Hi Folks, I am a fairly novice watch repairer. I have spent the best part of over four hours solid, trying to locate the miniscule tapered collet that holds the end of the hairspring on a 16 size, 15 jewel Elgin pocket watch after having to shorten the spring slightly due to slow running.....and I have not succeeded!!!!. Does anyone know the best way this is carried out please?..........thanks, Steve.

Hello Steve, first off you never shorten a hairspring on those, if it's running slow, something else is wrong with the watch, if you need some help email, I also have replacement hairsprings for those, but then you have to make sure the movement is clean and ready to time out, by either washers of timing screws, but never by cutting down the hairspring...thanks Paul, P&a watch and clock repair.

Hi , my last resort is to "comb " a magnet over the area

Only thing with the magnet Kevin is that brass doesn't stick to a magnet....

You could have taken some weight off the balance screws.