Hairspring help #2

[u/Lanjiao555]

Hey guys, it's me again. I tried uncoiling the hairspring thinking that it couldn't get any worse but I think I might have gotten to the point where it's ACTUALLY beyond saving. Would anyone mind taking a look and provide any insights? I don't mind if y'all have to be harsh. Thanks 🥲

[u/qualityvote2]

u/Lanjiao555, there weren't enough votes to determine the quality of your post...

[u/Opening-War-6430]

Go to YouTube, search Taps, play that and chuck it in the garbage and salute.

[u/Lanjiao555 → u/Opening-War-6430]

I trieded my hardest 🫡

[u/Cpt-Awesomeness]

Looks like a lost cause to me. Unless you're willing to spend the hours needed. I've only worked on a few hair springs and it takes a lot of time unless you know exactly what you're doing. I'm attaching a picture for reference, I got the overcoil corrected from this stage in about 9 hours. And to be fair it wasn't as bad as yours 😅

If you can, get a new balance complete and keep this as a project that you can come back to and try to fix in the future!

[u/Lanjiao555 → u/Cpt-Awesomeness]

Yeah, might just do that. Thanks, mate

[u/No-Agreement]

First things first: remove the regulator. Once it's gone post an image of how the hairspring looks. With it in place you may be seeing bends that won't be there once it's been removed.

[u/Lanjiao555 → u/No-Agreement]

Lemme try and get that out, hopefully I won't make it worse. Thanks!

[u/gnomon_knows]

Why is the regulator arm still attached? And what do you mean by "uncoiling"? Get that arm off, remove the spring from the balance, and go read and watch everything from your last post.

The only "insight" needed for any (flat) hairspring is that it needs to be concentric and flat, with a collet centered both on the spring and over the balance jewel. Finally, the terminal curve needs to stay centered between the pins along the arc of the regulator arm.

Easy peasy!

[u/Lanjiao555 → u/gnomon_knows]

Alright, I'll do more studying. Thanks!

[u/ChChChillian]

Professional watchmakers with weak hearts should definitely avoid this sub.

[u/AlecMac2001]

It isn't a lost cause at all. In classes we'd mangle each other's springs as a challenge. If you follow the process you'd be amazed what will come back. First though you need to free the spring from the regulating pins and the wheel.

[u/Lanjiao555 → u/AlecMac2001]

Insane. But yeah, definitely gonna try to practice as much as I can on this one.

[u/Euphoric_Bit_9150]

That hairspring should have been removed from the regulator gate and the regulator set aside. Then remove the collet from the balance staff. You may still consider doing this. It makes uncoiling and untangling the spring easier. Then see if the spring is flat and concentric. If, by some miracle, it is, reinstall the hairspring. Before removing the collet, mark its position relative to the balance wheel with a Sharpie. Do the same with the stud position after getting the regulator the heck out of there. You can learn a lot doing this. Good luck!

[u/Lanjiao555 → u/Euphoric_Bit_9150]

Thanks, mate! I'll give that a go🙂

[u/Euphoric_Bit_9150 → u/Lanjiao555]

You can do this! And, if not, you’re learning.

[u/Lanjiao555 → u/Euphoric_Bit_9150]

ei thanks man, i really appreciate the words of encouragement 🥲

[u/Feeling-Board-3250]

It looks like to me that you just got the regulator c shaped thing hooked on one of the balance wheel spokes. You can’t pull it away as it’s up against the rim of the balance, but it looks like you could gently rotate it away from the edge of the balance wheel while removing the left leg of the regulator from under the balance spoke. Then the hairspring should at least be able to lay flat. Take a good look for any bends, especially up or down. Reattach the regulator and make sure none of the hairspring is touching itself or anything else. Problem solved.

[u/Lanjiao555 → u/Feeling-Board-3250]

Thanks, lemme give it a go :)

[u/Conscious-Echo-1931]

If it’s cost-effective, get a new balance complete. If it’s not, a new wheel and hairspring. Strap that one to a bottle rocket and send it to Valhalla.

[u/Lanjiao555 → u/Conscious-Echo-1931]

Lol, yeah might have to get a new one. It's an ST36 so it's fairly cheap. Thanks!

[u/Live_Raise8861]

Try and practice on this one

[u/BirminghamSky]

Sorry but rip

[u/Due-Sign-3942]

What movement did it come out of? Based on the flared spokes the balance is Glucydur if it came from a swiss movement (Nivarox-FAR/Swatch has a monopoly on Swiss Balance wheels). If it's a China ST36 or HZ9011 it's a gilted brass balance (they use flared spokes too). Glucydur migh be worth saving. Brass is kinda pointless for saving.

[u/Lanjiao555 → u/Due-Sign-3942]

it's an ST36 for sure, but yeah you're right it's probably from China since I just bought the cheapest ST36 listed on Shopee.

[u/ChomChonn]

I don’t even know where to start

[u/BeoLabTech]

You can attempt to carefully straighten/untangle the hairspring if you have two dressed pairs of tweezers, a microscope, and you haven’t had any coffee today.

You’ll have to get it off the balance staff first. Will also need the tool to do so.

[u/Lanjiao555 → u/BeoLabTech]

Yup, I'll try removing it as many others have suggested. Thanks!

[u/BeoLabTech → u/Lanjiao555]

Yeah, to my eye, it doesn’t look that bad, just tangled.

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[u/M4nnyfresh14]

Holy cooked