Inverting a balance/cock assembly...safely.

[Fergus]

I can turn a Seiko balance/cock assembly over without too much of an issue using a pair of tweezers but my latest Smiths project had a long hairspring which made the balance/cock unwieldy. So I devised this technique.

1. Length of smooth planed wood approx - 7cm x 1.5cm x 0.5cm.
2. Length of clear cellophane - 7cm x 1.5cm

Place balance/cock assembly in the middle of 1.
Lay 2, centred, over the above.
Place both forefingers either side of the balance/cock and press down trapping the assembly against 1. Now bringing both thumbs into play, to grip 1, lift it, turn over and place down on raised item. I'm using a rubber block which is about 2.5cm high. Remove 1 and hey presto inverted balance/cock.

[inboost]

Nice idea Fergus ! I am working on a Bulova 6BM at the moment and nearly had a catastrophic harispring issue just trying to turn the wee thing over. The boot was a bit cocked and I didn't see that so when turning it over it tried to slip past and jammed in the space between the pin and the boot tip.