Notes on Escapement Adjustment

From American Horologist and Jeweler magazine, August 1949

Notes on Escapement Adjustment
By HOMER BARKUS

The many and varied methods of "guessing" on escapement adjustment are truly amazing.


A great number of the so-called methods are seemingly based on having first learned to draw the different types of lever escapements. This drawing may be drawn with accuracy to minutes and some perhaps to seconds; after which the repairman resorts to a wiggle to determine a proper clearance in a watch escapement. If one intends to design and build escapements it is essential that he understand mechanical drawing and mathematics, but for the man who does not build it is unnecessary.


Some will hold the lever against the banking, then bring the roller jewel into the fork slot to point where it contacts, holding the balance wheel so that the roller jewel will keep this position as nearly as possiblethey then shake the lever. The position of the banking pin alone, with the "skill of guessing" on the amount of shake becomes the ruler or mike gauge in this method of guessing on the clearance-it really is nothing more than guessing how far the banking pin is from the line of center.


Others will endeavor to hold the roller jewel on the line of center (which is but a poor guess), and then try to judge by the distance the heel of the escapement tooth laps the lifting angle of the pallet stone. It is so simple to accept a guess as to the line of center, and if it is off a little, well, you guess again-arguing that you just missed it a trifle, and to forego the accepted first guess for a second one.


One of the most amazing spectacles of patience is witnessed in men at the bench who do not know, and do not try to find a source of knowledge-who sit and struggle for hours - guessing and blundering away precious and valuable time. If a fraction of this time was used in studying good books they would spare themselves these lost and confusing hours of guessing. Time lost in guessing and blundering would pay for many good books or courses, giving ample time for study. The problem is-that many men do not understand the books they read. None but those who have had practice in studying can read and digest what they read.

If one would start at the beginning learn the message contained in a few lines and digest these thoroughly, and would concentrate on these studies as industriously and as long as they cling to their blundering guess-work methods they would advance rapidly in the field of proper and acceptable watch repairing.


If one is to successfully progress in his chosen field or vocation it is well to diligently study and prove the teachings and methods of practical research authors.


Many poorly made watches, and also fine watches, that have been ruined beyond repair may not pay the workman for the time necessary to correct them beyond a running condition. Many such are accepted for repair because of the need of the work and money.