Budget watch cleaning problems

[RichardHarris123]

I'm not sure what if the other emojis increase your reputation.  Posting raises your rank, new member, member etc. I think to become an advanced member is at Mark's perogative. 

[Neverenoughwatches]

1 hour ago, AndyGSi said:

What's not available?

Liquinox 

1 hour ago, RichardHarris123 said:

I'm not sure what if the other emojis increase your reputation.  Posting raises your rank, new member, member etc. I think to become an advanced member is at Mark's perogative. 

I'm hoping that one day to become a " GoldMember " 

[RichardHarris123]

You're definitely a "member"!!!

[AxelSLK]

So since this thread have a lot of noise currently maybe someone could give me a quick tip.
 

I happened upon a broken incabloc spring… any idea how to remove it and replace it? I guess I will have to remove the balance and get the regulator off and in that case, how do I get this kind of regulator off?

[AndyGSi]

5 hours ago, AxelSLK said:

So I found a few options from a manufacturer that is easily available in sweden called Kemetyl. (Huge plus imo if it’s easy to find in local stores)

T-lamp oil = Intended for inside use which could be a plus if it is less odor if it works as good as anything else

T-Tenol = some fuel containing metanol and etanol

T-“stove fuel”?? = some type of bio-etanol from what I can tell. Think this one could be the closest to kerosene but I feel like I seriously have no clue

 

This is kerosene from my earlier post

https://www.amazon.se/-/en/Naphtha-500ml/dp/B0CRZ61G9J/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1ZQ3GE3QEZFYY&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.HcvQu_vyRj6s-6IsVrdsL1n_a1Mp8UIwUknfig59OcNb1iQXymjU4eNfyyty7TldX83MDY1FrMyvJ-AFsdT0c3LbTUSMVGcQa2Q4-Z1PbAumQMNRQfiUe_wRQ_hfsKy45xCFP53uGc2Q2VEzxpvDRx9qtBWs1XAw9c9766ui4HznSr1_dnMaWc34Xa5367aDVlGsibudbQlP9eRxGZpM3JhJvzL-D9V6clxpzdDsqmg7t3HUn98oscx0e6KTYXLZl0hXnMRAVDClefmG_s3d0Q.aLYsiKtIg0nWF9YI0DcLd_KYc00O_uhEYtfE0SMTcTM&dib_tag=se&keywords=naphtha&qid=1723200248&sprefix=naphtha%2Caps%2C66&sr=8-2

50 minutes ago, Neverenoughwatches said:

Liquinox 

I thought that's what you meant but even with the high shipping it's still only works out as 60p a litre when diluted.

[Neverenoughwatches]

16 minutes ago, AndyGSi said:

thought that's what you meant but even with the high shipping it's still only works out as 60p a litre when diluted.

100 litres of solution from a 1 litre bottle. I use a small US that runs on half a litre of water, 200 washes, more if cleaning jars are used orthe us bath can be sealed .

1 hour ago, AxelSLK said:

So since this thread have a lot of noise currently maybe someone could give me a quick tip.

You've been hijacked Axel sorry about that, we sometimes get carried away and the discussion can take the odd twist and turn making full circle back to the original subject after covering related aspects.  Oh and a little banter for the spice

1 hour ago, AxelSLK said:

So since this thread have a lot of noise currently maybe someone could give me a quick tip.
 

I happened upon a broken incabloc spring… any idea how to remove it and replace it? I guess I will have to remove the balance and get the regulator off and in that case, how do I get this kind of regulator off?

Is the index split ?  Make and calibre please Axel

[AxelSLK]

58 minutes ago, Neverenoughwatches said:

100 litres of solution from a 1 litre bottle. I use a small US that runs on half a litre of water, 200 washes, more if cleaning jars are used orthe us bath can be sealed .

You've been hijacked Axel sorry about that, we sometimes get carried away and the discussion can take the odd twist and turn making full circle back to the original subject after covering related aspects.  Oh and a little banter for the spice

Is the index split ?  Make and calibre please Axel

Haha no worries. I actually love the turns and shifts in subjects, also I might learn something new along the way

 

It’s a Zenith with the 2542pc movement. What a roller coaster of emotions this restoration have been. One of the watches I got from my grandfather and when I opened it up it had 2 broken screws, one for the balance and one for the calendar works. Unfortunately the calendar screw was stuck in the mainspring and I couldn’t even get it out with the bergeon tool so I had to source a new one.

