Jump to content

Mainspring winders


Recommended Posts

I have just found a video on YouTube showing how it can be done with just using your fingers. I think this method looks doable and i would feel confident to give it a go. If anything it seems a winder would be a bit of a luxury and not a necessity.

Thank you both for you comments and putting me on the path to finding the Video

Richard 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

With a new mainspring you simply press it in. A used mainspring you start by fitting the end into the barrel depending on what end fixture you have, an eye end you hook it on the inside piece, normal bridle close to the inside piece so its resting next to it, then you simple feed it into the barrel using your fingers.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I use something like the one below. Works OK, but the one I have has too much slop between pusher and barrel. The inner hooking also only works in one direction, so I made some new arbors and modified some existing ones. These and other types can be found on ebay for not that much.

Winding by hand may work, but is not a good way to go about. You'll have to wear finger cots to prevent touching the spring. The cots will get stuck between coils, etc. If you're not careful, you'll cone-shape the spring, or scratch the edges (more likely with old carbon steel springs). If you only do this three times per year, it may be an option.

I pretty much find reinstalling the spring one of the most frustrating steps in assembling a watch. It doesn't help that I'm stupid and regularly end up winding the spring in the winder barrel in the wrong direction, which means start from scratch.

31.jpg

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'll keep my eye out for an old set and see if i can get one for a good price. I am just starting out at the moment (just about to embark on my first service) so i cant really justify buying them at the present time. If the service goes well and i get the bug, it'll definitely be worth having them. Thanks for the safety advice digginstony.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

welcome to the forum, and just as a suggestion take your time and watch and read a lot. It will help you decide

on the right tools to buy. It can be done by hand and since you only use it a few times a year, i would wait to find a good deal online, and you can always post pictures asking if  a particular winder you find would work well for your needs.

 

~Omar

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for the welcome Omar. I agree with you, its best to take your time and get as much information as possible. 

I think i may have a look for a few damaged movements just to practice taking parts off and put them back on. I can also give the mainspring a go by hand.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 2/8/2014 at 6:28 AM, 64americandeluxe said:

I ended up buying a Watch-Craft winder set like the one shown below.  I should be trying it out in the next week or so.  I know the learning curve is rather steep.  Fingers crossed...

1000x1000.jpg

Cheers.

Roger

I have a very similar winding set as this. These winders are great once you get used to using them. The issue to be aware of is unlike the Bergeon mainspring winder (which has a winding handle) it's a bit more tricky when winding & keeping the winding arbour flush with the rest of the unit. Also the same issue as the Bergeon the removing of the arbour after winding is the most critical part. Absolutely make sure it has released & withdraw the winding arbour slowly making sure the centre of the spring does not travel out with the arbour. If it does (which is common) Use a fine pair of tweezers to push the centre of the spring back as you go. I suggest you practice first with an old scrap spring/arbour. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

I've worked on several practice mainspring barrels, I managed to get the hang of successfully removing them by hand after a couple of tries, but the re installation seems flat out impossible unless I'm missing something. I'm not sure how doing it by hand will help me decide on the equipment, but I will follow your advice and get more practice with it, that was part of my plan.

Edited by Ishima
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Okay reporting back, I did just after much struggle get a mainspring fitted back into the barrel with my hands, I also think I know where much of my trouble comes from, most of my scrap movements are Auto seikos, and I'm guessing auto mainsprings are harder, at least to start feeding in due to the large friction bend at the end. I'll try and get some more practice in, it's nice to know that winders aren't an absolute necessity for me, though I will say my hands are cramped!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

i gotta reply to this because i tried to do a couple by hand. they were also seiko automatics. i ended up breaking the friction end. i could not get it to lay against the wall of the barrel - it wanted to take a "shortcut" and just lay flat making it cramped for the rest of the spring to get into the barrel.

i'm looking for a winder myself, but am unsure as to what i need. i keep seeing sizes, but i don't know how they relate to an "average" watch....9 1/2 to 15 mm.....etc.

 i might continue my search on this forum and if i can't find a good recommendation, i'll post the question.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 12/8/2016 at 3:17 PM, Ishima said:

Will most vintage watch mainspring winder sets suffice for most average watches? I dont want to buy a full burgeon set, at least not at this time. 

are there things I need to be aware of before buying a set off of ebay?

