With just a brief read of the discussions, I can see there are a lot of experienced people in the discussion group.
I have just engaged in the hobby and enjoy the challenges.
As a former toolmaker, I am used to metalworking practices. But as I attempt to repair my first balance staff, I promptly bend the hairspring, and am stifled at the small scale of attachments and removal/installation procedures.
Would appreciate just being pointed in the right direction to finding suggestions or hints of experienced watchmakers.
As a second question: To simply clean and oil a vintage watch, do most repairmen remove the jewel settings?
Thanks in advance to any comments.

Welcome Tom! Pretty new myself, but having a ball. Lot's of information around, but it can be a little overwhelming if not intimidating. Your metal working background will help, but as you've already found things are a bit different at the lilliputian scale. Just be patient and you'll figure it all out.

Henry Fried's book is a good place to start. I started with the TimeZone classes, but now would recommend Bob Tascione's videos, which for the money can't be beat.

Good luck and enjoy!

Tom, We all remain "newbie's" when it comes to understanding and rectifying the foibles foisted upon these antique works of art which we are supposed to know how to disassemble, clean, oil reassemble, test and re-calibrate back to working condition.

I took a watch repair course in Ventura that added immeasurably to my machinist background when it came to dealing with these things.

Hands-on is the way to get started. I will e-mail you my phone # in case you want to discuss any questions.

Hi Tom, there are some videos posted on YouTube, check out a guy called Bunnspecial.

Gary

Tom from Ebay?

Thanks to all of you for the quick replies. A lot of useful info in the span of a day. Since I posted, I reassembled a 12S Elgin, and had no parts left over. Found that the balance assembly was the biggest challenge. The hair spring stud was easy to get out, but getting back in was a ton harder!

And "Yes" Andy. Tom from EBay. Thats a huge help.

Well welcome Tom, nice to see you here. Great guys, amazing information, enjoy the lessons you will receive.

Welcome to the club Tom,

I believe that there are some watch repair videos floating around the site in the hands of a member. If i remember correctly, it's a use it and pass them along deal where you get the videos from the member, use them, and then send them along to the next person that asks. Problem is, I am having a hard time finding the thread for it.

Does anyone currently know the whereabouts of the videos?

Again, welcome. You will get more information than you could ever retain here.

This may be it Videos

Now back to the hockey game

If you enjoyed the elgin. You will really get a kick when you work on a Waltham 16sz.

Tom, remove the jewels that have cap jewels on them, to clean.