Jump to content

3D printed Hairspring Holder

Tmuir

By Tmuir
in Tools & Equipment

 Share

Recommended Posts

Tmuir Distinguished Member

Tmuir

Posted
Posted

Over the last 2 weeks at my watch and clock repair class we have been learning how to manipulate hairsprings.

We were shown that if you sit the hairspring on a sheet of glass and have it raised up by a 1 or 2cm over white paper the shadows of the hairsping are out of your way making it easier to see what you are doing.

After the first night of playing with hairsprings I went home and designed myself a holder based around some 50mm spare torch glass I had lying around.

I also added cross hairs to make it easier to work out where to hold the spring when adjusting it.

This is my end result.

Should anyone have a 3D printer and want to make one themselves I've uploaded it to Thingaverse. The glass I used was 50mm diameter and 1.5mm thick, but it should also work with 2mm thick glass. The parts are made to friction fitted so you don't need to glue it so it can be taken apart if needed to clean the glass.

Bottom photo shows a clock hairspring I had fixed and I'm in the process of attempting to make it a breguet overcoil, for no other reason that practice

Thingaverse Link to STL files

printed1.jpg.2012e2e90912a628d7b616f0b8116294.jpg

printed2.jpg.b8b608f38844743eaa4b1dc9718d099a.jpg

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites
praezis Super WRT Addict

praezis

Posted
Posted

Why use the simple way when you can have it complicated?:)

For the same purpose I use the top of a 10ct aluminium box (there are plastic ones, too) with glass window. In the side wall I cut a light window.

spiralenglas0i.JPG.9dcdb598f0def777a52643e4edf3225b.JPGspiralenglas2i.jpg.7f979b8e139e3de92f7b314ed6bb3ab2.jpg

Frank

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Tmuir Distinguished Member

Tmuir

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Only simple when you have it available. :-)

Besides it gave me an excuse to use my 3D printer which I hadn't used for a while and I've been wanting to make something for use in my watch repair course for some time, but until this I couldn't think of anything to print that I thought would be of suitable quality

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
 Share
Go to topic listing


  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • Neverenoughwatches
      Part swapper to part maker

      By Neverenoughwatches · Posted

      Thanks Rich, its really not that difficult to make them, simple ones anyway. Cousins didn't have the part though i could find it on ebay at 6.50. I figure i earned about £1.50/ hr . It paid for the diamond files i bought.
    • mikepilk
      How to remove shock settings from Smiths 512 movement

      By mikepilk · Posted

      If you look at this thread, you can see I had exactly the same problems with balance springs with 2 prongs on a Smiths 627. The slots in the chaton were not big enough to get the ends of the spring out. I had to bend them to get them out and back in. Not ideal. I don't fancy having to do it again as they could easily break, and where would you find replacements? I didn't come across the 3 prong type.     
    • mikepilk
      Breguet Exhibition at London Science Museum

      By mikepilk · Posted

      I visited the Breguet Exhibition today. https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/about-us/press-office/rare-timepieces-unveiled-new-display-science-museum The Science Museum now holds the collection of "The Worshipful Company of Clockmakers" - "The collection includes more than 600 watches, 90 clocks, 30 marine chronometers and a number of fine sundials and examples of hand engraving, mapping the history of innovation in watch and clock making in London from 1600 to the present day." It's well worth a visit. They have some amazing pieces by the likes of Harrison, Breguet, Tompion etc . I've visited twice before but decided to go and see the Breguet Exhibition. Maybe I was expecting too much, as on reflection, "More than 20 extraordinary timepieces designed by inventor and watchmaker Abraham-Louis Breguet " isn't going to take up that much space. In reality, it's just one cabinet. But, Oh those watches, stunning 🤩 , e.g. (No 1297 was made for George III and is valued about £1m)   I tried a couple of pics, but with subdued lighting and taking through glass, they aren't good. I like thin hands on a watch - how about these (I think this is a split second chrono)   And this one, with all it's complications, is only 10mm thick !   What I found very interesting were a few very old machines for making watch parts, like this 17th Century gear cutter. The disc below has concentric rings with holes in, so that is can be set to cut varying teeth numbers.       
    • RobS
      How to remove shock settings from Smiths 512 movement

      By RobS · Posted

      Firstly sorry for poor image quality I only have an iPhone for photos.    Im working on a 512 movement and I’ve had some trouble with the “jewels”. I’ve got the metal one out, but when I tried to put it back the three sides of the spring seem to need pressing all at once to fit it as there are three “holes”. I get two corners in but as I go for the third the first two pop out! Constantly I’ve lost the spring. I’ve done the similar ones on seiko movements without trouble. Assuming I find it/a replacement, what am I missing!   on the other side with the only ruby in the movement is a setting with no “gap”at all. How do I get the spring out, and of course get it back in!    What am I missing!    thanks in advance.    Rob
    • Geotex
      Roland Ranfft RIP

      By Geotex · Posted

      Links like that are the reason I routinely donate to the Internet Archive - they are the last safe house for a tremendous amount of useful info that is otherwise lost.
×
×
  • Create New...