I will be doing a proper post after the xmas festivities but purchased this on the bay and it is absolutely brilliant .It is supposed to be just for auto springs but it's will work with any spring. I paid £69 + £22 postage from the USA. If you find one buy it.

Master Craft Mainspring Winder for Automatic Watch Mainsprings Wristwatches

 

Screen Shot 2016-12-24 at 20.49.13.png

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 months later...

Hi Guys

At an auction recently I purchased a box of watch mainspring winders which cost very little money as most people did not know what they were. Now not having done any mainspring work yet I thought I would try them out. The K & D 126 is complete but can anyone give me advice on how to use it please? I know that the right size  winder fits into the end of the little handle and then there is a little rod and extension piece? which go through the handle to push the spring out so the question is how does the little crank handle wind the spring in as its a very loose fit. The other item in the auction was not named but consisted of a tube with finger grips. ten different size winders and ten different crank handles. Any help would be appreciated

Chris

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for your reply

Yours looks a bit more complex than mine....Ive given the 126 a trial run...It was ok but the only trouble was removing the handle after winding. Tends to pull the centre coils up with it..Slowly slowly then a screw driver blade across the top is the way to go. The second pic has no makers name.....Chris

 

P1010037.JPG

P1010038.JPG

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.




  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Topics

  • Posts

    • Hi guys I think that old hippy is correct, it opens the gates for china to manufacture aftermarket spare parts. considering that they already do work on behalf of the Swiss I guess this decision gives the a little more legitimacy to tool up and I am sure they will take advantage of the situation either with or without the blessing of the Swiss watch industry  Having read about the protectionist machinations of the Swiss in the history of Europe they were the only ones to get fat at everybody else’s expense. I think the outcome could have been guessed at but ,  fair play to Cousins UK for standing up to them.  Now the question,  will everybody boycott Swiss watches and Swatch, no way they will still fill their coffers.  Me I stick with the Japanese once renowned for cheap shitty watches who came good through industrial effort and don’t for get the Russians that most dismiss as low grade crap. Wouldn’t buy a swatch product ever how about you all.? a
    • Hold the crown when in winding position, move the click away from the crown wheel, and then while holding the crown let it slowly unwind. I recollect that you must remove the automatic device bridge first, but maybe I'm wrong. You can first try without removing the automatic device bridge.
    • nevenbekriev- You nailed it with your description of me and my reaction when the clock started ticking again. I am a newbie.  I love the sound and idea of mechanical clocks but the idea of owning one and trying to keep them running has never appealed to me. My wife bought this one and an antique German wall clock.  When I looked into having someone repair them for me, the universal response was "it's really expensive to work on them, you should just replace the movement". So, I had nothing to lose, I started researching them and opened them up. The wife is happy because she hears the sound of the clocks again. But I have gone down the "accuracy" rabbit hole. In the vertical position, the balance wheel was not floating. It was sitting on the bottom of the frame. I adjusted the lower spring collet and got it floating. It easily passed the 270 degree 3 to 5 minute oscillation test. It took 8 minutes for the wheel to completely stop moving.  I put it the unit back in the movement and checked the safety pin. It does not touch the safety roller anywhere in +/-270 degrees rotation from neutral position. But the amplitude of the rotation with the spring fully wound is weak based on what you are saying. It rotates +/-90 degrees from the neutral position.  No, I did not take the movement completely apart.  That seemed way outside my skill set at the time. There is a reason I became an electrical engineer and not a mechanical engineer. I am much more comfortable with moving electrons than tiny moving metal parts. Will I do it in the long run? Anything can happen. I don't seem to be able to let it go.
    • Isn't that the same guy who told Zelenskyy to escalate the war with Russia/Putin when they already had a peace deal? 2 years later and we have half a million young Ukranian boys dead. He doesn't seem very clever...
×
×
  • Create New...