Is there an advantage to using a stump when staking?

[SwissSeiko]

I see many ways of staking a balance staff. On one of my customers watches, while staking the new balance staff, the hub exploded. I didn't use excessive force, it just crumbled. So while attached another staff, i spread and rivet it like normal, only this time its not holding. Which led me to look at my Bulova watchmaking manual. Here they state to use a stump to hold the staff. I have never done that, I have a staking set with many holes in the rotating base, and as far as I can see, they use a stump because they don't have the rotating base. Is that the only reason to use a stump? I will reattached the staff tonight using a bit more force, I was worried I had a brittle staff so I was a bit reserved it my taps.

 

[mikepilk]

Like you, I don't use a stump, just the rotating base. I don't see any difference. 

It sounds like you were just unlucky and had a bad staff.

(BTW I've stuck a post-it note in the lid of my staking set to remind me to check the stumps and punch holes are clear before using them. Fitting a new staff I didn't notice something stuck in the punch, which broke the pivot)

[RichardHarris123]

10 minutes ago, mikepilk said:

I've stuck a post-it note in the lid of my staking set

Come on Mike, you could at least print a label, how amateurish off you.  Hehe. 

[watchweasol]

When fitting a staff either using the base or a stump it is always wise when selecting the punches always check (dry fitting) on the staff when in the tool to avoid the problem Mike had.

[mikepilk]

10 minutes ago, watchweasol said:

When fitting a staff either using the base or a stump it is always wise when selecting the punches always check (dry fitting) on the staff when in the tool to avoid the problem Mike had.

I selected the correct sized punches by using pushing the old staff in to the ends. Unfortunately it was only when finally hammering that I hit the problem.

[rehajm]

In the K&D instructions it mentions:  

When we consider that it is impossible to make steel HARD except at the expense of its toughness - in other words, it cannot be hardest and toughest at the same time

...they continue to imply stumps and stakes are manufactured differently for purpose, implying stakes may be less durable for purpose than stumps. I think somewhere de Carle mentioned its preferble to use a stump when possible for similar reasoning...

Edited July 23, 2024 by rehajm

[SwissSeiko]

Update:

 

This time I staked it with the smallest stump I had. I have the bergeon style staking set so I don't put stakes in inverted. This is the result. There is a clear ring around the hub where it was supported. It seems that maybe different styles of stakes will require a stump, while others do not. Mine does not.