Recent content by Douglas Davies

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    Timing machine showing strange results

    Yes, that is it. 5.5 msec would equal 50 pixels (given .111 msec per pixel determined by comparing the slope of the line to the daily rate). That is exactly (or almost exactly, as near as I can tell) the number of pixels in the part of the screen that displays the time track. Thus at 5.5...
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    Timing machine showing strange results

    Hmm. Not sure I understand how that works or what good it would do. Maybe the spread is so large that one line would be off the screen, so it wraps it, just as it does as the track normally starts again at the top when the line goes off the bottom of the scale (or vice versa). Possible the...
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    Timing machine showing strange results

    I have one of the inexpensive timing machines, and it recently seems to show very strange results for the beat error on one of my watches. I have worked out that 1 pixel of separation between the two lines equals about 0.11 seconds. One picture shows a Hamilton, with the two lines about 18...
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    Bent guard pin

    Just to close the loop on this, after careful measurement, it appeared that both the guard pin and the horns were off center. I very slightly bent the pallet between the banking pins and the horns, using the staking method suggested by Fried. A very light tap bent the pallets enough (actually...
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    Bent guard pin

    Thanks for replies. Yes, the dart is riveted on. I think if I make a clamp to support the fork, I can probably twist the dart a bit without breaking the fork. I will try to set it up in a way that I can use the cross slide to nudge it a bit. Yes, the amount of excess shellac on the pallet...
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    Bent guard pin

    The guard pin on these old Rolex 700 pallets are off center, causing drag on one side of the balance swing and excessive clearance on the other side. Any advice on the best way to straighten and the probability of being able to do so? These are hard to come by, and usually in bad shape, being...
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    Sweep seconds pinion repair

    The product I have used is Permatex Threadlocker Red. It works fine, but you have to give it the full 24 hours. I can't say if other products might be better.
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    Sweep seconds pinion repair

    I think this one looks like a separate part, but could be just a deep undercut on the gear (maybe to control oil for the friction spring?) that makes it appear to be a separate part. In any case, it shouldn't be too difficult to repivot in the usual manner. Just a very long pivot. My usual...
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    autowinder woes

    Yes, used 8217 on the barrel. Probably could have used a new barrel, but they are not available except used ones on eBay that won't necessarily be any better than what I have.
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    Sweep seconds pinion repair

    I am trying to salvage a sweep seconds pinion I recovered from a junk movement (Rolex 710, 10-1/2'''). The arbor is broken, and appears to be a separate piece from the gear. Does anyone have any experience with these or know how the arbor is attached? Press fit? Riveted? Threaded? I guess a...
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    autowinder woes

    I put a little more lube on the gear pictured, as well as the corresponding teeth on the ratchet wheel, and then tried to be a bit more active. Watch seems like it will keep running indefinitely with those modest changes. Still doesn't fully wind. Afternoon checks on the amplitude over a...
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    autowinder woes

    Thanks for the reply. I am not sure I understand all of your comments. I have tested the watch essentially as a manual winder. I did 10 twenty-four hour tests, starting each one with a full wind. Tested in 5 positions, similar to COSC test. Results: average daily rate gain 3.35 sec, mean...
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    autowinder woes

    I normally work only on my own watches, and I prefer manual winding vintage watches, so I have almost no experience with autowinders. A friend asked me to "just clean up" his Rolex Oyster Perpetual Cal A 296/645 from 1953. After cleaning (and a new mainspring), it runs fairly strongly...
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    Hair spring issues

    I have this same timing machine and have found that if the watch is too far out of regulation, it can show half or double the actual amplitude. Something in the logic.
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    Should I replace this mainspring

    Thanks, all. This is an alloy spring, and I will stick with it.
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