Homage Forum

jiminpotomac wrote: ↑March 25th, 2019, 6:57 pm I have nothing to add other than "I am in awe of the skills and knowledge on this board."

I second this.

Yoda wrote: ↑March 25th, 2019, 6:51 pm I can't talk for the others, but NO is the answer to your question regarding myself.
There are a lot of garage watchmakers out there, but not in my area.
When I look at the pictures, I wonder how the hell parts end up looking like that in the first place....

Well I sure wasn't thinking of you M, I've seen your work and you're no hack. But there certainly seem to be a lot of hacks out there and especially in Eastern Europe for some reason. Those were just a few pictures that I happened to have handy, if I got into my old Photobucket account I could send dozens more of the exact same things. And it seems like it's always a 616 that I find this stuff in.

No, that is not practice only in Eastern Europe, it is simply bad way of improvisation, mostly due to lack of spare parts (or knowledge)... I know many good watchmakers here. They would never do such thing as on pictures. Hence, there are nany others who prefer "to fix it"
Problem is in procedure of replacing balance staff. Roller plate is not dismantled properly and here comes the row of issues. I have seen many loosen balance rims for the same reason, "hole is bigger", some will say... Then they use loctite or some super glue older people use shelac as well... Also, it happens that roller plate doesn't fit because staff is not original but similar ... For example, molnija staffs are pretty tough and roller plate is made from much softer material... Replacing staff in wrong way makes it looks exactly as on pictures above.
Recently I got donor balance for hammy 917, I needed roller plate. After dismantling, I've found tiny brass piece inside roller. Measuring balance staff showed me the reason ... Obviously someone refitted the "similar" balance staff previously... So it happens in other parts of the world as well. I think it is a matter of personal attitude, at first.

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unreformed66 wrote: ↑March 25th, 2019, 8:50 pm

Yoda wrote: ↑March 25th, 2019, 6:51 pm I can't talk for the others, but NO is the answer to your question regarding myself.
There are a lot of garage watchmakers out there, but not in my area.
When I look at the pictures, I wonder how the hell parts end up looking like that in the first place....

Well I sure wasn't thinking of you M, I've seen your work and you're no hack. But there certainly seem to be a lot of hacks out there and especially in Eastern Europe for some reason. Those were just a few pictures that I happened to have handy, if I got into my old Photobucket account I could send dozens more of the exact same things. And it seems like it's always a 616 that I find this stuff in.

I know you weren't, it's not your style.