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Mike Miller
11-02-2002, 05:51 PM
I have aquired a 21J Illinois Bunn Special that is in fine shape except for a rusted hairspring. Does anyone know about the relative availability of studded and colleted (perferably) hairsprings for this Illinois? I have seen them for some Hamiltons and Walthams, but don't recall seeing them for Illinois. Sources and experiences from y'all would be most appreciated

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Mike Miller

NAWCC Member #154831
Mike Miller
11-02-2002, 05:51 PM
I have aquired a 21J Illinois Bunn Special that is in fine shape except for a rusted hairspring. Does anyone know about the relative availability of studded and colleted (perferably) hairsprings for this Illinois? I have seen them for some Hamiltons and Walthams, but don't recall seeing them for Illinois. Sources and experiences from y'all would be most appreciated

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Mike Miller

NAWCC Member #154831
pocwatjim
11-03-2002, 12:43 AM
Mike,
You can order the hairspring from S. LaRose, in Greensboro, NC. It is about $20 and much easier than trying to viberate one that is "close"or using a scrap one. The ones I ordered had to have the stud put on but are working fine.

Jim Haney


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Mike Miller
11-05-2002, 01:55 PM
Jim,

Thanks for the reply. The hairspring is on order. LaRose sells them colletted and studded, but the stud is an Illinois Ball model so I will have to do a switch. I am familiar with the studding technique as described in Fried and de Carle, but haven't tried it myself. Any good pointers out there?



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Mike Miller

NAWCC Member #154831
Mike Miller
11-10-2002, 01:13 PM
An update, and request for advice...

Received the replacement hairspring and replaced the stud without any problem. Once in the watch though, it ran very fast, gaining close to two hours in 24. Explored all of the usual culprits (oil, magnetism, contact, etc). Good rotation, coiling, etc. Just running way to fast. I removed the balance and vibrated the spring against a sweep second hand. Way to many beats per minute.

My only guess is that this spring is to strong for the weight of my balance. Has anyone else had a problem ordering hairsprings that are supposed to be matched with a watch? Would this tend to indicate that someone in the past likely altered the balance weight to compensate for a rusted and weakend hairspring? It is the original balance for the watch (i checked the serial nos).

I put the old (rusty) hairspring back in and the watch runs, but somewhat slowly. Any ideas for solutions out there?



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Mike Miller

NAWCC Member #154831
Kent
11-10-2002, 01:39 PM
Gee ...

... I had always heard that Ball balances were heavier. Maybe there's truth in the story.

Kent
GandalfPC
11-10-2002, 02:52 PM
I would email Larose and see if they could do a better job selecting a hairspring. It may be that the spring is too strong, or perhaps they should have left another coil or two on it...
Mike Miller
11-10-2002, 03:36 PM
Kent,

Hadn't heard the rumor about Balls having heavier balances, but that would explain why a spring for an Illinois Ball would be so quick in an Illinois Bunn Special. Anybody else know more?

GandalfPC,

I've emailed S. LaRose to see if they have any suggestions for a weaker spring. I've always wanted to toy with making my own overcoil, guess I could get some blank hairspring stock and give it a go.



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Mike Miller

NAWCC Member #154831
GandalfPC
11-10-2002, 03:38 PM
For your first whack at hairspringing (I am in the middle of this grand persuit myself) I would recommend taking it easy on yourself and getting them colleted, so you only have to vibrate, overcoil, and stud...