The dreaded 3 pronged Russian shock spring

[HectorLooi]

Recently there were several rants about the dreaded 3 pronged Russian shock spring.

I have done quite a number of Russian movements but never had much problem with the shock springs until a couple of days ago. This Slava 2427 had the most uncooperative shock springs that I have ever come across. Just cleaning and oiling the two balance jewels took me almost an hour.

I think it was a combination of a stiff shock spring and badly polished shock spring seats. I could get 2 prongs in but after that, the friction was so great that it became impossible to turn the last prong after it was pressed into the notch.

It was then that I decided to make a tool to fit the shock spring in. My mentor described how to make this tool to me several years but I never made one as I never had much problems with shock springs before.

It is rather simple. The tube was taken from an old spring bar and expanded slightly to fit the hole in the shock spring seat. Three shallow notches were made in the rim of the tube to catch the 3 prongs of the shock spring. The notches must be shallow, so that the tube can depress the prongs.

It only took me 15 minutes to make the tool and using it to fit the shock spring is a real godsend.

If any of our members have problems refitting these 3 pronged springs, I strongly advise making this tool.

[clockboy]

I created a  similar tool but out of pegwood which I found more tactile..

[Neverenoughwatches]

27 minutes ago, HectorLooi said:

Recently there were several rants about the dreaded 3 pronged Russian shock spring.

I have done quite a number of Russian movements but never had much problem with the shock springs until a couple of days ago. This Slava 2427 had the most uncooperative shock springs that I have ever come across. Just cleaning and oiling the two balance jewels took me almost an hour.

I think it was a combination of a stiff shock spring and badly polished shock spring seats. I could get 2 prongs in but after that, the friction was so great that it became impossible to turn the last prong after it was pressed into the notch.

It was then that I decided to make a tool to fit the shock spring in. My mentor described how to make this tool to me several years but I never made one as I never had much problems with shock springs before.

It is rather simple. The tube was taken from an old spring bar and expanded slightly to fit the hole in the shock spring seat. Three shallow notches were made in the rim of the tube to catch the 3 prongs of the shock spring. The notches must be shallow, so that the tube can depress the prongs.

It only took me 15 minutes to make the tool and using it to fit the shock spring is a real godsend.

If any of our members have problems refitting these 3 pronged springs, I strongly advise making this tool.

Nice one HectorLooi, pegwood also works well. Try this 3 pronged kif  mounted on 3 notched setting on a small 6 3/4 x 8  Oris. I wont be doing this again anytime soon.