alance staff in wax have been
described and illustrated; the reader may take his choice. The turning
and finishing of the other end of the staff is performed as previously
described. That portion on which the hair-spring collet goes should be
turned to nearly the proper size, making due allowance for the grinding
and polishing that is to come. The balance seat should be slightly
undercut, so that the balance can be driven on tightly and all riveting
dispensed with. The size for the pivot can be determined from its jewel,
as previously described. Finish the ends of the pivots flat and round the
corners off slightly; and right here comes a point worthy of
consideration in all watch work. Leave no absolutely square corners in
any of your work, but round them off very slightly. This may seem a very
little thing, but it is one of the small things that go to make up
first-class work. You can judge pretty accurately of a watchmaker by the
corners he leaves on his work, as well as by the appearance of his
gravers and screw-drivers.

When your staff is completed and nicely polished, remove from the wax and
boil in alcohol to clean, and when dried it is ready for the balance.
Great care must be exercised in removing the balance from the old staff,
especially if it be a compensation balance, that you do not distort it
any way. If the balance has been riveted on extra care will have to be
exercised. The riveting may be cut by means of a graver, or a hollow
drill made from Stubb's steel wire. The recess in the drill should just
fit over the shoulder left for the reception of the hair-spring collet.
The edge of the hollow drill has small teeth formed upon it similar to a
fine file, and will cut quite rapidly.

After removing the balance, if it appears to be sprung in the arms, the
result of removal or previous bad treatment, proceed to bend them
straight, and then to true up the rim carefully, and stake on with a flat
end punch. Now put on your roller and drive it down to the hub and see
that the roller is free from the fork. See that jewel pin reaches fork
properly and that the guard pin also reaches the roller. See that your
balance is free from the plate and the bridge. If the balance is true and
all right, you are ready to put on your hair-spring. See that it is in
beat. It is well to make a mark on the balance before taking off the old
staff, showing positions of hair-spring stud and jewel pin.

Three-quarter plate English lev