How to Install a Train Bridge without Breaking the Pivots
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 ก.ย. 2024
- In our Basic Watch Repair Series, Lesson 6 covers the functions of the power train or train of wheels. One of the most frustrating obstacles that someone new to Watch Repair assembly is fitting the train bridge onto the movement, aligning the pivots and into the pivot holes and then tightening down the rain bridge without crushing or bending the pivots.
This is the last system to cover in this manual wound watch movement and sets you up to now be able to start disassembling the watch and performing the needed inspections.
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Just an old retired guy and watch enthusiast/collector who bout 4 years ago started working on them. Jumping around your vids I decided to start at the beginning. Glad I did! Learn something new every time. Great vid. Thanks.
You may have noticed that the channel that I started is really meant as a learning channel mostly for people just starting out. But as we get deeper into watch, making even people with some experience behind them, will find things to learn. From one old, retired guy to another.😉
Alex, these videos are awesome. I have watched a lot of watch repair videos that show you stuff but don't explain anything. But with your videos I am finally understanding the function of each part and how they all interact. It's like a lightbulb going on in my brain. Thank you.
There’s an old saying, “ You don’t know what to don’t know”.
Knowledge is everything in watch service.
Excellent stuff here. I am a jet engine mechanic and due to your great videos I have started a watch making hobby. Thank you so much.
This ain't Rocket Science! 😂 No seriously, you probably have an analytical mind and are good at problem solving which is going to help you a lot.
Many thanks for another valuable lesson! Frustration can drive anybody to bend a pivot and lamenting for "bad luck"
Thank you for the video. I learned a lot from these videos !
Glad to hear it!
Really thought you were going to do the "it is hard to get a bridge on perfectly the first try, but oh look, I just did" and keep going from there. Thanks for the second take with your deliberate explanation of what to do when it doesn't work the first time! Found your video after getting stuck servicing a movement with a single train and barrel bridge that is being especially difficult to get seated.
Lol, it usually doesn’t happen but sometimes it does. The needle probes I use help a lot and being able to see where the pivot is in relation to the jewel hole also helps a lot.
I'm really enjoying the foundation of knowledge you're setting out for us. A lot of this information is available other places but this is concise and clear.
That’s the idea. Everything I’m going over know are building blocks for for when we get into troubleshooting. Thanks 🙏
I agree with Kevin, this video Illustrates what a watch is, and what it’s components are and what they do. Thank you for the valuable lesson. I just subscribed to your channel 🎉
This explanation and tutorial are fantastic, nice job!!! I tried laying my first Vostok train bridge last night and gave up for the night…seeking knowledge….I found it!!! Thanks
That’s really cool Jim. Thanks for being here with us.
Alex, you make this look so easy. I think part of that is your years of experience, but also, that microscope really makes it easy to see. As a hobbyist, I know that will never be an option for me, but wow, that sure makes it easy to see better. I struggle at times with seeing things with the magnification that I use, but I will just have to live with that. Thank you again for these videos! 😊
Practice, Practice, Practice
I found a second hand biological dissecting microscope on an auction that magnifies up to about 15 times (but is variable). Just right and cost about $40. So don't abandon the search for a microscope. The only difference between Alex' one and mine is, mine has no camera attachment!
Man, this one was really good! How tiny these things are! Enjoying a lot your vídeos.
Yes they are small aren’t they. Thank you Marcelo. 😀
Thank you excellent video. Has helped a lot. Phil from New Zealand
Glad it helped
Alex, you're the man. (UK)
no, you're the man.😉
BONUS TIP GOT THE LIKE!!!
Love home made tools.
Today I take apart my little Wyler mechanical. It's a eta 1301, dime size movement.
Aloha
sounds fun. Careful with that hairspring brother.
I like the bonus tip about the needles in peg wood. I use needles and toothpicks sometimes but putting the needle in pegwood is a great idea
Good to see you as always BR.
Wow man you're pumping out content like crazy! Awesome!!
Amazing what you can do on 4 hrs sleep.🤣
I’m an operating engineer, I do gun smithing also even making small parts that are obsolete but this watch repair can work on your last nerve. I give you a lot of credit for your craft.
It's just a small world with tolerances of some parts in the 100's of a mm.
You got this.
Another great video. Thanks. I like the Bonus tips on the tools. I usually use a tapered pin in the end of a pin-vise, but by making a couple of those tools, I'll free up the pin-vise. Cool. Cheers.
