Jump to content

Enlarge pocket watch roller hole ?

Chopin

By Chopin
in Watch Repairs Help & Advice

 Share

Recommended Posts

Chopin Super WRT Addict

Chopin

Posted
Posted

I have a pocket watch that required a balance staff replacement. I've bought a NOS original one. The length fits, I even mounted it onto the balance and then onto the movement and everything checked out.

Upon trying to fit the roller I realized that it wouldn't fit. From research they made 2 versions of either balances or balance staffs or I don't know what exactly but the bottom line is that all parts are genuine, it's just that I have the roller or staff from one version and the rest from the other version (the hairspring collet also fits so only the roller hole is the issue).

You can't really find these parts and I don't want to invest anymore so I was wondering if it would be possible to simply enlarge the roller hole.

I don't have a lathe but I have ordered some mini-drills that come in all sorts of useful sizes. I would have to enlarge the hole by about 0.8mm.

It would have been helpful if I could find a really thin file to do this or maybe use some sort of a wire that behaves like a file but I doubt it.

Thoughts ? Suggestions ?

The pocket watch isn't an expensive or special one by the way so that's why I'd like to give it a go rather than invest a lot of money.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
wls1971 Distinguished Member

wls1971

Posted
Posted
6 minutes ago, Chopin said:

Oh this is exactly what I'm looking for, I think.

Are these basically "needles" with a texture similar to that of a file ? I can't find a close-up shot.

No broaches are five sided each side is a cutting face you insert and twist and the faces cut as you do so, they must be used at a perfect 90 degree angle to cut a perfectly centred hole, similar broaches are used in jewelling tools to enlarge jewel holes, the German ones that Cousins sell are cheaper than Bergeon and are very good the Indian ones I would give a wide berth. 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
jdm Distinguished Member

jdm

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, oldhippy said:

Perhaps I should have said watch movement holder. 

Chopin was asking about a way to hold a balance roller. Can't use a mov.t holder for that. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Chopin Super WRT Addict

Chopin

Posted
  • Author
Posted

The roller is very small. These holders have too large gaps to actually hold the roller.

I could use a normal vise (I have a small one) but it's hard to keep a round disk in place with a vise especially since, if at some point the roller moves or jumps out of the vise jaws I might damage it or break the roller jewel itself.

I'll figure something out I guess. Was thinking of making a hole in a cork screw or maybe a piece of wood (this one might be a bit more complicated...) but it still wouldn't really hold the roller in place if I want to drill the hole.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
nickelsilver Distinguished Member

nickelsilver

Posted
Posted

Opening a roller by 0.80mm is a lot, and it looks like a steel roller so going will be tough with a broach. Possible you don’t have the wall thickness to take that out even provided you have a good way to hold the roller and some buttkickin broaches. Best would be to turn down the staff.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
 Share
Go to topic listing


  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • rossjackson01
      Without Our Forum

      By rossjackson01 · Posted

      Never and others. Yes like you I do spend a fair amount of time reading the contents of this forum. I find it better that any other. clear, lucid, no Prima Donas, and most of all an easy access without adverts. All thanks to Mark. God bless you mate. You give so much to many of us. What if? No Mark? Hypothetically. A forum. I did run a forum for a few years. Really enjoyed it, but became so engrossed that it did affect my health. I gave to to others to run. Not been back. It was very successful and rivalled a number of large paying sites. No adverts, no others but me. I did ask and listen to members comments and it worked well.    Costs Having a domain name, £10 annually.  Register the site with a forum company, free. Build the site using the forum company guide lines, free. It looked and ran almost the same a Mark's. All the same facilities. The cost was only £5 per month, but counted visits (views). If I recall, it was that price for 5,000 views. Each extra 5,000 views increased the price by £2 per month. Success was my own personal undoing. From £5 per month initially, it rose to £60 a month and looked like increasing. This was 10 years ago. I could not afford that, and asked it anyone would like to take over and someone did. I would assume that this is the price that Mark is funding for us all. His return is our continued comments on the internet about his course, and the fact that many of the big names on YouTube mention him as their Tutor. Those of us who have done, and are still using, his course, benefit. In comparison to other courses, I can't believe how cheap it is, and the value is exceptional. It is the structure that gives the value. Long may Mark reign. Ross  
    • Dell
      Broken lug

      By Dell · Posted

      Get someone local to tig it ,very easy fix and should only take a few minutes so probably wouldn’t cost much ,or failing that get it very clean and silver solder it. Dell
    • Zedster
      Movement inserted from crytal side

      By Zedster · Posted

      Hi, The winding pin is not split, well that's how it was when I obtained the watch. The movement is front-loaded and here's a picture of where the case screws are fitted. The face picture is before I dismantled it.
    • Neverenoughwatches
      Without Our Forum

      By Neverenoughwatches · Posted

      I dont think mine is. Its an idea to have them all in one place if possible, then a quick screenshot will have them saved. Unless anyone has any other ideas of how to reconnect 
    • RichardHarris123
      Without Our Forum

      By RichardHarris123 · Posted

      My email address is in my profile, feel free all to drop me a quick hello. 
×
×
  • Create New...