Part 7 (1/2)

To be of service to this cla.s.s of workmen chapters XI and XII are devoted to preliminary notes and practice lessons.

The contents of these chapters can be worked out in practice by almost any workman who is capable of holding a position as watchmaker and it is substantially necessary that they be mastered before finished results are to be expected.

CHAPTER XI

PRELIMINARY NOTES AND PRACTICE FOR BEGINNERS

44. _Practical Suggestions._

Experience will eventually prove that most of the variations in positions are caused by apparently insignificant details. The mistake made by the average repairer is generally that of failing to detect these details and to make slight corrections where necessary, as he proceeds with the ordinary cleaning and repairing of the watch.

This oversight often prevents what would otherwise be excellent results in timekeeping and makes it necessary to utilize extra time and labor in the effort to obtain more consistent timekeeping.

45. _The First Point of Consideration in Learning to Adjust._

The first consideration in position adjusting should be directed toward equalizing the time in the two horizontal positions. This equalization should be accomplished entirely by attention to details that can be plainly seen before arriving at the point of actual timing of the watch. The princ.i.p.al requirement for equal time between dial up and dial down is equal arc of motion of the balance in each of the two positions, and the adjuster should become capable of obtaining this equal arc of motion before attempting to obtain close rating in the other positions.

46. _Causes of Variation Between Dial Up and Dial Down._

Variations between dial up and dial down may be due to one or more of the following causes which have been arranged in two groups, the first group consisting of the most frequent and common causes, while the second group consists of causes equally detrimental but less common.

Group No. 1

1. Dirt or thick oil in one or both balance jewels.

2. Burred or marred balance pivots.

3. End of one balance pivot flat or rough and opposite pivot polished.

4. Ends of both balance pivots polished but not same form.

5. Balance pivot bent.

6. Hairspring rubbing balance arm or stud.

7. Hairspring concave or convex in form instead of perfectly level.

8. Over coil rubbing under balance c.o.c.k.

9. Over coil rubbing center wheel. (Some watches).

Group No. 2

10. Balance pivots fitted too close in jewels.

11. One pivot having excessive side shake and the opposite close fitting.

12. Escape or pallet pivots bent or damaged.

13. Balance end stone pitted or badly out of flat.

14. Over coil rubbing outside coil, at point where it curves over spring.

15. Balance arm or screw touching pallet bridge.