That’s awesome man. I love making little handmade tools, and they turn out to be the ones that I use the most.
This is a real challenge in full plate watches!
You bet it is. But like anything else it just takes practice.
@@watchrepairtutorials I have made a tiny s shaped wire and with a foam wedge I can usually ease it into place.
I've discovered tapping the side of the movement holder with the blunt end of my tweezers does a fine job of getting pivots (train bridge and balance wheel) to settle in place.
Thanks for your videos, Alex. I use them as a constant reference source and as a go-to when I encounter problems. It seems regardless of how many times I watch them, I learn something new every time. You're a fantastic instructor.
Great tip John. That will definitely work. I think I’ve shown that in a video.
Excellent tips & clear instructions, thanks
Thank you Robert I appreciate you watching the video, and I hope it helps even if only a little
Excellent explanation. Very clear
Glad it was helpful!
It worked it took some time big thanks, Keep it coming thanks again uk
No problem 👍
You make it look so easy…….
Practices
Hi,
One thing I want to say,
You have good explaining techniques and talk like one who teach should.
Unfortunately most school teachers are mostly nothing compared to you.
I love listening to you.
Give hope and confidence in human being.
On my side am a watch seller and repair shop on roadside in a third world country. I love learning.
What country my friend?
Hi Alex,
It was a great pleasure for me to follow your tutorial again. I‘ve learned a lot again. You are one of the best teachers I‘ve had in my life.
Best wishes from Germany!
Gregor
Hello Gregor, Thank you very much. I hope some of my video's help in your pursuit. Let me know how I can help
Great stuff as always :) One thing I always mention with any part that is held in with multiple screws, whether it's a watch bridge or the back of a G-shock or the intake manifold of a smallblock chevy: START all the screws before you tighten ANY of them. It's very easy to put something on cocked or weird if you tighten the first screw before the others are in place. It also makes sure you always line up screw holes, etc.
I can see that you do that but thought it was worth a mention :)
Hi Eric,
That’s a very good point.
Good stuff Eric. 👍
I found your videos a couple weeks ago. I love your content and approach. And I see that you also make some of your own tools - great tips!
Very interesting video! Unfortunately, it is so much harder with smaller movements, where you can't immediately see with your bare eyes if the pivots are positioned correctly.
Yes, I understand. Just try moving the second or center wheel and while holding the light pressure on the bridge, look to see which pivot is not straight and try moving it towards the hole until it falls in. It just takes practice.
Thank you very much for those masterly video, I have a Omega vintage watch that I feel not ready to do the maintenance, I live in Las Vegas
I am glad you realize that. Practice and learn, you'll get there.
The best watchmaking class!! Thanks
Glad to have you brother
Your videos are awesome... I'm just starting with watch servicing and this really helps... Thank you
Great as always. I always look forward to the next video. Keep up the good work!
Thanks. Next we are going to take a look at the disassembly and inspection process. This is to primarily learn what end and side shake SHOULD look like so that you can recognize when it is incorrect. Ideally when you are servicing a vintage watch, you want to fix issues before the cleaning process. That way when you do your assembly and lubrication, you don’t have to start taking pieces on and off ruining the lubrication you just did. Should be interesting 🤨
I love your videos. Your detailed explanations and high resolution close-up images have helped me learn so much already. I have subscribed and can’t wait for new videos. Thank you, thank you!
Ah man I love you! Thanks so much. I promise you, if you follow me through all these basic steps, you will learn to become a watchmaker.
Your the boss.I spent all night trying to get the bridge in place. So going back to try again.Great video.
Just remember patience and a light touch and you will get it. Let me know if you need any help.
never mind , honestly i guessed . should have completed the whole video. thank you
No worries!
Great teaching skills. Frustration with aligning a eta1080 bridge led me here. Thanks!
Hope it helped! Thanks man.
استفدت كثيرا من طريقة شرحك واسلوبك ..انك معلم ممتاز شكرا لك
I appreciate that my friend. What country are you in.
@@watchrepairtutorials
انا من العراق
@@KM-bj4ju حسنًا، إذًا عليك أن تبذل قصارى جهدك فيما يتعين عليك العمل معه. منظف جيد لقطع الشحوم يتبعه كحول الأيزوبروبيل بنسبة 99٪. أيضًا، سيكون البنزين مع شطفه بنسبة 99٪ من كحول الأيزوبروبيل مزيجًا جيدًا أيضًا.
