Fitting the mainspring notch into the notch on the barrel

[DoctoralHermit]

This is a very old (1950s-era) First Moscow Watch Factory Mockba watch. The mainspring has two little rectangles that stick out up and down from the bent-back tongue part of the mainspring. I assume these rectangle bits are to fit into two corresponding notches in the barrel and ratchet wheel (please see attached picture). However, when inserting the mainspring into the barrel to wind it, I'm having a hell-of-a-time getting the mainspring to fit into the barrel notch. After it's all coiled, the notched tongue of the mainspring doesn't really fit into the barrel notch, and so it sticks up. Thus, the ratchet wheel can't quite fit down all the way. Is there a trick to it? Should I just file off the notches on the mainspring so it goes in any which way (that must be a terrible practice... but would it work?)

 

Thank you!!

[nickelsilver]

Insert the spring. Then, you can hold the barrel down and scoot the end around to drop it in the notch. You have to go "end first", normally clockwise (it'll bind the other way). When it's seated in the barrel but in the arbor and then cap lining up the cap notch.

[DoctoralHermit]

1 hour ago, nickelsilver said:

Insert the spring. Then, you can hold the barrel down and scoot the end around to drop it in the notch. You have to go "end first", normally clockwise (it'll bind the other way). When it's seated in the barrel but in the arbor and then cap lining up the cap notch.

Thank you! This is very helpful, and definitely points me in the right direction. I suspected that might be the correct procedure. When you say "end first," do you mean it should go towards the apex of the bend in the tongue (leftwards, as represented by the character "<") or towards the end of the tongue and spring, which is doubled back towards the direction in which I insert the spring?

[nickelsilver]

Thank you! This is very helpful, and definitely points me in the right direction. I suspected that might be the correct procedure. When you say "end first," do you mean it should go towards the apex of the bend in the tongue (leftwards, as represented by the character "

Just look at the end of the spring, and imagine if it were to grow from the outer end that's the direction to push it. I do it with a screwdriver on the "ear" or whatever you might call it that's sticking up, but a piece of brass would be better.

[DoctoralHermit]

1 hour ago, nickelsilver said:

1 hour ago, DoctoralHermit said:

Thank you! This is very helpful, and definitely points me in the right direction. I suspected that might be the correct procedure. When you say "end first," do you mean it should go towards the apex of the bend in the tongue (leftwards, as represented by the character "

Just look at the end of the spring, and imagine if it were to grow from the outer end that's the direction to push it. I do it with a screwdriver on the "ear" or whatever you might call it that's sticking up, but a piece of brass would be better.

Okay! So I ended up following your directions, and had to apply a bit of extra lube on the top of the inside wall of the barrel, but it seemed to fit mostly into place. I then placed a cover to protect the barrel and used the pliers a bit to clamp it into place, as the barrel wouldn't seem to close with just my fingers pressing. Does this mean I've screwed up somehow? Side note: it's okay if I've broken this one... I have extras, this is just for practice so I don't screw up my good spring and barrel assembly!

[centerwheel]

I don't use pliers to close the lid. Instead I use the brass tweezers. Not the ends but the mid section.

[nickelsilver]

I use brass tweezers as well, like in the middle of them. The "offical" way is with a plastic pusher with a hole to pass the arbor, barrel on a bench block

[DoctoralHermit]

On 7/29/2019 at 6:51 PM, nickelsilver said:

I use brass tweezers as well, like in the middle of them. The "offical" way is with a plastic pusher with a hole to pass the arbor, barrel on a bench block

Excellent, thank you!