Cleaning and Oiling
Two methods are used in cleaning watches. The first that we shall consider is the older method generally referred to as the hand methond. The second involves the use of the cleaning machine.
The hand method
In using the hand method we proceed as follows: After taking the movement apart string the larger pieces on a write loop, place the pieces in benzine, benzole, or any other good cleaning preparation for several minutes. Remove and wash pieces in hot water, using castile soap and a soft brush. Rinse in clean water, dip in cyanide of potassium, rinse again in clean water, immerse in alcohol, and dry in warm sawdust. The same treatment is given to the wheels and other small prieces that can be strung on the wire loop, but separately, after the plates have been cleaned. The other small pieces such as the pallet fork and the jewels, may be held against a pieece of hard pith or cork with a pair of tweezers especially prepared for the purpose and brushed thoroughly with a fine toothbrush previously dipped in bezole. After being brushed, the pieces are dipped in alcohol and allowed to dry on a sheet of watch paper. The balance must be cleaned separately. The usual method is to dip the balance first in benzole, then in water followed by cyanide, again in water and finally in alcohol, after which it is dried in sawdust. The parts are now dry and the jewels should be rubbed with two pieces of pegwood, one which has been pointed so as to go through the holes and another that has been shaped to fit the cups of the jewels.
The watch having been cleaned, the assembling and oiling are next in order. Certain parts are oiled as the watch is put together. For example, the main spring is oiled in the barrel with clock oil. The winding mechanism, the escape wheel, the pallet jewels, and the hole jewels where cap jewels are used in connection are also oiled in the process of assembling. The traing is oiled after the watch is assembled, also the center post that carries the cannon pinion. The roller jewel is not oiled.
The watch-cleaning machine
The newer method of cleaning watches with the cleaning machine has some advantages. It eliminates the use of cyanide. Instead, an especially prepared cleaning solution is used, together with water and a drying solution. The machine is particularly satisfactory for the cleaning of small pieces like the pallet fork, the jewels, and screws and has the further advantage of eliminationg the use of sawdust.
Briefly, the procedure is as follows: Place the parts in the basket. There are provided several small spaces for the small pieces and one large space for the plates. Lower the basket into the jar containing the cleaning solution and allow the motor to run for several minutes at a moderate speed. Throw off the cleaning solution by raising the basket sufficiently to clear the solution. Lower the basket in a jar containing water and rinse off the cleaning solution. Next, lower the basket in the drying solution and run the motor as before. Finally, allow the basket to spin in a receptacle containing a lighted electric light bulb for a quick drying of the watch parts. Thus the cleaning job is compledted.