Another great one Alex, and I love this « lessons » principle, it allows to go step by step without being messy, and great for clear understanding. I truly appreciate your videos. I got my Amscope on order now, after following your good advices. Keep it up Alex!!!
Hi Willy,
A lot of people just want to jump into “Watch Repair” and just try to figure it out while they go. Depending on the movement they might have some success but most people end up with a drawer full of watches they can’t fix.
By learning the basics and knowing how a movement should look when it’s functioning properly, this allows you to see things that are wrong.
When it comes to correcting problems with amplitude, which is the number one issue new watchmaker have, if your basics skills are not there, you are always chasing your tail trying to figure out what’s wrong.
Congratulations on the new scope. You are already way ahead.
Hard to describe how great this video is. 👍
Glad you enjoyed it Turan.
I like the tip about the sewing needle. Gonna make one soon now.
Sometimes the simplest of tools are the best.
You have a great way of explaining everything... many thanks!
Thank you, great video!
Maybe one of the biggest obstacles to get past but with practice it becomes 2nd nature. You got this
These are really great explanations of the mechanisms and the techniques. Thanks.
You're very welcome!
Great explanation and tips. Thanks!
From Indonesia : thank you sir exelent tutorial
Thank you, my friend’s always great to see someone from out of the US enjoying the videos
This is super simply super ! Great work
Thank you Joe, I hope it helps
THANKS
Great video again Alex. I have had some train bridges drop right in without any problems then I have had some that was a pain in rear and I wanted to pull my hair out.
Now you know how clockmakers feel. 😆
@@watchrepairtutorials Alex I think I just jinx myself. As of this post I was putting back together a EB 8810 got to train bridge and guess what it's eating my lunch so far no luck been at it on and off for over a hours now😒
Thank you so much Alex for sharing your valuable knowledge and experience with us!
It’s my pleasure Tom.
I hope it helps In some small way.
Having a blast watching your content! Awesome stuff, enjoying it so much. I want to start repairing watches strictly as a passtime hobby and these videos are so helpful, everything I have learned so far is from you. Thank you so much. 🤘
My advice to you would be to take your time. This stuff takes time to get good at. Learn something new and practice. The main thing you should be focusing on at this point is how to complete a service or working movement so that the movement works better than it did before you started.
@@watchrepairtutorials Thanks for the advice, I have a pocket watch that only runs when it’s dial facing down, looking forward to see if I can get it running correctly again ;)
@@TheDivineInferno you will be able to one day. If it doesn’t have shock protection, it’s most likely a broken balance pivot. That type of repair will require a staking set. Just FYI old pocket watches are probably the most challenging watch is to get running correctly. Let me know if you need anything.
Great vid.
Thanks you very much
Best channel on TH-cam 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
I appreciate that Peter
Fantastic video I really appreciate the content
Thank you my friend.
thank you
No problem 😌
Mulțumim!
No Thank you for supporting the channel my friend. If you email me I will send you a copy of my ebook on adjusting watch rates.
Thank you
If you’re way down on that video I’m guessing that you’re fairly new John is that correct? If so, welcome, there’s a ton of information in the playlist but let me know if there’s anything I could do to help you. Alex
Wow this was very helpful. After breaking many pivots I wish I watched this sooner 😂😂😂
You learn something new every time you break a pivot don’t you
@@watchrepairtutorials Haha yes atleast im playing with joblots of old watches that I buy off auctions so I dont mind losing them. Just stil feel
kinda regretful when it does happen though. Btw im watching all the way from South Africa!!
@@timo57890 oh that’s awesome brother I have a talk to some other viewers From South Africa as well. It’s really a small world isn’t it?
@@watchrepairtutorials Most definately! Internet definately played a huge influence in making us realize that
Sewing needles... that's a mind-blowing moment when you realize just how small these parts are!
Yes and they still feel big when you use them to needle hairsprings.
So this video is pertainent. I made the rookie mistake of breaking the pivot on the escape wheel on the Elgin Pocket Watch I got. It has to old brass pivot points and not Ruby jewels and was a real pain to get them in. First time I striped it I got them all back in but had to strip it down again and this time I missed the mark. Luckily it's just a test peice I got but annoying as f$%k that I did this. I won't make this mistake twice. Thanks Alex for this one. Great tips as always.