After a long wait I finally got all the parts and started putting it back together and waddya know, balance is a bit too tight. After trying to get some aluminum foil shims taking the balance off and on the incabloc spring broke… 

 

I didn’t give up though and took apart my first balance (I have been sweating like a madman the past 2 hours) but I managed to get it back together and sourced the new spring from a donor movement I had laying around.
 

seems like the watchgods smiled upon me because the hairspring seems to be fine after all my shenanigans and the problem with the balance being too tight just resolved itself, watch kicked right up with good amplitude and everything.

I wonder what will go wrong next

[Neverenoughwatches]

8 hours ago, AxelSLK said:

Haha no worries. I actually love the turns and shifts in subjects, also I might learn something new along the way

 

It’s a Zenith with the 2542pc movement. What a roller coaster of emotions this restoration have been. One of the watches I got from my grandfather and when I opened it up it had 2 broken screws, one for the balance and one for the calendar works. Unfortunately the calendar screw was stuck in the mainspring and I couldn’t even get it out with the bergeon tool so I had to source a new one.

After a long wait I finally got all the parts and started putting it back together and waddya know, balance is a bit too tight. After trying to get some aluminum foil shims taking the balance off and on the incabloc spring broke… 

 

I didn’t give up though and took apart my first balance (I have been sweating like a madman the past 2 hours) but I managed to get it back together and sourced the new spring from a donor movement I had laying around.
 

seems like the watchgods smiled upon me because the hairspring seems to be fine after all my shenanigans and the problem with the balance being too tight just resolved itself, watch kicked right up with good amplitude and everything.

I wonder what will go wrong next

Well done Axel seems like you have the makings of a good repairman.

[AxelSLK]

2 hours ago, Neverenoughwatches said:

Well done Axel seems like you have the makings of a good repairman.

Many thanks for the kind words but I definitely do not, remember I broke the damn thing to begin with

It’s a great hobby though and I really enjoy just taking something apart and trying to put it back together. Too bad I tend to break stuff in the process haha 

[Neverenoughwatches]

32 minutes ago, AxelSLK said:

Many thanks for the kind words but I definitely do not, remember I broke the damn thing to begin with

It’s a great hobby though and I really enjoy just taking something apart and trying to put it back together. Too bad I tend to break stuff in the process haha 

Thats all part of the learning Axel , we've all been there and still pay the occasional visit . You got it up and running after some tough repairs for a beginner and thats something to be proud of , certainly don't downplay your achievements matey.

[watchweasol]

Hi Axel. You can read many books and watch many videos but to learn requires you to do the job, all the books etc will guide you through but it’s you in the end. So well done, and remember all of us on here have been where you are at and at times lost and broke a few things in the process. So get your hands dirty and enjoy the watch repair. Remember we are here to help not to judge or criticise, all questions answered where possible.  If you are looking for any information just ask somebody may have it.   I have attached a useful bit of information just in case you don’t already have it.       Cheers

TZIllustratedGlossary.pdf

[AxelSLK]

5 hours ago, watchweasol said:

Hi Axel. You can read many books and watch many videos but to learn requires you to do the job, all the books etc will guide you through but it’s you in the end. So well done, and remember all of us on here have been where you are at and at times lost and broke a few things in the process. So get your hands dirty and enjoy the watch repair. Remember we are here to help not to judge or criticise, all questions answered where possible.  If you are looking for any information just ask somebody may have it.   I have attached a useful bit of information just in case you don’t already have it.       Cheers

TZIllustratedGlossary.pdf 4.2 MB · 2 downloads

Thanks that’s really helpful. That’s something I really like about this hobby, you kind of have to get your hands dirty to actually know what’s going on. 
 

Will have to save that one and go through it a few times. Thanks!

[watchweasol]

Hi. Here attached is another booklet, you may find is compliments the TZ one but a bit more depth.

TM 9-1575.pdf

[CYCLOPS]

Hi, here is some information issued by the war department in the 40's, maybe it can help on a budget..... 

[linux]

On 8/9/2024 at 4:31 AM, Neverenoughwatches said:

If you're not using water for cleaning then brake cleaner will  work fine as an overall cleaning solution. The Kerosene will do a better job of lifting oil and grease then a quick rinse in brake cleaner to swill the Kerosene off. Both should be available just about anywhere, its just a heating oil and a car maintenance consumable. 

