mainspring installation help

[dwhite]

I am going nuts trying to install a mainspring into an Elgin 16s barrel.  I haven't done a mainspring in 20 years and I don't remember having any problems before but this one is crazy!  I've gone through it several times and each time the t end on the mainspring winds up some distance from the slot in the barrel no matter how carefully I line it up, no matter even if I make sure the t is engaged into the slot before I push the release button on the winder.  Of course, once it, I cannot shift it to line up.  What in the world am I doing wrong?

[dwhite]

Nevermind, I got it on about the 12th attempt.  Never had such a problem before; perhaps this watch just doesn't want to live.

[JohnR725]

From your description it sounds like you're doing everything correct except? Then for anyone reading this Elgin 16 size mainsprings are typically T brace. So you wind it into your mainspring winder leaving a little bit out. Put all of that into the barrel line up your slot with the T. Make sure the T is in the slot you'll have to push down to do that. Then you have to hold the T in place otherwise it jumps out. Some people use the end of their tweezer I usually use my large screwdriver. Because if you try to push the spring into the barrel without holding the T in place you will discover as you have it will not stay word supposed to be.

[dwhite]

Thanks John, that's more or less what I had to do.   Funny but I don't remember having this problem before but, then again, I don't remember many things these days.  And it doesn't help that my hands now shake badly.  Perhaps I should move on to clocks?