Cannon Pinion Tightening Tool

[Waggy]

I also have the bergeon thing, still getting to know it and what works best. Used it in anger 2 or 3 times with mixed success. Last time I used it I think I over did it and the cannon pinion was too tight, I tried opening it back up with a smoothing broach, but didn't feel 100% correct when manipulating the hands. Anyone have a better way to fix this?

[HectorLooi]

3 hours ago, Waggy said:

Used it in anger 2 or 3 times with mixed success.

My sifu says, "Do things in anger, regret later at leisure."

[jannickz]

Bergeon 4733 Tightening Tool: This is a more affordable option compared to the pliers type, and it still provides good control and precision for tightening pinions.

[Burruz]

On 1/18/2024 at 12:24 PM, Neverenoughwatches said:

All the cannon pinions i have seen have the detent on both sides, i would assume to keep it central to the center wheel arbor. Be sure to tighten at the same position and use a restricting rod inside the cannon pinion to prevent over tightening, carefully broach out if that happens.

Excellent. Thankyou very much.

[Zendoc]

@Canthus - I’m trying to make your nifty nail clipper cannon pinion tightening tool but can’t find a drill bit which will get through the clipper for the setting screw hole.  If you’re still monitoring this thread, can you please tell me what bit you used to get through the hard and slippery clipper steel? I have a drill press, just need the right bit.

Many thanks!

John

[Neverenoughwatches]

1 hour ago, Zendoc said:

@Canthus - I’m trying to make your nifty nail clipper cannon pinion tightening tool but can’t find a drill bit which will get through the clipper for the setting screw hole.  If you’re still monitoring this thread, can you please tell me what bit you used to get through the hard and slippery clipper steel? I have a drill press, just need the right bit.

Many thanks!

John

Due to the nature of the steel intended for its use it will have some hardness, but not that hard. I've chipped the sharp cutting edges of loads of these .  Your drill bit is probably slipping on the shiny chrome plated surface, it wont bite until it gets through that. Try a center punch or otherwise cobalt or carbide bits.

[Zendoc]

Yes, Nev, that’s exactly what’s happening.  The bit is sliding all over the chrome surface and can’t get a bite into the underlying steel.  I’m using a cobalt bit.  I’ve used a punch.  They’re quite the tough toenail clippers.  I might have to dig a bigger pit through the chrome with something else and see if I get some tooth that way. I was hoping there’d be a bit to deal with this, but I’ll keep trying and might swap to a tungsten carbide bit and see if I have any luck.  Thanks for your comments.  

Edited June 14, 2024 by Zendoc
Correct typos.

[LittleWatchShop]

6 hours ago, Zendoc said:

Yes, Nev, that’s exactly what’s happening.  The bit is sliding all over the chrome surface and can’t get a bite into the underlying steel.  I’m using a cobalt bit.  I’ve used a punch.  They’re quite the tough toenail clippers.  I might have to dig a bigger pit through the chrome with something else and see if I get some tooth that way. I was hoping there’d be a bit to deal with this, but I’ll keep trying and might swap to a tungsten carbide bit and see if I have any luck.  Thanks for your comments.  

It has been three years since I made mine.  It was a challenge.  I think I used a micro carbide drill bit to get the hole started.  Then I followed up with a larger bit.

Edited June 14, 2024 by LittleWatchShop

[Zendoc]

Thanks @LittleWatchShop - yes, I was thinking that getting the hole started with a small carbide drill would do the trick.  Glad it worked for you and I’ll give it a go because I still think it would be fun to make this little tool.  Cheers.

[SiZi]

As a first time restorer, I did not want to invest in a special tool so here is what I did instead —> see video below. It’s definitely not “best practice” but I found it quite safe from an amateur perspective. And the results were good too.

Link - 

 

[HectorLooi]

That's a bit of an overkill. 

If you look at the beginning of this thread, a nail clipper would have been sufficient for the job. But having the smoothing broach in the centre of the cannon pinion to prevent the tube from getting over compressed is important.

But even if you do everything right, sometimes the tube may crack due to metal fatigue.