Homage Forum

Recently added a new tool to my collection. Bergeon desk micrometer.

What is the v cut out in the spindles used for?

Where could I find replacement spindles? I found this image to a sales flyer online, which makes me think I could buy them somewhere.
http://cdn.webshopapp.com/shops/36767/f ... ometer.jpg

Never thought about this, I actually don't know.
A guess would be if you want to measure the collar on a staff or a wheel, but it is just a wild guess as that should be possible without the cuts and flat parts.

Yoda, I was thinking the same thing. There must be a purpose....I figured someone here might know.

You can not see it in the photo, but the one spindle has one "ear" of the V broken off. I does not affect the use of the micrometer, but it would be nice to find a new set of spindles.

I use the two cylinder shaped spindles, mine came with these.

You are good with tools, why not simply remove these "nail heads" and recalibrate the micrometer?

The minute I remove those nail heads I will find out what the V is for and I will probably actually need it. That has been the story of my life. Now I ask first.....lol.....no matter how silly I feel asking. I ask.


I can actually see the flat side of that nail head being useful. If you adjust them so the flat side lays flush with the table it could make things a little easier.

I think Yoda is right, any time you have a measure something attached to a staff, that notch would help. Gears on a wheel staff, a collar, even the thickness of a balance wheel with the rest of the assembly still attached? I can't think of any other reason why you would notch it out like that.

This was my first impulse when I saw the pictures but I wanted to wait until someone more experienced chimed in. Now that they have I feel like it was a good assessment.

These types of notches seem to be fairly common when you look at other watchmaking tools too. My staking set has several stakes and stumps which I had assumed were meant to accomodate similar situations. Especially tools meant for working on balances. Having to accomodate impulse jewels, roller tables, staffs etc. requires such notches.

In regards to being able to measure these things without the notch, that may be true but when dealing with very tiny and very precise measurements you probably want to be as close as possible to dead center. The edges have a much better chance of being slightly bent and throwing out the measurement. I feel like they are only there to help add some surface area and help hold an item in place or keep it straight and are not intended to be the primary point of contact when taking a measurement.

These are my 2 cents anyway.

Yes, I am now convinced that the flat part is to make it easier for you to simply rest the object on it and measure.
The v cuts are there to prevent parts with an arbor to slide away.

So far I have only used mine when measuring mainsprings and staffs held in a pin vice.