1680 Posted February 8, 2013 Report Share Posted February 8, 2013 Hello, I need some advice for servicing movements. At the end of the last year I started servicing my own movements, I got some cheap ETAs that weren’t running, I disassemble them and take photos of each step, then I put them together and hope that they aren’t in a worse condition than before . I clean each part (except the anchor) in 100% alcohol and use Moebius and Tillwich oil. It seems to work, no movement has broken down by now. But the only thing I don’t know; what should I do with the mainspring and barrel? I don’t have a mainspring winder nor any special oils, greases or graphite. What would be the best solution for me? Should I clean the barrel with the mainspring inside, but then how do I oil it? I wouldn’t have a problem to buy a new mainspring each time I service one of my movements (every 5 years?) but what to do with the new mainspring, does it come pre-oiled? And what would you recommend for cleaning? I don’t have an ultrasonic cleaner and since I only service a few movements per year I don’t want to spend a fortune on super toxic cleaning solutions. I’d appreciate every advice! Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hiker01 Posted February 8, 2013 Report Share Posted February 8, 2013 Spoken like a Pro! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1680 Posted February 8, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2013 Thank you! So, I carefully remove the barrel top and arbor, put on safety glasses and remove the mainspring. Then I clean the barrel, take the new mainspring which comes held in that plastic ringy thing and put it into the barrel (since it's a new one, no need to oil). How do I put the mainspring into the barrel? I know there is a tool for that, but can I do it by hand as well? And I've read about winding the barrel arbor a bit, but what is a bit? Oh, and here is the second movement I serviced and decorated (ETA 2678), I rounded the angles, polished it, applied the Perlage and got it rhodinized. Now it sits in a small watch which I gave to my girlfriend for christmas. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1680 Posted February 8, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2013 Taking the balance staff apart wasn't that difficult, back together took me one night, a lot of nerves and a little help of a trained watch smith since I doesn't have all the right tools. Everything done by myself except the rhodium (it's not worth buying all that stuff). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rolexman Posted February 9, 2013 Report Share Posted February 9, 2013 quick question what did you use to do the perlage? Im thinking about doing this with a swiss 2836 that i have on the way. You can use everything. I use a felt bob with course polishing comound. I altered a cheap hand setting tool to do it manually. It gives me more accuracy and a better finish. With all due respect for the OP off course Example (although heavy duty using a machine)http://bbs.homeshopmachinist.net/threads/27105-My-first-attempt-at-Jeweling Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1680 Posted February 9, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2013 Hi, I use so called pin-polisher, they are made of silicone and contain abrasives, they measure 20x2mm or 20x3mm, come in different grits and hardness, cost 0,30€ per pin. This watchmaker recommend the middle (grit/hardness) ones: Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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