K & D Co. Mainspring Winder (Robbins Type) No.126 K & D Co. Mainspring Winder (Robbins Type) No.126

[gary17]

Hey guys.

Anyone know were there is some info on using these K&D mainspring winders.Dont want to break em trying to work them out.

Are they just for winding one way or can they be used to wind in either direction?

cheers

gary

[KarlvonKoln]

I have this kind, and I use it for most of the antique and vintage mainspring barrels when I need to replace a spring.  It doesn't seem very difficult to use, for me anyway.  I don't know how much you know about them or how often you've used other winders, so I will explain as best I can without intending to insult.
So far, I've had no trouble winding springs in either direction with the 126, but clockwise seems to be more commonly used.  Here I would advise: take pictures and study the barrel and how it is placed in the movement, and which way the arbor would turn - to be sure that you are winding the spring in the correction direction to load into the barrel.
After winding the spring all the way into the *winder's barrel*, it's a simple matter to slowly turn the crank back and allow the spring tension to settle into the winder's barrel.  Then you turn backward a little bit more to try to gently release the spring from the pin on the winder's shaft.  Take care to keep the spring from uncoiling out of the winder.
Then, if you've chosen a winder-barrel just slightly smaller than the watch's mainspring barrel, you line up the spring's hook or anchor-point just ahead of where it would latch onto the barrel's anchor point and, taking your time, get everything in line and gently press the button on the handle to shove the spring in.
Practice makes this procedure easier.  Get an old "parts" movement (a large old pocket watch movement to start) and just practice gently taking the spring out, and winding it back in.  Go slow.  Wear safety glasses.  Take note of the way things go together when you're doing it.  It gets easier.  Don't immediately start with a watch you have to repair. These winders are great once you get the hang of them.  I'm very fond of my own.

[clockboy]

This link has a slide showing how to use.

 

https://ihc185.infopop.cc/helphand/kd128/kd128pg01.html

[MrRoundel]

It's a good winder, providing you have a vise top put it in, and expensive in today's crazy tools market. I use mine more than any other for pocket watches, FWIW. I agree with KarlvonKoln about using it CW and CCW. Good luck.

[KarlvonKoln]

I think he may actually have this kind.  It would not be mounted in a vice, but the the overall function is similar.  This is also the kind I have.

Edited April 16, 2022 by KarlvonKoln