can be restored to working condition? Or is it just better as a parts donor?

Thanks,

Mike

[frenchie]

If it's just smoke damage and the smoke didn't cause any major oxidation, I don't see why not.

If it was actually in the flames, heat becomes a factor. The shellac could have melted (balance roller and pallet fork will need to be fixed), jewels could have cracked, parts could have wrapped from the heat...  Also, if the fire was put out with water or some other chemical, rust and oxidation could be an issue.

What does the balance look like?

Clean it up and see what happens... If it were me, I'd go for the challenge  

Or you can send it to me a charitable donation

[Cad101]

It looks like it endured some kind of heat as the stainless parts have blued. I would clean all parts check the jewels they might have fractured as frenchie said you may have lost your shellac different metals expand at different rates with heat but if all looks good it may still run. You cant lose anything by cleaning even if it wont run you can still use it for parts.

[MStorms2672]

French is & Cad101,

Thank you! I didn't think about the jewels and the balance does look good. I will see what I can do and report back. It may be a while though. 

Mike

[ramrod]

i'd tackle it. you might have a nice runner when you're done.

does the escape wheel turn?

[anilv]

I would imagine the hairspring would not survive the heat.

Anil