Thank you Graham
Hey Alex, thanks a lot for this series of videos they’ve really helped me! Could you confirm exactly which order we should be disassembling and reassembling please?
It doesn't really matter in the disassembly. When putting watches together I typically start with the keyless works Because the crown and ratchet wheel are part of it. Then you can install the powertrain starting with the mainspring barrel and its components, the bridge and then finally the train wheels. Then you can install the pallet fork and balance wheel.
Once this is assembled, go to a full wind and see what it looks like on your timegrapher. If everything looks good, meaning no crazy trace lines, obvious problems in the escapement and decent amplitude then you can go ahead and install the motion works in any calendar systems.
If after installing the balance wheel, if the movement is demonstrating anything out of the ordinary that doesn't look good, there's no need to assemble anything else yet. Let the watch run for 24 hours to see if things settle out before starting to do any troubleshooting.
@@watchrepairtutorials awesome thank you 👌🏽
Beautiful work, super ! Thank you! How can we send you some donations?
Thanks again Cristian. 👍
great video. and yes it is very frustrating aligning the bridge. but i am getting better. thanks
i have a question
for trying to diagnose which gears might be the problem. why cant i move the whole train from the center wheel when the balance wheel and the pallet fork is installed
The pallet fork is locked on the escape wheel which prevents all the power from leaving the mainspring barrel. this is why the power is let down before removing the pallet fork.
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I like
Great video as always, your a great teacher! I think I need to get a watch with jewls at some point, cause learning on brass holes makes it so much more difficult, even if Im getting better at it :) only cleaned about 3 pocket watches this far.
Brass pivot holes tend to become “Out of Round” and eat up amplitude to the escapement. They can be fixed adding bushings which will be a subject in some up coming videos down the road.
@@watchrepairtutorials Thats the second vid from you Im very inteterested in, so you got yourself a subscriber for sure :)
Fantastic video. I always learn something.
One problem I have with nearly every movement I try to work on has got me to the point of just giving up this hobby, and that is putting the train bridge back on. When I put the train bridge back on, the pivots are in place, it fits down snugly, everything looks good, and then the damn wheels won't turn. They just lock. Even though everything looks to be in place. We are always told to make sure as we put pieces back that the wheels turn easily and freely. Mine almost always do not turn. No, I am not forcing anything. The brass bends too easy as it is. Is something slightly bent and I can't see it?. If everything is in place and the pivots are in their respective jewels, then why would they lock up and not turn?. It's very frustrating. I am beginning to see why there are not many watch and clock repairmen around. Working on cars is like breathing compared to this.
" *When I put the train bridge back on, the pivots are in place, it fits down snugly, everything looks good, and then the damn wheels won't turn"*
When you put the bridge on, the wheels will spin freely only if the wheels are in the correct position AND all the pivots are in the correct place. Often times, all the pivots with the exception of one will be the jewel holes. Don't put in any screws until the wheels spin freely.
*"The brass bends too easy as it is"* Pivots are steel
*"If everything is in place and the pivots are in their respective jewels, then why would they lock up and not turn?"*
There is no question that installing a bridge with multiple wheels is one of those things that people can struggle with early on. Try installing the barrel and just one wheel. See how it spins. Then add the 3rd wheel and see how it spins, then add the 4rth wheel and check it again.
Finally add the escape wheel.
This method of adding in one wheel at a time is how you troubleshoot problems with the power train.
Practice practice practice.
@@watchrepairtutorials Thank you for your help and advice. I really do appreciate learned folks like you who help us inept ones.
I use a old oiler as a probe. I don’t know if that’s right. It’s just what I had on me.
They work perfect.
Just wanted to say thanks for keeping the craft and artistry alive and for making new people interested in horology.
Thank you very much my friend. There’s ever anything you need. Please don’t hesitate to ask.
@@watchrepairtutorials I really appreciate that. I have been interested in watches for a very long time, but only recently began the journey of doing it myself... Going to flea markets and buying pieces, taking them apart, and just figuring it out. Your videos are the reason I have been able to avoid any major fuck-ups that grenade anything I can handle. I'm a disabled vet and this is something that I can do freely and it calms me down (until I shoot something into oblivion and I can't find it). I have actually gotten another veteran friend of mine into this as well and it's just been awesome every step of the way. But yeah, I really love what you are doing brother and any/all advice is very welcomed and appreciated.
