Fitting Backplates

[dnhb]

I've another single plate pocket watch to put back together after repair. In the past, after positioning the train wheels & pallet fork, I've just screwed my patience to the sticking post & accepted a long trial & error session of gently pushing & pulling the components until eventually - oh happy day! -  they all line up & the plate settles into place. However, before starting down that long road again, I thought I'd ask if colleagues have found a more efficient approach to the task e.g. starting from the rear of the point from which one is accessing the components;  arranging a particular initial placing/angling of the plate; using a particular type of device for the manipulations.....Grateful for any shared experiences/lessons learned.

[HectorLooi]

Patience and practice, practice, practice...

There is no shortcut. When I first started out, it could take me 45 mins to get all the pivots in, now it takes me less than a minute.

I made a tool for nudging the wheels out of brass wire stuck into a short handle. Something like an oversized oiler. Brass does not scratch the wheels.

Then I start by making sure all the bottom pivots are in their holes before dropping on the top plate. If you are lucky, you may get a hole-in-one.

If not, then use a woodstick and press lightly on the top plate and nudge each wheel into the hole. Start with the biggest first and end with the escape wheel, or in your case, the pallet fork.

Sometimes putting in a few of the screws but not exerting any pressure on the pivots, helps to prevent the top plate from see-sawing and getting displaced.

Good lighting and a microscope helps. Take your time and take breaks before something breaks. 

Good luck.

[oldhippy]

My master told me put in a couple of screws put don't screw them down tight as you will break off the pivots, it helps to keep the plate in place while you fiddle about with the wheels to get them in place, as you go you can screw down a little more each time a wheel is in place.