Waltham second hand

[digitaltripper]

Hello all,
First, thanks to Randy for his response to Radium hands. Left them as I found them.

I am working on a Waltham A13A 20 jewel aircraft clock. Hands came off but second hand is very tight. I am afraid to just pull on it as it is so tight. Has anyone worked on one of these? Does the hand just pull of or is it screwed or??

Jim

[Bob Tascione]

Hi Jim,
If I recall correctly the sweep second hand is just a tight press fit to help prevent slippage when fly back function is used. I think I have some info on that in a book or Horological Times mag somewhere around here. I'll try to dig it up for you.

Bob

[Randy]

Jim.
I looked at a bunch of these on line,..along with variants.

They all "appear" to be press fit as Bob says...I'm sure his research will verify.

Here's a shot of one with the hands removed..looks like that second hand press fits to a shaft that has a rectangular shape, and that makes sense as then it wouldn't break loose when it was reset ( flyback ).
https://picclick.com/Waltham-A-13A-1-20 ... id=1&pid=1

Also..I saw another link that stated the hands came in various coatings. some luminous, some just painted white....so now, I'm not sure you actually have radium hands on this one....

Just food for thought !
Best

Randy

[digitaltripper]

Thank you Bob. Any info you have is appricated ! No the hands on this one are not radium. The hands on the previous Wittnaure clock are Radium as told by my Geiger counter.

Jim

[Bob Tascione]

You bet Jim,
Looks like we're both logged in right now. Yes from what I'm finding they are all press fit.
Quick question, does your clock have 3 or 4 hands?
Bob

[digitaltripper]

4 hands, and the second ( stopwatch hand ) is on there tight. I'll try to upload son pictures...hang on if you can...brb

Jim

[Bob Tascione]

Ok. Some pics will be great. Thanks
I'll be here.
Bob

[digitaltripper]

Here are some pictures

[digitaltripper]

This clock has a broken balance staff too. Checked eBay but did not find the staff.

Also asked Waltham clock and they are not helpful at all.

I have some staffs that I can look and see if I have one that matches. Ialso have a lathe so I could make if needed but I would like just to be able to put it in and be done.

If anyone knows where I may purchase a staff from that would be great.

Jim

[Bob Tascione]

Perfect Jim, those pics help a bunch.
I think but may be wrong here that the rectangular seat that Randy mentioned is for the hand that's placed under the seconds hands ie: the third hand up from the dial. In any case I'm pretty sure the hand you are having trouble with is friction fit onto a round shaft. But...I'm guessing here more than anything and Randy may be correct about that. Either way we both appear to agree that it would be friction fit.
We will know the true config. after you get them off so please let us know how it goes.

Thanks for posting those pics and good luck Jim,
Bob

[Bob Tascione]

Ok, I'll check on the staff for you and will let you know what I find out. I would be surprised if you couldn't find one somewhere though. Got to be some around somewhere since these clocks were in high production in their day.

Bob

[digitaltripper]

Ok so I removed the hairspring roller jewel etc and found that the hub is blued which indicates, as far as I know, that the staff is a friction fit. Here is a picture:

[Bob Tascione]

Yes Jim that's definitely a Waltham friction staff. I'll have to try and cross ref. it when tomorrow when I can access my balance staff charts.

Bob

[digitaltripper]

Thanks for your help Bob...BTH the hand is friction fit and I got it removed. If you have a bestfit reference (I have Bestfit III Encyclopedia part 1swiss and Hamilton) I have a box full of bestfit staffs if that helps but no way to tell what # to use...

Thank you again....talk to you later

Jim

[Bob Tascione]

Hi Jim,
Yes I have Bestfit as well as some Waltham guides and staff charts. Problem is that I fumigated my shop today and don't want to go in until tomorrow morning. We live just a feet from the Pacific ocean and get lot's of moisture in the air which translates into 'TERRIBLE TERMITES' so this is an annual event for me. I'll be able to look the staff up first thing in the morning.
Hey just wondering, what type of hole is in the second hand? Is it round or was it a broached rectangle?

Bob

[Bob Tascione]

Hey Jim you're right. So far not much info coming up for me either.
Got to run out for a while but when I return I'll look further into finding more details about the staff.
I ran across someone online stating that Ofrei had some parts, staffs etc. for these clocks but it has been several years since he posted that. Might give them a call though if you haven't already done so as much of what they have isn't listed on their site. Might get lucky there. If you need to salvage the staff from an old parts movement then there seems to be quite a few of those available online. Also check out this bay listing of balances. Not a bad way to go either especially if you have any future plans on possibly working with these clocks as these would be good to have in the parts bin. Here's the link: https://www.ebay.ca/itm/8-Complete-Bala ... rmvSB=true
Ok, I'll be back later today and will try getting some more info.

Bob

[digitaltripper]

Seconds arbor is round. Waltham actually got back to me via email and told me the balance staff is 25.00 so I think I am going to get it from them.

Thanks

Jim

[Bob Tascione]

That's good to hear Jim.
Did they give you a staff number by any chance? I would like to have that for my records if possible.
Also did you find it at waltham.ch or walthamclocks.com or another?
edit: Ok is see now it's probably walthamclocks.com They mention providing parts for aircraft clocks. Good to know that you received an email back from them. Good resource thanks Jim!
Bob

[digitaltripper]

Hey Bob...It was Walthamclocks, did not get part number yet as I placed a bid on the wheels on that link you gave. Gonna wait to see if I win that..

Jim