Clean+Lube of slow speed escapement: Do's and Dont's?

[bernard_L]

When servicing a Compur or similar shutter with slow speeds too slow or stalling altogether, need to remove dried-out lubricant using Ronsonol or similar. And yes I have that expensive Swiss-made Moebius oil. How to handle the slow-speed escapement? If left in place, cannot re-lubricate the pivots on the bottom side. If removed, I lose the adjustment of the excentric pivot, and maybe other adjustments, like how much is the spiral spring wound. Sure, there are those who advise that these shutters can run dry, but that is not the manufacturer's recommendation.

Any other suggestions? Thank you.

 

[BMbikerider]

To clean out old dried lubricant I would prefer something that can be bought from car accessory shops. In UK it is called brake and clutch cleaner. It should be used in a well ventilated area but that really moves any dried grease and dirt. Afterwards all bearings wil be left perfectly clean with no residue and perfectly dry. It evaporates in literally seconds. Then lubrication as you wish. I have successfully restored a working mechanism of a 19th Century German Black Forest Clock with this cleaner spray and then lubricated the bearings very sparingly with watchmakers oil and a needle syringe fitted with a very fine needle - something like a .25mm diameter. It is very easy to control the amount of oil and the drops are very small.

 

[BrianShaw]

While those shortcuts can work (I've done all of the above too!), there's nothing better than a full disassembly, cleaning and relubrication... whether shutter, clock, watch, or

Otherwise one loses the opportunity to inspect pivots and pivot holes for damage, polish them (or bush them), etc.

 

[bernard_L]

Maybe the main point(s) in my question got lost in the rest of my original post (too long?).

• Is there a way to do a shutter CLA without having to re-adjust from scratch the slow speed escapement?

 

[BMbikerider]

While those shortcuts can work (I've done all of the above too!), there's nothing better than a full disassembly, cleaning and relubrication... whether shutter, clock, watch, or

Otherwise one loses the opportunity to inspect pivots and pivot holes for damage, polish them (or bush them), etc.

I have done the cleaning stage very successfuly as well on vehicle speedometers, both electronic and mechanical type. It even restored the accuracy of both types by using this spray-on cleaner. For a sealed unit that is not generally dismantled or opened up, the quantity of detritus that gets washed out is remarkable

 

[BrianShaw]

Maybe the main point(s) in my question got lost in the rest of my original post (too long?).

• Is there a way to do a shutter CLA without having to re-adjust from scratch the slow speed escapement?

Sometimes but not always. It depends.

Sorry, but that's the best available and correct answer.

 

[BrianShaw]

I have done the cleaning stage very successfuly as well on vehicle speedometers, both electronic and mechanical type. It even resored the accuracy of both types by using this spray on cleaner. For a sealed unit that is not generally dismantled or opened up, the quantity of detritus that gets washed out is remarkable

Yup. And I'll add mecchanical light meters - Weston, in my case - and aneroid baramoters to the list too.

 

[shutterfinger]

My go to cleaner http://www.homedepot.com/p/CRC-11-oz-QD-Electronic-Cleaner-05103/205021975 also available at auto parts stores and hardware stores.

Synchro Compur delay timer spring at full compression.