Starting Equipment to Learn how to Service ETA?

[Big Dazza]

I am maybe going to look into buying some oils and equipment to try and service an ETA 2836, I'm a beginner and will be a while before I will be able to carry this out properly but what sort of equipment and what models or types in particular should I think about getting?

 

I know this is quite an open question but things like ultrasonic cleaners types of fluid etc I will need to get and have no idea what would be the best value for a beginner. I have looked at which oils and greases I will need for an ETA 2836 so I think they wont be too much of an issue.

 

Many thanks for any advice or suggestions

[Jkay]

Have you spoken to Offshore? His watch parts/tool store could set you up and of course there's the forum member discount.

[ceejay]

Ultasonic cleaner that actually works... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/310783841113?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_sacat%3D0%26_from%3DR40%26_nkw%3D310783841113%26_rdc%3D1

 

Cleaning Fluid https://www.cousinsuk.com/catalog/consumables/watch-cleaning-rinsing-rust-removing-fluids/fluid-lr-111-watch-cleaner

Rinse fluid https://www.cousinsuk.com/catalog/consumables/watch-cleaning-rinsing-rust-removing-fluids/fluid-lr-ultrasonic-watch-rinse

 

Screwdrivers http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/190992735184?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_sacat%3D0%26_from%3DR40%26_nkw%3D190992735184%26_rdc%3D1

Start with a set like this that have removable blades, you can put better quality blades in when necessary

 

Tweezers, http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/250806420521?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_sacat%3D0%26_from%3DR40%26_nkw%3D250806420521%26_rdc%3D1

 or http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/250976262003?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_sacat%3D0%26_from%3DR40%26_nkw%3D250976262003%26_rdc%3D1

 

Staking block http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281074274283?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_sacat%3D0%26_from%3DR40%26_nkw%3D281074274283%26_rdc%3D1

 

Oilers... Get Bergeon they are the best and need to be!

 

Screwdriver sharpener & Diamond stone, you have to keep your blades (and tweezer in tip top condition. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/280859465931?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_sacat%3D0%26_from%3DR40%26_nkw%3D280859465931%26_rdc%3D1

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Professional-Diamond-Sharpening-Stone-Coarse-Grade-WW174-/281147037983?pt=UK_Hand_Tools_Equipment&hash=item4175ab591f

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/proops-ARKANSAS-HARD-OIL-STONE-sharpening-tools-boxed-watchmaker-clockmaker-/351016592830?pt=UK_Jewellery_Watches_WatchAccessories_SpareParts_SM&hash=item51ba3825be

 

Rodico of course

 

Pegwood http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PEGWOOD-BUNDLE-OF-24-PIECES-/301095441125?pt=UK_Jewellery_Watches_WatchAccessories_SpareParts_SM&hash=item461aafd2e5

 

Loupes, 2-3 X magnification & 12 X triplet magnification

Loupe wire, http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Wire-Eye-LOUPE-EYEGLASS-HOLDER-Band-for-Head-Watch-watchmalers-Repair-magnifier-/321267093799?pt=UK_Jewellery_Watches_WatchAccessories_SpareParts_SM&hash=item4acd02d127

 

Bergeon movement holder, don't go cheap.

 

Blower, http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Watch-Tool-Dust-Blower-for-Watches-Pocket-Watch-and-Clock-Movement-Cleaning-/390812189364?pt=UK_Jewellery_Watches_WatchAccessories_SpareParts_SM&hash=item5afe38c2b4

 

Finger cots.

 

 

It's a big initial investment.

 

A good resource here http://www.eta.ch/index.php?id=161&L=2

[Big Dazza]

Thanks for the pointers ceejay! Do you service your own movements?

[ceejay]

Yep, I have a dg2813 on the bench right now which will be followed by another one out of one of your big crowns

I am a year into horology training at the Epping forest horology centre.

Sent from my toilet using Andrex.

[Big Dazza]

Nice one mate, that would be a dream for me!

 

Damn I wish there was a school here in N. Ireland! Do I need a pressure tester and timing machine for now? They are crazy expensive and I suppose if I'm just starting off I wont need them? The thing that seems the hardest to me is when I mess up the balance spring or hairspring when removing the balance [censored].... Is there any guides that show a complete tear down of how to disassemble the parts on a balance [censored]?

[ceejay]

If you want to regulate a watch then unfortunately you need a timer. The timgrapher 1000 seem to be good value for money http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Watch-Timing-Machine-Multifunction-Timegrapher-1000-/400167716220

 

Very experienced watchmakers are able to do it by ear!

 

If you want to go down the route of movement servicing, ETA's are not a good place to start, you will ruin your first couple of movements, or loose parts

 

Best starting movement is a A6497, bigger than most movement being based on a pocketwatch. No date complcations. Get to grips with the gear train and keyless works, get an understanding of how they interact with each other. Practice your oiling (it's hard!)

Strip, reassemble, strip reassemble... Get a feel for your tools, crucial!

 

Very good tutorials here http://www.youtube.com/user/jewldood

 

Then you hit the balance assembly.

The absolute miniscule of changes to the hairspring has an effect on the timing of a movement. A fraction of a millimetre movement of that regulator arm will result in minutes - or + on the time. Or it not running at all.

I had a hairspring the other week that was not bouncing between the banking pins, just bouncing off one. I just a gave the hairspring a 'gentle 1mm nudge towards centre of the balance wheel...sorted.

 

The balance assembly is quite simple to look at, you have a spring that holds in the shock jewels (Incabloc, Novodiac etc) The shock jewels are in 2 pieces, the pivot jewel and the cap. once you have removed the retaining spring then they usualy come out stuck together put them in a small pot with cleaning fluid (I use lighter fuel) and give them a shake and they will come apart.

Asian retaining springs are made from crap materials and have to be handled with extreme care!

 

There is also another set of shock jewels mounted on the dial side of the mainplate, these have to be removed, cleaned and lubricated.

 

The balance wheel/spring is released by first turning the 'boot' this is the little bridge that the spring passes through before it goes into the retaining stud. There is a tiny groove in it that, you turn a quarter turn and this will allow the spring to drop out once you unscrew the stud screw.

The stud screw is a tiny screw on the side of stud retaining arm. Only unscrew it a tiny amount at a time, you don't want it dropping out. It will release the spring stud and the balance wheel will drop out. Screw the stud screw back in after releasing the balance wheel

When you replace the stud it should be flush with the top of the retaining arm plate.

Gently lift the last coil of the balance spring between the banking pins and secure the 'boot'

 

 

P.S. I forgot I am not in class for 2 weeks so can't access the calipers to measure the 6200 for the insert

Give you a shout when I do.

[billyfras]

I was about to post this same topic but Big Dazza was a couple days ahead of me. And thanks to ceejay for all that useful information! Now I clearly have a picture of where I need to start.

[ceejay]

A side note,

The shock jewels are normally different sizes on the balance c ock and the main plate, bare this in mind when servicing them.

Also the cap jewel that sits on top of the pivot jewel has 2 sides, a flat and domed. The flat side sits on top if the pivot jewel.