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Mainspring replacement

Folkvisor

By Folkvisor
in Watch Repairs Help & Advice

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Folkvisor Super WRT Addict

Folkvisor

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I recently tried to put a mainspring in my Waltham with rather disastrous results. I broke it by putting it the wrong way - my bad entirely...

It has a hole end spring and I found it difficult getting the hole over the cleat/pin on the barrel.

Any suggestions, tricks or incantations would be appreciated.

Dave

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oldhippy Distinguished Member

oldhippy

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Are you using a mainspring winder? If not I think, it depends on the best way for you. I have in the past hooked the spring on before winding it in. Fit the spring in about half an inch before the hook so when you go to wind it up the spring slips on the hook, in order to do this you do not need to fit the barrel into the movement, just hold it and wind it with pin tongs. In some cases, the hook part is too close to the barrel so it needs to be bent a little, but not to much as it will rub on the spring and wear through. I am sure with practise you will find your best way.

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Folkvisor Super WRT Addict

Folkvisor

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Thank you for the advice.

Excuse my ignorance but what are pin tongs? Could I use small needle-nose pliers to wind the spring? I'm thinking even a large pair of tweezers would work.

I'm sure that after breaking a couple more springs I'll be pretty good at it.

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oldhippy Distinguished Member

oldhippy

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41 minutes ago, Folkvisor said:

Thank you for the advice.

Excuse my ignorance but what are pin tongs? Could I use small needle-nose pliers to wind the spring? I'm thinking even a large pair of tweezers would work.

I'm sure that after breaking a couple more springs I'll be pretty good at it.

Pin tongs or pin vices see here.

https://www.cousinsuk.com/category/pin-vices-chucks-tongs

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    • Neverenoughwatches
      Stem removal after fitting hands

      By Neverenoughwatches · Posted

      That's the right technique Mal 👍 If you are ok with a loupe ( which I'm not ) then pick up the dial in your left hand and make a tripod holder out of 3 fingers and then exactly how Mal and me described with your right hand, press and flick out the stem at the same time. You need three fingers to do this, i use my ring ring finger , sounds like mal uses his little finger, just whatever you feel comfortable with. The key point and dangerous side to this is the tweezers or driver slipping off the release screw. Stablise your left arm by resting your elbow on your bench, so that you can hold the movement horizontally flat, use a x5 loupe to view  and good light so you can see well and have a good tight fitting screwdriver to push the release down. Or as suggested a pusher mounted solid upside-down somewhere then all you need to do is push your movement up to it. I'll rig something up in a bit to show you what i mean.
    • Neverenoughwatches
      Leaving the forum for a while.

      By Neverenoughwatches · Posted

      Thanks Michael, shes a real soldier, it would take a tank to knock her off her feet.  Shes surprised even me and i knew she was a tough cookie.  Good for you Michael, you keep at it. I've been reading your posts re. your watchroom they're inspiring and it doesn't matter how long it takes you to get there its about the journey. Rome wasn't built in a day, our watchcaves are our solitudes, our own little empires where we can shut ourselves away from the crap that goes on around us in the world. I look forward to seeing you progress, I have my own ideas how i like to do things. But in answer to your questions on that thread, just let your workspace evolve around you and how you work. You wont figure it out straight away but you will know when to change it and when to leave it alone. But most of all just enjoy it.
    • Malocchio
      Stem removal after fitting hands

      By Malocchio · Posted

      That can be tricky. Sometimes I hold the movement from the edges in left hand and with right hand I push the release with tweezers and simultaneously pull the stem out with right hand pinky or something. 
    • PeterS
      Stem removal after fitting hands

      By PeterS · Posted

      I see what you mean. I must admit I’m not entirely comfortable with that but I can’t see a better method than what you suggest. I’d like to see something like this mirror with a short spike: https://www.cousinsuk.com/product/mirror-for-observing-movements Place it on, push the spike on the post with one hand and release the stem with the other hand. Minor problem, it doesn’t exist.
    • Michael1962
      Leaving the forum for a while.

      By Michael1962 · Posted

      Hope you mum keeps on mending. I was adamant that I was going to get myself going after my stroke. I was only 52. I still have a lot of life left to live. Some people give up. Some people don't let it beat them. Your mum sounds like one of the winners. 👍
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