Mainspring 'safety'

[Folkvisor]

Is there any explanations or videos on how a mainspring is fastened in the barrel and how over-winding is prevented?

I've watched Mark's videos on replacing mainsprings and their arbours but I just would like some more information.

Thank you

Dave

[bobm12]

Hi Dave,

 

In an nutshell, the automatics slide  and the manuals stop when you over wind...

 

Cheers,

 

Bob

[HorologicalHobby]

Manual wind watches have the end of the mainspring attached to the barrel wall, like this:

 

 

 

Automatic watches are not attached the the barrel wall, they have basically an extra long tongue end, that causes friction on the side of the wall, when it is wound past full wind, it slips. Most manual watches are either a swiss tongue end, or a double brace anchored end.

[matabog]

 

Again, perplxr!

[oldhippy]

You can't over wind a watch, you can only wind it up to its max. bobm12 is right about autos they have a slip spring so they slide around in the barrel.

[Folkvisor]

I am always impressed with the excellent knowledge on this forum and the willingness to share it.

 

Thank you everyone for your answers.

 

If you ever want to know what a balancier is or an augmented 6th for that matter - just ask.

 

Dave

[Cad101]

:D ah the old augmented 6th Ive never understood that one what makes it different to a minor 7th.

[bobm12]

Cad your answer boils down to commas (?spelling) but the instrument shouldn't be tempered to make a difference...that's my take on it! Hey, this will soon be a "know everything" forum! :D

 

Cheers,

 

Bob

 

PS. Now, back to mainsprings, ta da! :)

[Folkvisor]

:D ah the old augmented 6th Ive never understood that one what makes it different to a minor 7th.

Sounds the same - just written different - who knows why, eh? Then there are the French, German and Italian 6th chords...

[Folkvisor]

Cad your answer boils down to commas (?spelling) but the instrument shouldn't be tempered to make a difference...that's my take on it! Hey, this will soon be a "know everything" forum! :D

 

Cheers,

 

Bob

 

PS. Now, back to mainsprings, ta da! :)

I especially like 'mean' temperaments...LOL

 

I could never figure out why keys are even different when tuned with equal temperament; it's just transposing the same key - sort of. In a mean temperament keys actually sound very different. C major is very 'bright' and B minor is very 'dark'.

 

Anyway, who knew there were so many mainsprings. Kind of reminds me of a friend who only lives with a guy for 5 years - sort of. Variety I guess...

[bobm12]

Hi folkvisor,

 

I don't know if I'm correct but as I remember, many, many years ago, from my conservatory classes, about non tempered instruments -- or normally if you would -- a tone was broken down into 7 audible particles=commas -- the smaller division a human ear can hear -- so a semitone would be made of 4 of those. Therefore, when going down the scale the distance from a tone to a semitone you only have 3 commas to reach the other tone and vice versa. So a G# != Ab but in a tempered instrument, (piano, guitar, etc) they just cut the tone into 2 equal parts making or 3.5 commas per semitone, therefore: G# == Ab. I also was told that there is a more involved explanation involving math but it is kind of useless for many musical purposes and this "concept" usually helps understand what happens.

 

@Geo: I know, we will be back on topic right away...just a little detour! :)

[bobm12]

I hope new mainsprings lasts more than 5 years! :D

 

@Geo: There you have it, back on subject!!! :)

[Folkvisor]

Hi folkvisor,

 

I don't know if I'm correct but as I remember, many, many years ago, from my conservatory classes, about non tempered instruments -- or normally if you would -- a tone was broken down into 7 audible particles=commas -- the smaller division a human ear can hear -- so a semitone would be made of 4 of those. Therefore, when going down the scale the distance from a tone to a semitone you only have 3 commas to reach the other tone and vice versa. So a G# != Ab but in a tempered instrument, (piano, guitar, etc) they just cut the tone into 2 equal parts making or 3.5 commas per semitone, therefore: G# == Ab. I also was told that there is a more involved explanation involving math but it is kind of useless for many musical purposes and this "concept" usually helps understand what happens.

 

@Geo: I know, we will be back on topic right away...just a little detour! :)

And you can mathematically prove that D# is different than Eb - no, not on a piano - BUT it sort of sounds different. Musicologists discuss this at some length regarding Till Eulenspiegel by Richard Strauss. Fascinating stuff...LOL

[Folkvisor]

As a piano technician, I often wonder why people use electronic tuners that can measure .001 of a semitone when, really, what is happening is a piece of blued steel is being moved in a hole in a block of wood.

 

Maybe that's just me...

[Geo]

 

@Geo: There you have it, back on subject!!! :)

And now in the correct section. ;)

[Folkvisor]

Maybe we should have a music discussion blog. After all, Mark's videos use his music.

 

Dave

[Geo]

Maybe we should have a music discussion blog. After all, Mark's videos use his music.

 

Dave

Start a thread in the WRT lounge Dave, I'm sure a lot would join in. :)

[Cad101]

I might make a mainspring guitar.

[Folkvisor]

Not sure about a mainspring guitar but it's worth a shot.

 

I'm thinking an African thumb piano would be a good use for old mainsprings; probably clock mainsprings would work better than watch mainsprings though.

 

Dave