ClockClass - Handling Mainsprings

This tutorial from the ClockClass DVD selection, "Handling Mainsprings," shows a safety technique for corralling the power of a clock mainspring. This is necessary if the clock movement is to be taken apart.

[@williambarry2194]

First off, I'm not familiar with clocks internally. What I'm trying to do, is remove a mainspring barrel from the movement. The mainspring no longer winds, so I would say that the only power it has should be minimal, you would know better than I. I know about the click, and I guess I would have to fully release the mainspring completely before removal. However my biggest problem now, is once I release all the power, how do I remove the barrel from the movement? Thanks in advance for any reply. The clock is a Wuber Warmink (Dutch, I believe), if you need a pic of it, let me know where to send it. I plan to send it to a clock repair person to put a new spring in.Bill

[@thebaron44]

I have looked in clock supply catalogs and there is no such thing as mainspring ''clips''.
There are there are mainspring clamp , both courved and flat for loop end (open) springs
There are no ''clips'' for hole end (barrel) springs..but there are sleeves.

[@clockclass5480]

Thanks for catching that! You are correct, I used a term not found in the parts catalogs and should have called them "clamps" or "sleeves."

[@mikeshepherd5016]

Sir: I would be very interested to know how you got that exploded spring safely out of the clip, or what method would you recommend? Thanks Mike

[@clockclass5480]

Hi Mike- I keep that particular example intact for training purposes. However, it would be a simple matter to remove the pieces since the mainspring no longer has much energy. It is just a bundle of fragments which can be pushed out so the safety clip can be reused. if the pieces can't be removed by hand, they can be driven out with a punch.

[@ninobenjamin4067]

Do you need a clamp is the springs are in barrels?

[@clockclass5480]

Great question! In order to disassemble a movement where the mainsprings are in barrels, all that’s needed is to let the mainsprings down inside the barrels. No safety clips are necessary. However, it is often necessary to use a safety clip in order to remove the mainspring from the barrel. Certain types of mainspring winders come with specialized clips for that purpose.

[@ninobenjamin4067]

@@clockclass5480 thanks for the reply!!

[@thebaron44]

@@ninobenjamin4067 They are called sleeves not clips.

[@joshuastaggs4638]

do you have to use a clip when unwinding the mainspring?

[@clockclass5480]

Joshua Staggs. No, but... Without the safety clip it is difficult to tell if all of the power is off of the gear trains. Also, the mainsprings can be really large when completely unwound and will invariably put lateral pressure on any gears they contact. In lieu of a safety clip, I’ve heard of people using zip ties or wire but I don’t trust those. So, safety first! Use a clip :-).

[@joshuastaggs4638]

ClockClass Thanks! I went ahead and bought clips. I'm fixing up a 1905 Gilbert clock, and right now I'm disassembling it. Trying to make it look new again.

[@thebaron44]

@@joshuastaggs4638 They are not clips, they are clamps.