Preparing for Final Reassembly
Before completing the final reassembly, ensure all wheels stand perpendicular and that any temporary acrylic or perspex top plates used for demonstration are removed. The movement must be clean, stable, and ready for the installation of the remaining components.
Securing the Count Lever and Maintenance Cam
Hold the count lever in a deep slot
Place the count lever into a deep slot on the count wheel and secure it with masking tape, Blu Tack, or Rodico to prevent movement.
Align the maintenance cam
Position the maintenance cam so its pin rests directly over the slot. This ensures proper engagement during strike setup.
Installing the Warning Wheel
Position the warning pin
Place the warning wheel so the warning pin rests on the face of the warning lever.
Lift the plate slightly
Loosen the pillar nut and raise the top plate just enough to align the warning wheel pivot with its bushing.
Seat the pivot
Guide the pivot into the bushing while ensuring other pivots remain seated.
Installing the Escape Wheel
Align the escape wheel pivot
Insert the escape wheel pivot into its bushing. Use a small amount of Blu Tack to stabilize it if needed.
Use minimal tac
Only a small piece of tac is required to hold the wheel upright. Excess material can make adjustments difficult.
Installing the Fly
Insert the long upper pivot
Place the long upper pivot of the fly into its bushing first.
Seat the lower pivot
Lift the plate slightly and slide the lower pivot into place.
Verify alignment
Ensure the fly rotates freely without rubbing the plates.
Checking Wheel Freedom
Remove all tac and tape
Take off any Blu Tack or masking tape used during assembly.
Test wheel rotation
Spin the time-side wheels and confirm smooth, unrestricted movement.
Correct minor plate bends
If rotation is uneven, adjust the plate slightly to remove tension.
Installing the Hammer Return Spring
Wrap the spring around the back plate
Position the hammer return spring so it wraps around the back plate and engages the hammer lever.
Use pliers for control
The spring may be tight; pliers provide better grip than tweezers.
Verify hammer return
Lift and release the hammer to ensure it snaps back to its resting position.
Installing the Count Lever Return Spring
Locate the fine spring
The count lever spring is extremely fine and may be difficult to see.
Position behind the plate
Ensure the spring sits behind the plate and applies tension to return the count lever.
Test lever return
Flick the count lever; it should return sharply to its resting position.
Installing the Crutch and Pallets
Install the pallets
Place the pallets onto their post and secure them with the retaining lever.
Insert the suspension spring
Feed the suspension spring through the crutch and position it on its post.
Verify escape wheel action
Rotate the escape wheel to confirm proper pallet engagement.
Final Checks
Ensure all pivots are seated, all springs are functioning, and the escape wheel turns freely. The movement is now ready for pendulum installation and final testing.
Common Mistakes
Misaligned warning pin, incorrect spring placement, overuse of tac, or failing to remove temporary supports before testing.
Troubleshooting
Escape wheel does not turn
Check for misaligned pivots or excess tac obstructing movement.
Hammer does not return
Verify the hammer return spring is wrapped correctly around the back plate.
Count lever does not reset
Ensure the fine count lever spring is positioned behind the plate and applying tension.
Fly does not spin freely
Confirm the fly pivots are fully seated and not rubbing the plates.
FAQs
Why secure the count lever during assembly?
Holding the count lever in a deep slot prevents accidental movement while aligning other components.
Why install the fly last?
The fly must be aligned relative to the warning wheel and maintenance cam, which must be installed first.
How do I know the springs are installed correctly?
Both the hammer and count lever should snap back to their resting positions when flicked.
Why does the escape wheel bind?
A pivot may be misaligned or the plate may need slight adjustment.
When should the pendulum be installed?
After the movement is fully assembled and the escape wheel turns freely.
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