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David M.
07-28-2003, 02:24 AM
Greetings,
I need to inspect and clean the mainsprings in a New Haven bim/bam. The problem is that the springs are contained in boxes (not barrels). Because of this arrangement, I have no idea how to safely remove the springs from the boxes because the configuration is wrong for my MS winder. A containment sleeve from my winder can't reach the spring because the wheel and click assembly is in the way. Any guidance from the pros out there would be greatly appreciated. I believe a similar box-spring setup is in the Seth Thomas #124.

Thanks
David
David M.
07-28-2003, 02:24 AM
Greetings,
I need to inspect and clean the mainsprings in a New Haven bim/bam. The problem is that the springs are contained in boxes (not barrels). Because of this arrangement, I have no idea how to safely remove the springs from the boxes because the configuration is wrong for my MS winder. A containment sleeve from my winder can't reach the spring because the wheel and click assembly is in the way. Any guidance from the pros out there would be greatly appreciated. I believe a similar box-spring setup is in the Seth Thomas #124.

Thanks
David
doug sinclair
07-28-2003, 03:09 AM
David,

I do the odd Seth Thomas Westminster chime clock. These present the same problem.I solved the problem several years ago by making a dummy arbor (no wheel of course) so that the mainspring winder will do the job.

Doug S.
tomrsey
07-31-2003, 02:18 PM
Great tip Doug. Thanks

Tom Seymour
NAWCC # 41293
DJDasher
08-04-2003, 02:38 AM
Doug,

I have much the same problem as David had, i.e. the wheel assembly being in the way of, and preventing the insertion of, a containment sleeve. If I might ask, how did you fashion your dummy arbor?

Thanks,

Dennis
doug sinclair
08-04-2003, 05:12 AM
Dennis,

I used 10 mm steel stock and turned it in my lathe to match the dimensions of the original arbor. Then milled a square on the front end, and drilled it across the hub and drove in a steel hook for the center of the mainspring. Simple to do. I could send a picture, but I don't know how to downsize my images to a decent size.

Doug