Mainspring winder

[Willow]

Look for identifying clock by MechanicMike then plans are there

[MechanicMike]

2 hours ago, LittleWatchShop said:

Another shiny object!  LOL.  I could not resist pondering a 3D printed solution for some of the parts.  I don't have the plans...just taking a SWAG at what I see on the youtube videos.  Here is one of the slides.  The mate for the slide is a trivial design and print as well.  I just quickly laid out this piece.

I would think a 3D printing system would be a perfect platform to make this and other repair tooling. I've worked with them on occasion and find them super fascinating.  

[MechanicMike]

The blueprints I posted come courtesy of Joe Collins. 

[LittleWatchShop]

3 minutes ago, MechanicMike said:

I would think a 3D printing system would be a perfect platform to make this and other repair tooling. I've worked with them on occasion and find them super fascinating.  

It is one of the most utilitarian tools I have other than a screwdriver.  I have repaired many things around the house by printing replacement parts.  I have also created many tools and add-ons to other tools.  There is a huge repository of designs that others have done on the internet.  I love to make my own stuff--do the 3D design but when I find someone has made what I need, I download and print!!  Below I show a picture of a 3D printed fully functional escapement that built three or so years ago.  It is a wonderful demonstration of how the escapement works.

[LittleWatchShop]

15 minutes ago, MechanicMike said:

The blueprints I posted come courtesy of Joe Collins. 

Super.  I found them.  I will generate a set of 3D files of the critical pieces based on the drawings.

[LittleWatchShop]

31 minutes ago, LittleWatchShop said:

Super.  I found them.  I will generate a set of 3D files of the critical pieces based on the drawings.

Here are the left and right slides.  When I am done, I will post these on thingiverse giving proper credit.

[MechanicMike]

That's terrific!

Look up Joe Collins. He's one of those guys with the gifts of natural mechanical ability to repair or build anything and with people skills to share with all. 

[clockboy]

I own a Ollie Baker mainspring winder and also a home made one made out of wood and a converted mainspring winder. Both work great the issue to be aware of wood changes in shape as it ages and changes as it takes up or looses moisture so it looses its original smoothness in operation. The issue with the Ollie Baker is you are required to hold the barrel with one hand while winding with your other hand. I got around this by making a various sized wood clamps to hold the barrels see pic below for both my hand made winder + the Ollie. I know my hand made winder looks crude but be assured it works and is better and safer than trying to wind springs by hand. 

[watchweasol]

Hi  I like the way that you have modded the spring winder, I also used the let down tools as fit the spring arbour properly. As for looking crude the fact is it works and it overcomes the problem of holding springs by hand.  The wood if and when it becomes less effective can be replaced cheaply and effectivly.  I used mahogany for the clamp its good and hard. A Great idea, engineers answer to a problem based on what you have available. I for one think its brill.  It May inspire others to do something similar.

[clockboy]

33 minutes ago, watchweasol said:

Hi  I like the way that you have modded the spring winder, I also used the let down tools as fit the spring arbour properly. As for looking crude the fact is it works and it overcomes the problem of holding springs by hand.  The wood if and when it becomes less effective can be replaced cheaply and effectivly.  I used mahogany for the clamp its good and hard. A Great idea, engineers answer to a problem based on what you have available. I for one think its brill.  It May inspire others to do something similar.

Thanks yes it works but it is not the best engineering for sure. The clamping system I use is really good when dealing with either small or large mainspring barrels. The key to working with mainsprings is having control.

[Willow]

thanks for showing us a photo clockboy will pinch that idea if its ok with you, just have to get round to making one now and like watchweasol says if it works and saves you from getting injured that's what counts 

[watchweasol]

.There are many solutions to the problem and this is yet another,  How its done is irrelavant its more the fact that you overcame a problem.  Thinking out side the box (PC Parlance). 

[ChrisInOz]

I hope it's OK to reply to this older thread.  Here are a couple of pics of the mainspring winder I made using Joe Collins's design.

You can see that I have added a locking collar at the brake block end.  This is just an extra safety feature to prevent accidentally releasing the winding arbor from the chuck while the spring is under tension.

 

 

I haven't actually used or tested  it yet,  as I still need to add spring hooks to the barrel and arbor that I am making.

[Michael20]

I copied one from a YouTube video by Treetopspider  - Home Made Mainspring Winder (2020) (youtube.com) Then bought some copper pipe reducers to contain the spring when compressed, just need to cut a slot in the reducer to allow the end of the spring to be held by the hook. I works well.