Hardest Repair to Date

[jdrichard]

So it started with the purchase of this Hamilton 912.

It had a loose balance and upon examination one of the pivots was broken. So off I went to eBay to order a 3050 balance staff. Three came in the mail.

I started by removing the hairspring from the balance and then removed the roller plate with Impulse Jewel and safe roller.

I then got out my roller remover and punched out the roller and safety roller.

Then I took the staff and balance and fit the balance and staff in my Staking set; flat arms on the balance flat against the Staking tools plate. I then got out my NEW staff remover.

I then made a YouTube on how to use the tool.

After I punched out the old stake I staked in a new one

Did a good job. The next step was to put the double rollers back. That is when I noticed that the roller jewel was loose. I got out my combination tools and shellacked the jewel and tested that it was now in good. I then staked in the rollers and moved on the put the hairspring back on. I did so and noticed that the collet was cracked. I had another old Hamilton movement and started farting around with the two hairsprings. Need to use the older one so I cleaned in and installed in and put the balance back in.

Now the fun started. When I tightened down the balance cock the bottom pivot of the balance staff was too big ( my mistake) and it cracked the lower jewel. So I went into my collection of jewels and found and Illinois lower balance jewel that was the right hole size and also fit the opening. I installed it oiled in and screwed on the cap jewel. Reinstalled the balance and had to take it off again and take off the hairspring and straighten it a bit as it was touching the balance arm. So once I had in all in place I noticed that the balance was not down far enough to allow the upper pivot to extend into the jewel hole. So I took a slice of watch paper and wedged it into the back of the balance. Finally that did it and with a little work in the Banking Pins I was able to get a beat. About 200degree turn is all I could get, but I had no energy left to try and get more. A new crystal is now on order and the watch works fine. What a day.Paper jammed in.Happy

 

 

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[jdrichard]

Here is my YouTube video

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[WatchMaker]

Thank you! I enjoyed that; very informative. Glad you got things fixed.

And a highly amusing last picture! 

[matabog]

That was an adventure!

[jdrichard]

That was an adventure!

One I don't think I want to repeat but no doubt will.

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