I try to avoid needing to use this, but as I used it this morning, I thought it might be fun to have a game. Mr Archer and any other professional watchmakers aren’t allowed to answer unless no one else can. So, what am I and what is my purpose?

 

A rociprocating Macguffin articulator

 

Adjustment tool for a Fetzer valve.

 

That is a very correct-sounding answer, and maybe in some cultures that is what it is called. But no.

 

Hand straightener? Handglätter

Don't know if any lume would survive though.

 

Can be used for warming a pallet for adjusting or re-setting a pallet stone, or for heating a wheel arbor prior to straightening a bent pivot. The item is clamped between the jaws, then the “tail” heated to the required temperature. When straightens a bent pivot, the tool acts a a heat sink to hold the temperature during straightening a bent pivot. After heating, steel arbors must be allowed to cool slowly. If it cools too fast, it will temper, and the steel hardens and the pivot will break.

 

Pallet stone warmer and no, I have no idea how to use one...

 

Very nice. So, Canuck, you have set pallet stones and roller table jewels? And you have annealed bent parts? Very impressive. I've never used it to straighten anything bent before. It's frustrating enough setting those tiny stones.

 

It's a rock hammer. For polishing and shaping rocks. I'm going to make a chess set with it whilst gazing purposefully at my enormous poster of Rita Hayworth...

 

That answer deserves to be correct. YOU WIN!

 

YYYYYYYESSSSSS!! What do I win??

 

If you want to see the tool used for warming a pallet to melt the shellac that holds the jewel, the tool is used in this clock repair video. The guy calls it a roller table warmer, but it has other uses.

 

HA... yer just guessing!

 

Care to comment? I have used such a tool fo both purposes mentioned. I suggest you add such information as you have to the thread!

 

I have, unfortunately, used the tool to warm forks and balances/roller tables to liquify that lovely shellac, just not ever used it to anneal, which is what it is sometimes called, an annealing tool. So, Canuck, are you doing this work just on your own watches or are you a pro? You know I specifically forbid pros from playing. And a video showing CLOCK repair does not begin to give the flavor of the size of the jewels used for watch repair. It is a whole other game. Even working on pocket watches seems like recreation compared to watch movements. I have probably lost a hundred of those tiny jewels/stones while trying to install them.

And I think Fritz was just yanking your chain, not doubting your skills.

 

It’s a Langstrom 7” Gangley wrench for use on a Finley sprocket.

 

Sounds like part of a Monty Python skit. Is it?

 

Steve Martin

 

Oh my God, I thought Steve Martin was the funniest thing ever back then. On Monday mornings after he was on SNL (before it was called SNL) we were all "We are two wild and crazy guys." Endlessly. In my defense it IS a watchmaking tool.

 

This is close enough. But it's the pallet fork or balance that you warm. Trying to clamp one of those tiny stones would make the job completely impossible.