Setting end stud

[jdm]

I have damaged one new hairspring doing it the wrong way. Manual says to use "sturdy tweezers", which exact type would you use? Something that grabs on the long sides of the stud, so that one prong would actually fit in the arm slot? Straight or curved ends?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 11, 2016 by jdm

[bobm12]

mmm, good question, for me sturdy tweezers are either dumoxel or dumostar (or original Dumont but can get magnetized) #3...maybe #4. If it needs something more "sturdy" a #2 would do (they also come in wide tips, good for heavy parts like bridges, etc). Just depends on the size -- and how tough -- you are trying to grab. The higher the number the more delicate (thinner) the tweezer...but you can't afford to use "mickey mouse" tweezers and risk damaging the hairspring...

I usually work with a #5 but in those occasions I might go to #4 or stronger, depending...I use dumostar. I think the bend on the tips is mostly a preference rather than a requirement. You can bend a #3 by holding it at an angle against the bench and pushing sideways (hard to describe). Some people do that...I don't.

Cheers,

Bob 

[jdm]

The ETACHRON end stud slot is about 0.5mm, so No. 3 fits. Dumont also makes a No.1 and No. AA, fine strong tips. But perhaps the best way to push it in is not by grabbing but pressing frontally with pegwood. I'll train on spare movement.

[bobm12]

I think the #3 will work fine -- better than pegwood -- since you probably want more control and to grab onto the other side with one of the tips while pushing with the other if that works better (a motion as if closing the tweezers). Otherwise, it requires more control when pushing with both tips closed (to give more strength to the tweezers?) as some people do...in that case, the pegwood might work once the stud is in position. Hopefully you won't have to go all the way to #1 or #AA...How about a polystyrene stick rather than pegwood if you are going that way?