Making Steel Pin Pallets for the Brocot Escapement
Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2016 2:26 pmHey everyone, I recently had a Ansonia steel case mantle clock with the visible Brocot escapement come thru the shop. I decided to make a video showing how I go about replacing the worn pin pallets on this Brocot escapement. I find it rather interesting how fine brass escape wheel teeth will wear grooves into hardened steel pallets.
Grit and grime will become embedded into the brass escape wheel teeth, then, acting like sandpaper will slowly scrape away at the steel, over time leaving grooves. When the grooves become deep enough it will hinder the function of this delicate escapement leaving us no choice but to replace the pin pallets.
Many of the visible Brocot escapements will have jewels as pallets, reducing friction and giving a pleasing look, while steel pin pallets were generally used on the escapements that were hidden. Though not always as we see here.
We will investigate the 40-40-10-10 "rule of thumb" that is used by many horologists to determine pin pallet sizes whether steel or jeweled, we will also use some calculating to help prove this rule of thumb, and or show a way to determine the pallet size. I show some video of my machining process, removal of the original pallets. In part 2 I finish the job by installing, testing and adjusting the pin pallets then finally running the clock movement. A few before and after photos at the end.
In this video I record the process I use.... it is by no means the only way to manufacture replacement steel pin pallets. With a few simple tools....file, saw, pin vise, hammer, punch and torch and a little ingenuity you can create a quality new pin pallet.
Also check out http://LearnTimeOnline.com and browse around there for new and interesting clock and watch information
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BACK TO THE FORUM INDEX PAGE; http://clockrepairtips.com/forum/index.php
Grit and grime will become embedded into the brass escape wheel teeth, then, acting like sandpaper will slowly scrape away at the steel, over time leaving grooves. When the grooves become deep enough it will hinder the function of this delicate escapement leaving us no choice but to replace the pin pallets.
Many of the visible Brocot escapements will have jewels as pallets, reducing friction and giving a pleasing look, while steel pin pallets were generally used on the escapements that were hidden. Though not always as we see here.
We will investigate the 40-40-10-10 "rule of thumb" that is used by many horologists to determine pin pallet sizes whether steel or jeweled, we will also use some calculating to help prove this rule of thumb, and or show a way to determine the pallet size. I show some video of my machining process, removal of the original pallets. In part 2 I finish the job by installing, testing and adjusting the pin pallets then finally running the clock movement. A few before and after photos at the end.
In this video I record the process I use.... it is by no means the only way to manufacture replacement steel pin pallets. With a few simple tools....file, saw, pin vise, hammer, punch and torch and a little ingenuity you can create a quality new pin pallet.
Also check out http://LearnTimeOnline.com and browse around there for new and interesting clock and watch information
BACK TO THE FORUM INDEX PAGE; http://clockrepairtips.com/forum/index.php
BACK TO THE FORUM INDEX PAGE; http://clockrepairtips.com/forum/index.php