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Making a New Balance Staff

jdrichard
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jdrichard Distinguished Member

jdrichard

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I am making a new balance staff for an 18S Waltham. I think the balance is friction fit, however, my first cut 1.45mm was a bit too much and the balance fits but is not tight enough. I decided to leave a little lip so I can rivet it on as well (let's see how that goes:).19e641063037bdccd4915a9b3d110fc7.jpg

I then cut the hairspring part at 0.9mm and the pivot at 0.12mm; cut down to 0.2 and then reduced using a stone.340ec79722a14ba5793dcd25aded4cb4.jpg794b88d4633f64a93536885f947df1ee.jpg80cfa1740f9d9242fc38592996abddd7.jpg

I had to move the Steel Rod out as I had worked my way in too far with a failed first cut on the balance part. I then cut the roller table side and angled the largest diameter.cc224b5f9b19d0b548f1af438af261ca.jpg8f83637792b552e627499582f0045006.jpg353a66b0a9a69378452144001703a7b3.jpgb739e131bc6529a6b6c0a4698a2f3f5e.jpg

Tonight I cut the lower pivot.

 

 

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jdrichard Distinguished Member

jdrichard

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jdrichard, I've moved this thread to the appropriate section, please take the time to select when posting.
 

Sorry about that. Started off with the intent of just saying stuff and then got specific :)


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jdrichard Distinguished Member

jdrichard

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Started cutting the bottom half of the stafffec3613fb1100133e6e509c36b76e017.jpgSized it against the original staffc8a4492c730fc047eb29e7b88831d1c5.jpgGraved it down to about 0.2 mm and then filed it down to size with a stone and oilc369a124f40a38fc5b14b4984a5e5766.jpgI then burnished itb938e4b2a0378ff62ed3b0f0ea299ec0.jpgThen i fitted the roller table to make sure the staff was the right size.f1228ce2ea5a7e4252a066f31e7168fd.jpgI then fitted the staf on its own in the movement to make sure the length was right and the 0.12 staff pivots fit into the upper and lower jewel. It was a little long so I mounted the staff in the lathe and tool a little off the top pivot.71f0378de6a5961a141be31dba7ca514.jpgI compared the two staffs2cdc381c778e45725efca60c783038f9.jpgI Then fit on the staff loosely and assembled the unit as a final check prior to staking on the staff.49133bd18092ccb9a57444c144413c4e.jpg0cc8729d462c861f793c94f9a3a856ad.jpgAll done for now. Tomorrow I stake on the staff and roller table and test again.


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jdrichard Distinguished Member

jdrichard

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Finishing the staff and riveting on the balanceccb956c1a1b284fdeae1a36950b31190.jpgUsing the Jacot, trimmed a pivot down and burnished themfc17dc9a5a77c2386c7fcb7fcd784885.jpgLower pivot was still to wide so put it back in the lathe to stone it down to size.5bd036f83b780a3b612387648d684737.jpgAligned the Hairspring and punched it on.c4060ab491d1fd7f9cbfa195aa6b04aa.jpgb7f677328e37ff432c840ab7f8dd891d.jpgIt was complete and completed the install. Watch is currently running down with the new balance. Will completely disassemble and clean and oil and reassemble. DONE:)684a98a8be11c2dbbd8069dbb6f9cd07.jpg


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jdrichard Distinguished Member

jdrichard

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Making a friction fit balance staff on a lathe is very tricky. As I was cutting a staff for a waltham, i took a little too much material off and the staff was not fitting completely snug.a9d69f9bd5de64ab6d13188f29501b25.jpg

So, i decided to leave a little lip so i could river it on.60ac02be4788ca27d6a060025354ec66.jpgd7700e74ead1db77bfff7dec29a34f7a.jpg

 

 

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