Jump to content

Tips For Inserting Barrel Arbor Into Mainspring

Don

By Don
in Watch Repairs Help & Advice

 Share

Recommended Posts

Don Super WRT Addict

Don

Posted
Posted

Last night I was finally successful in hand winding a mainspring into a barrel. I thought the tough part was over...until I tried to insert the arbor into the spring. I tried several different approaches and could not get the arbor to fit inside the inner coil. Then disaster struck and the barrel went one direction and the arbor another, into the void.

Any tips for getting the arbor into the mainspring?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Geo Distinguished Member

Geo

Posted
Posted

Hi Don,

I usually use tweezers to hold the arbour by the square and gently press it into the centre coil of the spring while turning the arbour against the direction of the coil. If you have a pin chuck yo could use this instead of using tweezers, it may give you better control. Do this with the barrel resting on a plate or anvil with a hole in it to allow the other end of the arbour to enter when it protrudes through the barrel wall as it is fitted. Then place the cover on and snap it in place.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
anilv Distinguished Member

anilv

Posted
Posted

Hi Don,

 

To add to what Geo said,

 

Flatten a piece of Rodico onto your workbench. Using the handle of your oiler make a divot in it. Then fix the barrel/spring into the rodico (so that it doesn't move) with the end of the inner coil nearest to you and the hole in the midle over the divot you made. Oil the inner part of the barrel where the arbor will contact. Next hold the arbor with your tweezers and get the edge furthest from you into the coil. Using a needle/oiler work the coil around the arbor while applying downward pressure on it with the tweezers. The end of the arbor will sit in the divot.

If the replacement spring is correctly sized to the arbor you don't really need the oiler but in most cases I find the inner coil of the spring is slightly undersized.

 

 

There's actually a tool for this... 'google barrel arbor holder'. Pin vise works but its jaws may leave marks on a bearing surface.

 

And to top it off... theres also a tool to close the barrel lid ...... sheer luxury!

 

bonus tip... for the arbor to fly off you must have been holding the arbor tightly... whenever you do so, curl your free hand around the movement so that it is oppositeyour tweezers. Something you have to consciously do in the beginning but once you make a habit of it you'll find youself spending less time with your nose to your workroom floor.

 

Anil

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Don Super WRT Addict

Don

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Thanks for the advice, guys. I have a couple of pin vises, so I'll try those. Anil, the Rodico idea is perfect, as I don't have a staking/riveting block. But I do have a barrel closer, when I get to that point.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 3 months later...
chadders1966 WRT Addict

chadders1966

Posted
Posted

Bob,

Reviving an old thread to ask if you ever worked out an answer to your question? I got a bunch of pin vices lately, and mixed in was a barrel arbor holder. I've used it and it was great, so much easier with it. I now want to get some more, but they cost a lot. I'm just wondering which are the most useful.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
bobm12 Distinguished Member

bobm12

Posted
Posted

Hi chadders,

 

nope, I haven't gotten the answer yet but hope and patience is the last thing a watchmaker loses! :)  I was just thinking, maybe the one you have is the answer to this question, since you already found uses for it. May I ask what size it is? In my mind, I'm willing to start with one like yours and work my way into the other ones as need arises...right now I haven't venture into the expense fearing I make the wrong choice.

 

Cheers,

 

Bob

Link to comment
Share on other sites
chadders1966 WRT Addict

chadders1966

Posted
Posted

It's quite tricky to measure. I think it closes to 0.5mm, but unlike others I've seen the closure is not circular but oval. This means it can actually hold arbors up to about 1.5mm without marking. However I don't think it would be as secure as the ones with a circular grip. Hope that makes sense.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
bobm12 Distinguished Member

bobm12

Posted
Posted

Thanks, I'll check on the different ones offered by...you guessed, Bergeon. Then I'll try the closest one. I got a couple of ETA movements and Seikos I will try it first (just to see how they "grab") and get back to you with a report.

 

Cheers,

 

Bob

Link to comment
Share on other sites
 Share
Go to topic listing


  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • Neverenoughwatches
      Without Our Forum

      By Neverenoughwatches · Posted

      I have it, so until we get a lunch one day , nearly everyday is with my mum at the moment.
    • RichardHarris123
      Without Our Forum

      By RichardHarris123 · Posted

      In the meantime whilst awaiting a better plan, please drop me a quick hello on my email. 
    • Neverenoughwatches
      Without Our Forum

      By Neverenoughwatches · Posted

      I looked at it like this, I've built a lot of stuff in my time, building structures and furniture,those are my creations and they will still be here way way after I'm gone. Traditional watchmakers felt the need to pass their knowledge on, ideas that they created . I assume with them as it is with me, leaving their mark on the earth, a way of being remembered. This creation of Mark's has brought thousands of people together to pass their knowledge around,  ideas that will continue to be used for lifetimes. Ideas that should continue to be procured. If for whatever reason the forum ceased to exist, not quite like Ranfft's, that didn't disappear but much less usable. Then that is sad, such a massive loss of communication between good people and a wealth of knowledge lost. There should be something in place for when that happens which could be next week, next year or in 10 years. Might not be a topical subject for a lot of folk or boardering on controversy, i did say i talk about stuff other people dont. But if you dont talk about it and something happens then you've lost it and you ain't gonna fix it .
    • Waggy
      Without Our Forum

      By Waggy · Posted

      I've remained silent on this thread, and at the risk of upsetting everyone, the thing that worries me the most the the apparent absence of Mark. The moderators do a great job and the members also pitch in, and the site seems to run itself, but it is a concern for the future of this forum when the owner is absent for all intents and purposes. Like many of the comments above I would hate to log in one day and things be closed down as I rely on this site for ideas and knowledge and also cheer me up. maybe the Moderators could reach out to him, assuming he does not read this thread, and express our concerns and let us know the plans going forward? some kind of WRT ark
    • Neverenoughwatches
      Without Our Forum

      By Neverenoughwatches · Posted

      That was the exact reason for me starting this thread watchie. Still we haven't worked out how the regulars are going to hook up if it goes tits up. I honestly think something should be arranged to stay in contact, we all help each other so much. 
×
×
  • Create New...