Pallet repair

[StuartBaker104]

I have three unserviceable pallet forks for a Pierce 134 and can't track down a replacement at a reasonable price. One has a broken Jewel and two have broken staffs (can't find a replacement staff either although Jules Borel lists lots of movements with the same staff).

I have a staking set and jewelling press, but not a pallet stone adjuster.

Has anyone here ever moved a staff from one pallet to another, or do I need to make some tools to move a stone (or splash out on some new stones)

S

[szbalogh]

I would move the jewels from the broken staff to the healthy one. Theoretically the stones should be the same so you need to adjust only the depth. As it sounds there is nothing to lose

[StuartBaker104]

Thanks, I have some shellac and spirit lamp on order. Sure I can make up a brass plate to hold the pallets. Won't get a chance to play for a few weeks now though 

[StuartBaker104]

Ok, so I got my spirit lamp, fuel, shellac and I also picked up a used pallet and roller jewel setting tool.

I know many different types of these have been made, but this is the only type I have seen for sale recently.

Has anyone here used this type? When I try to hold the pallet staff, the jaws slide down and only hold the pivot, leaving the jewels sitting above the jaws.

Am I missing something about how to use this?

Thanks

S

[StuartBaker104]

Ok, so I gave up with the tool I bought and made one of my own... but as I tried to remove the stone, the end of it crumbled in my tweezers.

Interesting thing is that I now have 4 pallet forks for this movement and all of them have damage to the same stone. Good news is that whilst no-one has one for sale at a reasonable price, I discovered that they are the same as another Pierce movement which do appear to be available.

This means I can amass enough parts to build 2 or 3 of these watches. All I need now is some more time to work on them! Watch this space for the next exciting installment in 3 months time...