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Stuck springbar tip...still stuck...

Archer
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nkhandekar nkhandekar
I want to say that I admire M'Bob for his careful consideration of what is generally considered expendable. I work in a museum and when we find original "expendable" items from from a few hundred years ago, its a good day.

This kind of care made my day.

Cool, can you advise how to restore this original O-ring?



😉

On a serious note, I agree that keeping something like this spring bar may be a valuable thing to some (there are the "original yellow seal" fans after all). This is why I return all parts I replace on watches to the original owner, yes including old springs bars, and broken O-rings. I don't decide what is valuable to someone else, even if I don't consider it valuable.

Having said that, trying to make an old stuck spring bar operational is a level I've not yet seen in this hobby, so I think many here are seeing some humour in this, even if M'Bob isn't.

I keep joking that one day someone is going to ask me to filter out the cleaning solution in my ultrasonic tank, to preserve the "original" dirt that was in the bracelet and case...but it is only half joking...
 
Larry S
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A spring bar is supposed to, well, spring. If it doesn’t, your watch falls to the sidewalk. Hopefully you catch it.
 
JwRosenthal
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I have a few of these that I’ve gotten on old watches
1596AA42-AB5B-454C-ACE8-8E3418E0E39E.jpeg


I actually like them and try to save them when I can as they work on some of the odd ball sized lugs.
 
cvalue13
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@M'Bob just go ahead and tell these chuckleheads the big reveal.

For months, @M'Bob has been building a 1/5th scale Apollo Lunar Module using only repurposed vintage Omega watch pieces, gorilla glue, and WD40. (This spring bar, if operational, will make for the perfect Module hatch actuator.)

THEN when finally revealed, all these highly rational life forms will suddenly transform into sentimental "I'll-pay-whatever-you-want" weepy-eyed slobs, falling over themselves to procure one for their bedside tables.
 
M'Bob
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cvalue13 cvalue13
@M'Bob just go ahead and tell these chuckleheads the big reveal.

For months, @M'Bob has been building a 1/5th scale Apollo Lunar Module using only repurposed vintage Omega watch pieces, gorilla glue, and WD40. (This spring bar, if operational, will make for the perfect Module hatch actuator.)

THEN when finally revealed, all these highly rational life forms will suddenly transform into sentimental "I'll-pay-whatever-you-want" weepy-eyed slobs, falling over themselves to procure one for their bedside tables.

C’mon, man! I told you this in confidence!
 
blufinz52
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M'Bob M'Bob
This is precisely why people get turned off here.

Some people just can't help themselves.
 
RI Omega Fan
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M'Bob M'Bob
This is precisely why people get turned off here. I simply asked for advice on how to free up the tip of a spring bar. I really don’t give a fυck if you, or any one else here thinks it’s a waste of time, not worthy of my time, dumb to peruse, easily replaced, original, or an insane adventure.

Thanks to one person who answered a simple question with a simple answe:
M’Bob, if you want to feel some love, please know that I think your one man show over on the “Best (Real) Headlines Ever” thread is hilarious. Keep ‘em coming!
 
Engee
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Archer Archer
I keep joking that one day someone is going to ask me to filter out the cleaning solution in my ultrasonic tank, to preserve the "original" dirt that was in the bracelet and case...but it is only half joking...

You mean you don't have the skill to clean a watch while leaving the original dirt attached to it? And yet people here speak very highly of your ability as a watchmaker. I guess I need to re-evaluate.
 
Archer
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Engee Engee
You mean you don't have the skill to clean a watch while leaving the original dirt attached to it? And yet people here speak very highly of your ability as a watchmaker. I guess I need to re-evaluate.

Yes, please do re-evaluate...😉
 
Archer
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Engee Engee
You mean you don't have the skill to clean a watch while leaving the original dirt attached to it? And yet people here speak very highly of your ability as a watchmaker. I guess I need to re-evaluate.

You just gave me an idea...take some new dirt, colour it like old dirt you find on watches, and use that to coat the watches after service!

The only problem will be the guys screaming that they hate the new "faux-dirt!" trend...

😁
 
JwRosenthal
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Back in my vintage BMW days, a common malady was the relay based window switches- they were notoriously fussy. There were all kinds of tips and tricks on how to break them open and clean/repair them. Used “working” switches would sell on eBay for $75-150.
I got the part number from the ETK and went to my local dealer, asked them if the had any and the parts guy came back with 4 in boxes- $25 each....still available from BMW.
When I sold the car I put the originals back in the glove box- along with 2 brand new ones in the box.
I get it- trust me, I get it.
 
Engee
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Archer Archer
You just gave me an idea...take some new dirt, colour it like old dirt you find on watches, and use that to coat the watches after service!

The only problem will be the guys screaming that they hate the new "faux-dirt!" trend...

😁
We'll soon have a thread on here called "Worst re-spoils".
 
DaveK
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I’m going to go out on a limb and say that many people have misunderstood many people. I’m just going to have another coffee now, and hope that everyone has an amazing day. Like REALLY amazing, complete with winning lotto tickets, calls from old friends and finding a $20 bill in your jacket pocket

☕
 
Observer
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JwRosenthal JwRosenthal
Back in my vintage BMW days, a common malady was the relay based window switches- they were notoriously fussy. There were all kinds of tips and tricks on how to break them open and clean/repair them. Used “working” switches would sell on eBay for $75-150.
I got the part number from the ETK and went to my local dealer, asked them if the had any and the parts guy came back with 4 in boxes- $25 each....still available from BMW.
When I sold the car I put the originals back in the glove box- along with 2 brand new ones in the box.
I get it- trust me, I get it.
I thought vintage BMW windows had hand cranks. Getting old...
 
M'Bob
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nkhandekar nkhandekar
I want to say that I admire M'Bob for his careful consideration of what is generally considered expendable. I work in a museum and when we find original "expendable" items from from a few hundred years ago, its a good day.

What we learn from finding overlooked parts is that no one has bothered to work out how to solve related problems (its easier to throw out and replace the part), and its up to us to do the work. My suggestion, M'Bob, is to get a bunch of spring bars and experiment, cut them up, really understand them and once you know what you are doing, then apply that knowledge to your problem. Good luck with it.

This kind of care made my day.

I re-read your post twice, and it gave me an idea to try: the one end is pretty much caked with gunk that I can’t get through. I’m guessing that when the spring is in its normal position (I.e., tip fully extended), there is a relative seal at the perimeter.

So..rather than just soaking the whole thing in penetrating oil or putting it through a few more passes in the ultrasonic machine, which seems to be doing nothing, maybe I’ll try depressing the end opposite the stuck side, which opens it somewhat, and then spraying penetrating lubricant from that end, hoping it starts working from the inside. We’ll see. Thanks.
 
SkunkPrince
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M'Bob M'Bob
I re-read your post twice, and it gave me an idea to try: the one end is pretty much caked with gunk that I can’t get through. I’m guessing that when the spring is in its normal position (I.e., tip fully extended), there is a relative seal at the perimeter.

So..rather than just soaking the whole thing in penetrating oil or putting it through a few more passes in the ultrasonic machine, which seems to be doing nothing, maybe I’ll try depressing the end opposite the stuck side, which opens it somewhat, and then spraying penetrating lubricant from that end, hoping it starts working from the inside. We’ll see. Thanks.

I suggest soaking in alcohol or acetone or vinegar. Start with the vinegar and leave it overnight.
 
JwRosenthal
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SkunkPrince SkunkPrince
I suggest soaking in alcohol or acetone or vinegar. Start with the vinegar and leave it overnight.
WD40- that’s my new answer for everything. The duct tape of solvents 🙄
 
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