Jump to content

Mainspring acting weird!

EatPeach
 Share

Recommended Posts

EatPeach WRT Addict

EatPeach

Posted
Posted (edited)

Hey guys. One of my non-automatic mainspring is acting weird in the barrel. It's hard to describe but the mainspring wont stop and keep winding and flexing inside the barrel.

Here's a demonstration.

image.thumb.png.986d464e149fb0bed4ffe84ec28e38af.png

 

So after the mainspring crosses the line where it should stop normally, it curl to one side of the barrel and keep winding.

What happened? How can I fix this one?

Thank you!

 

 

Edited by EatPeach
Link to comment
Share on other sites
EatPeach WRT Addict

EatPeach

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Just now, eccentric59 said:

Sounds like the spring was over-wound and the bridle was either bent, broken or fatigued. Have you taken the spring out and inspected the end closely? It might be time for a new mainspring.

Thank you, I'll take that out and chek it tomorrow morning. Is this a common issue? I just can't come out any reason how the ms is bent.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
eccentric59 WRT Addict

eccentric59

Posted
Posted

I would expect over-winding a manual watch is fairly common, but what happens then would depend on how the mainspring is secured in the barrel. There are many different types. I'm guessing that you have the Swiss tongue end, which looks like, when wound too tightly, might bend and deflect the spring as you describe. A different style might simply break under those conditions.

 

endbraces4ms.jpg

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
EatPeach WRT Addict

EatPeach

Posted
  • Author
Posted
1 minute ago, eccentric59 said:

I would expect over-winding a manual watch is fairly common, but what happens then would depend on how the mainspring is secured in the barrel. There are many different types. I'm guessing that you have the Swiss tongue end, which looks like, when wound too tightly, might bend and deflect the spring as you describe. A different style might simply break under those conditions.

 

endbraces4ms.jpg

yeah it's a regular swiss end. So if the bridle is bent, can I manipulate it back, just like what we do to the hairspring?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
jdm Distinguished Member

jdm

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, EatPeach said:

 It's hard to describe but the mainspring wont stop and keep winding and flexing inside the barrel.

Yes it can happen with brand new, roundel-contained mainspring. The end needs to be bent just so slightly to engage the machining in barrel wall. 
I'm not sure if there is a way to find out before one closes the lid on it but certainly that's is on my due diligent list when working on the the next hand wound watch,

Link to comment
Share on other sites
eccentric59 WRT Addict

eccentric59

Posted
Posted
51 minutes ago, EatPeach said:

yeah it's a regular swiss end. So if the bridle is bent, can I manipulate it back, just like what we do to the hairspring?

Maybe. If it's a relatively fresh bend with no damage to the steel then you should be able to adjust it. But, if there are any signs of fatigue, then it's going to break on you sooner than later. Better to replace it now that you have it apart, IMHO.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
EatPeach WRT Addict

EatPeach

Posted
  • Author
Posted
13 hours ago, eccentric59 said:

Maybe. If it's a relatively fresh bend with no damage to the steel then you should be able to adjust it. But, if there are any signs of fatigue, then it's going to break on you sooner than later. Better to replace it now that you have it apart, IMHO.

image.thumb.png.2b0b2991777d7349691986466d16760f.pngimage.thumb.png.6903c958ed401e45634caee808be3306.pngimage.thumb.png.997cae9f96564bb7b17af50a7c1cd640.pngimage.thumb.png.2b0b2991777d7349691986466d16760f.png

looks pretty normal to me. Is it bent?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
eccentric59 WRT Addict

eccentric59

Posted
Posted

Looks okay to me. I might think it should follow the contour of the barrel a little closer, but then not too much or it could slip off the stop. But, that's not your problem, right?  You're saying that when fully wound the back of the spring lifts off the barrel.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
EatPeach WRT Addict

EatPeach

Posted
  • Author
Posted
1 minute ago, eccentric59 said:

Looks okay to me. I might think it should follow the contour of the barrel a little closer, but then not too much or it could slip off the stop. But, that's not your problem, right?  You're saying that when fully wound the back of the spring lifts off the barrel.

Yeah it does not slip actually. Is just the bridle and the end of the spring will not cling the barrel wall and keep wind up

Link to comment
Share on other sites
EatPeach WRT Addict

EatPeach

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Just now, eccentric59 said:

The reverse curve of the spring is supposed to keep the tongue pressed against the barrel. Perhaps the spring is simply too weak? (Just guessin' here).

that might be possible. Let me change a new one and check the performence. I dont see any significant issue with this mainspring, I dont even know how to start it. So best to change a new one

Link to comment
Share on other sites
saswatch88 WRT Addict

saswatch88

Posted
Posted (edited)

it seems like the spring is way to weak....a spring with correct strength for the barrel should be sitting a lot closer to the barrel wall, and the bridal should have more curvature to it which also not helping with the situation, so i would get a pair of round shank beading pliers and curve the bridle a bit more then see if it slips.

Edited by saswatch88
Link to comment
Share on other sites
 Share
Go to topic listing


  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • Neverenoughwatches
      Epilame / Fixodrop

      By Neverenoughwatches · Posted

      I read that same article last night  H.  I think epilame is too much headache for me, sources aren't always accurate, some conflicting. Such is the GRAVITY of this situation, Is it ok if i just STICK  to a thixotropic oil 🤣
    • VWatchie
      Epilame / Fixodrop

      By VWatchie · Posted

      Not sure I follow along. As I stated in one of my previous posts, the epilame will remain intact between rubbing parts as long as the surface is lubricated by oil or grease. Maybe it's just a coincidence, but note how the epilame-treated surface is illustrated in @Waggy's post. It looks like the oil is exposed to a binder (epilame!) so that it can't move sideways.
    • Neverenoughwatches
      Epilame / Fixodrop

      By Neverenoughwatches · Posted

      The epilame under the oil will also be removed  Unless the oil makes a barrier between the epilame and the escape teeth 😅 I think i need two strong coffees now 🤣
    • VWatchie
      Epilame / Fixodrop

      By VWatchie · Posted

      If we use the rub-off epilame method of pallet stones (run dry for a few minutes before applying the epilame) where will the oil go/be transported when it is pushed away from the impulse surface by the escape wheel teeth? Onto the epilame-treated sections of the pallet! Once the oil has been applied/transported to the epilame-treated sections of the pallet where will it then go? Nowhere as the oil will remain on the epilame. So, perhaps the run-dry method defeats its intended purpose leaving the pallet impulse surfaces dry!? If, on the other hand, we do not remove the epilame from the pallet stones where the escape wheel teeth come in contact with them I'd expect more oil to remain where we want it and need it. Yes, I agree, that is the question, and my gut feeling tells me that is exactly the case. Epilame was created to have an adhesive trait and the oleophobic property is just a side effect.  
    • Neverenoughwatches
      Epilame / Fixodrop

      By Neverenoughwatches · Posted

      Might that be the viscous nature of oil resisting gravity H  ,  we have been comparing water and hydrophobic surfaces which are similar in principle but water is much less viscous than oil. I guess what we trying to discover is if epilame also has an adhesive trait as well as being oleophobic. Plus the oil dropet has very little mass for gravity to work on, like watching tiny water beads that can grip onto vertical glass until they are connected together to increase their mass then run down. Gravity isn't the only factor at play when oil is placed on pallet stones. The oil receives a lot of bashing that may push it out of position ? Thinking about it if the oil stays in position for 10 minutes enough time for the escape wheel to scrape off the epilame , then  a walled in lubrication has been achieved,  the epilame is no longer beneath the oil ( possibly mixed into the oil )
×
×
  • Create New...