I now have over 35 tuning forks which either will not hum or hum drawing excess current and hence vibrate too slowly. I have not yet devised a way to measure the magnetic field strength accurately, but using an empirical method employing the deflection of a compass needle, have shown that there are wide differences in field strength. This is particularly so between the magnets on individual forks. One magnet even had reversed polarity.
What this leads to is the importance of finding how to remagnetize tuning forks. Bulova in its heyday offered a service to do this. I would welcome any suggestions from members on how this was done or whether anyone is currently doing remagnetizing. I intend to do some experiments to see if I can do it myself but at the moment have little idea of what parameters will be necessary. About one in four Accutrons I have bought cannot be adjusted up to speed with the regulators and the ratio is much worse among old movements.
I wonder what professional Accutron service people are doing about getting good tuning forks.
What this leads to is the importance of finding how to remagnetize tuning forks. Bulova in its heyday offered a service to do this. I would welcome any suggestions from members on how this was done or whether anyone is currently doing remagnetizing. I intend to do some experiments to see if I can do it myself but at the moment have little idea of what parameters will be necessary. About one in four Accutrons I have bought cannot be adjusted up to speed with the regulators and the ratio is much worse among old movements.
I wonder what professional Accutron service people are doing about getting good tuning forks.