I'll do a mirror test later today to show you any residue left. On the parts there doesn't seem to be any. Theres an experiment i did a few months ago on 7 different solutions, will be somewhere in the archives, cant remember if it was my thread or i tagged it on to another.

Found it, strangely enough i didn't test the brake cleaner ?

https://www.watchrepairtalk.com/topic/29710-cleaning-tiny-springs/?do=findComment&comment=252145

what is the mirror test?

[Neverenoughwatches]

2 hours ago, linux said:

what is the mirror test?

.........its in the link.

[RichardHarris123]

Mirror test, am I looking good today? Of course.  Hehe. 

[PQR]

I've tested Holts Aeorosol Brake cleaner. E.g. I get mine in the UK from Screwfix. I use it in little single-serving jam jars in the ultrasonic, and then a couple more jars of it for rinsing. Before I got the ultrasonic it worked fine with manual swirling and maybe some brushing.

I squirt first from the aerosol into a slightly larger jar otherwise it flies all over the place. One should consider ventillation but I do all my work in the kitchen. Brake cleaner only smells a little, is quite nice, and doesn't linger.

No residue (though of course once it has stuff dissolved in it there is, hence the rinsing).

I also test each new can for softening of shellac. I have a jar with a nut stuck to the bottom with Ronseal Colron Knotting Solution (which is just shellac in meths) and I leave it in brake cleaner overnight. None of the three batches of Holts I've bought over the last year caused softening, but an old can of cheaper stuff did. Looking at specs from the safety sheets I think it might be aldehydes causing some shellac softening in the other brand.

Brake cleaner evapourates from parts quickly, causing cooling, but on wristwatch parts I've never had a problem with condensation causing rust. I did once stupidly spray clock parts straight from the can (the expansion from the nozzle causes additional cooling) and got frost! Followed by rust.

 

 

 

 

[Neverenoughwatches]

5 hours ago, PQR said:

I've tested Holts Aeorosol Brake cleaner. E.g. I get mine in the UK from Screwfix. I use it in little single-serving jam jars in the ultrasonic, and then a couple more jars of it for rinsing. Before I got the ultrasonic it worked fine with manual swirling and maybe some brushing.

I squirt first from the aerosol into a slightly larger jar otherwise it flies all over the place. One should consider ventillation but I do all my work in the kitchen. Brake cleaner only smells a little, is quite nice, and doesn't linger.

No residue (though of course once it has stuff dissolved in it there is, hence the rinsing).

I also test each new can for softening of shellac. I have a jar with a nut stuck to the bottom with Ronseal Colron Knotting Solution (which is just shellac in meths) and I leave it in brake cleaner overnight. None of the three batches of Holts I've bought over the last year caused softening, but an old can of cheaper stuff did. Looking at specs from the safety sheets I think it might be aldehydes causing some shellac softening in the other brand.

Brake cleaner evapourates from parts quickly, causing cooling, but on wristwatch parts I've never had a problem with condensation causing rust. I did once stupidly spray clock parts straight from the can (the expansion from the nozzle causes additional cooling) and got frost! Followed by rust.

 

 

 

 

You can buy this break cleaner as 5 litre tins for just 16 quid, much more cost effective. Its not my main cleaner, i use it in place of IPA , i found it cleans dirt and grease but also acts as a rinse with good evaporation rates.

[Neverenoughwatches]

Make an ultrasonic lid to hold your solution containers....it gets them out of the mesh basket and floating in the bath.....the cavitations dont need to wriggle their way through it. 

This little set up is great if you just want to quick clean half a dozen or so parts . Beans tins with cousins plastic and mesh basket for full movement cleans the over motor slowly rotates anything from one revolution to around 20 per minute.

Yaa I've considered the marine ply will probably deteriorate in time with condensation over the water tank, i thought about yacht varnishing it......I mean boats last for a long...... long time in water . But then i realised that I really could not be arsed, when the ply is dead I'll make another lid from pvc. 

[Neverenoughwatches]

Evolution of cleaning watch parts.

[Neverenoughwatches]

A bit more evolution fellas, with a little modification what cleaning apparatus can you make from the insides of a cafetiere ? 

[RichardHarris123]

Starbucks,every time you use it, it asks you your name. Plus you've got to choose between 3000 different options.

[Neverenoughwatches]

18 minutes ago, RichardHarris123 said:

Starbucks,every time you use it, it asks you your name. Plus you've got to choose between 3000 different options.

I was thinking more on the lines of a mesh basket holder tbh