Reply To: Boxwood

[clam71]

Thanks, Bob, for the reply. The tip that boxwood lacks resins explains why it is used.
I just took a size 18 watch apart and cleaned the parts with acetone in my cheap ebay
ultrasonic cleaner. Results less than optimal. Still needed to brush them with a very fine
camel hair artist’s paint brush. I bought a 20X stereo microscope. VERY happy with it !
Indespensible ! There was still goop and bits of rust on the gears. Still gunk in the pivot
holes. I have it back together now and am watching it run. The balance swings effortlessly now !
This movement is 115 years old ! # 7510586. It took HOURS to manipulate the gears to fit
back into the pivot holes in the top plate !!!! Have any tips about that ? Or is it just part of
the experience ? Gotta get a case for it now. The dial is perfect !
Got it for 99 cents on ebay ($15 shipping). More tinkering needed maybe to calibrate.

Got new wheels, a truck.

Thanks for everything you’ve done to help novices like me !
Tip for polishing old crystals: Bought cerium powder. Patiens and lots of rubbing !

Oh, a warning about cheap ultra sonic cleaners.. Mine has a stainless steel pan but otherwise is
made out of plastic. Rubbing alcohol has partially deformed the lid. Acetone melts plastic FAST.
These aren’t meant for serious cleaning agents ! But I knew this and accepted the risks.
Please, novices out there, post your successes and failures ! Be well, all ….