@@VWJOEYNEL first let me thank you for the sacrifices you and your family made while you protected our freedoms. I really mean that.
Flea market finds are great, but they’re really hard to learn on because you’re always fighting many problems, which is tough to do if you don’t yet have the experience to be able to recognize what’s going on. My best advice to you would be to pick up an ST 36 move it like the ones that I use in the beginning videos and use that to practice on. In order to be able to fix something you have to understand the way it’s supposed to be. This is the exact same way that watchmaking schools start new students except they use the ETA 6497.
The goal is to be able to completely disassemble it, wash all the parts, put it back together, lubricated it and have it before at least as good as it did before you started. Once you can do that, then you’re ready to move on to phase 2.
Alex great videos l have a question for you.l have a omega 564 l have cleaned all the parts and burnished the pivots with my Jacot tool on assembly the balance spring was centred between the guide pins as far as l could see started the watch and found the watch gaining 650 seconds a day on my timegrapher machine and have run out of space to adjust it anymore. It has a new mainspring in the watch and I have ordered another spring just in case every thing on the balance seems to be okay no rubbing and demag the movement I hope this question hasn’t gone on to long looking forward to your reply many thanks Pete
what's the amplitude at a full wind?
Thank you for the awesome tutorial. Is there any added benefit to the barrel bridge including the center wheel pivot (like with the watch in your video)? I only ask because I've noticed some watch makers prefer to build their watches with the center wheel pivot as part of a train bridge separate from the barrel bridge.
Not that I can think of. I think it’s more of a design issue.
Ok thank you for your answer. Truly appreciated. I still have to wonder though why some watches are made with more expensive individual bridging if it doesn't have any effect on anything.@@watchrepairtutorials
@@danielrichter2452 for the same reason certain manufacturers spend time black polishing a part or decoration on the bridges. It doesn’t make the watch run better and in most cases can’t be seen by anyone.
Why do you loosen every single screw slightly before the final tightening? I noticed you do it with every screw like that, so there must be a good reason?
When I put the screws in initially, I'm just securing the bridge in position, then I checked the wheels again to make sure everything is free spinning.
The reason I back off or reverse the screws is, I want to feel the resistance of the screw to the part then I turn the screw the width of the screw slot for the final tightening.
That's how you know the screw is tight enough.
@@watchrepairtutorials That's a very good method indeed. Thank you!
what is the tool you are using to point , looks like a needle in a peg?
Its a needle in a peg. A sewing needle in a piece of pegwood. sharpened and polished
Escape is steel except for on newer tissot movements then the escapement is plastic SMH
I can`t do in anywere on old watch Pobeda 2602
Try this. Install the bridge with just the center wheel, then with the center wheel and 3rd wheel, then add 4th wheel and then finally the escape wheel.
Make sure when you are bring the plate over the pivots that the wheels are all standing straight.
When you are aligning the wheels make sure that the 3rd wheel in, the check the 4th then the escape wheel.
Use a probe to move the pivots and with good magnification look through the pivots to see where the pivot is.
Hope this helps
What can create a problem where the seconds hand is acting sparatic. During a 60sec circle it sometimes stops and then caches up and works normal, untill it does it again, few times every circle. It is omega cal 1002. I watched the gears under a microscope. the seconds hand gear s theeth have the same problem as the hand. It was happening even before i servised it.The difference is , the watch is working perfect now. I did not oil the seconds hand post. And i did not remove the canon pinion, as it seats on a center will. The watch is working perfect atherwise. I do not know how to fix it. May be to change gears. ??????????
It sounds like there is damage to the teeth of the 4rth wheel or the pinion of the 3rd wheel.
Inspect them under magnification
Ah these pivots....seems like if you even look at them the wrong way they will break! Fustrating as hell but we never give up, do we!?!
Never give up Lars, ever give up
@@watchrepairtutorials Festina divers watch.......my first succesful disassembly and assembly! When that balance wheel started swinging was a real rush! No I am not giving up now! Onto learning cleaning and oiling next time!😎
@@larslindegren5632 learn, apply, learn and apply. You can do this.
Oh no!!! I broke the pinions on the top and bottom of my escapement wheel 😭💔
Don’t tighten your bridge down until testing that the wheels are spinning.
That sucks. Maybe this video will help for next time.
Pressure on Plate Way Less than You Think...lol
😜
Great explanation and tips. Thanks!
Thanks Mike