Watchrepair. Where do I find help?

[randy]

Hey Dan.
Always glad to help.

Some folks use baby food or other small jars in their ultrasonic cleaners for watch parts.

You could also just put some in a bowl..and then carefully clean the backplate /balance assy. by hand.

Clock cleaner may clean well enough initially, but you would want to make sure that no residue is left on the hairspring, so I would rinse it using lighter fluid, or One-Dip ( preferred ). Then carefully dry it with a small blower.

You can use toothpicks..but shave them into fine points with a sharp knife. When I didn’t have pegwood, I used the cocktail ( round -hardwood ) picks as they didn’t leave debris behind.

Have fun !

RANDY

[disciple_dan]

Hello, everybody. I hope you are well.
So, I’m getting ready to put my Scotty in the US. The hairspring is still attached to the balance wheel and plate.
So you say I put the unit in a glass of suitable size with cleaning fluid and then put the glass in the US with a fluid of any sort in it. Do I need to secure the balance wheel somehow to prevent it from moving too much?
I have some onedip that I’ll use on the hairspring before I put it all back together.
Does that sound like a good plan?

[randy]

Dan,
I would just use the One Dip in a small bowl and gently agitate it by hand. You could also use a soft art brush to softly remove surface dirt, etc.
You won’t need to let it soak much at all. The One Dip is pretty strong.

I would also try to keep from letting the HS “hang” very long as you are cleaning it. Lots of risk with older- tired hairsprings if they get stretched too far.

I would be careful not to do anything that could distort that spring,.so for me, I would not want to put it into an Ultrasonic bath.

But that’s just me !!!!

Good luck..let us know how it’s going ….

Randy

[disciple_dan]

Randy, I did it! My first watch was a success. I just got it back together about 45 min. ago. When I got it, it wasn’t running and it wouldn’t wind. It’s running now and It does wind but still needs work. Actually I had forgotten about the winding issue. I didn’t see anything when I had it apart that caused me to remember. I did get it to wind though.
It runs fast of course as it really needed a new mainspring. I ended up removing the hairspring and balance from the plate to clean it and it was very difficult to get back in. I think I may have twisted it just a little bit right before it goes through the regulator but I think the main problem is that it’s a 65-year-old watch with a worn-out spring.
Anyway, it was a great experience and it dispelled many of the fears I had.
You have helped me tremendously also, Randy. Your comments and advice gave me the confidence to move forward and in the right direction. Thanks again, Have a great weekend, Danny

[randy]

Hey Dan…that’s great !!!!

Sorry for the late reply..I’ve been of doing other projects lately.

Keep going..you will only get better at this !!

Best regards….

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