Korean movement, bracket under main spring question

[kologha]

What purpose does this bracket serve? I dont think I have ever seen them on US movments, only Asian ones. This clock only had one of them and when I got it the spring was jammed under the guide pin above it, possible because of the bracket. Can I leave it off when I assemble the clock? Thank you

 

[wow]

These springs are so much longer and more powerful than American made 8 day springs that when they unwind they need to unwind out rather than inward. This bracket fources it to do so. It also helps you to know when to stop winding too tight. (I think). They are difficult to install unless you unwind the spring fully allowing the outer loop to open wide. Then the bracket slips in with no problem.

 

[kologha]

I just wondered because one is missing and as I said the spring on which this one was fitted had jammed. I never thought of taking a picture of it, the inner coils were wound up but the outer 3 coils were in the same position they would have been in if the spring was unwound leaving a big gap between the wound centre coils and the unwound outer coils. I pressed them toward the centre and they jumped back into position. The springs are dry on the outside so pehaps a touch of oil will prevent jamming in the future. I haven had problems fitting them in the past, just never knew why they were there.

 

[shutterbug]

If the other one is missing, you'll probably have premature stopping of the train because the spring will interfere with the wheels. It looks like the missing one is on the time side. I would look for a cheap movement to steal another one from.

 

[Willie X]

In the photo, the spring has been wound into the retainer without removing the little spreader plate. That's not good. The spring should be completely let down, plate removed, and then the spring wound back up for capture.

When you put it back together you will need to completely let the spring down again, replace the spreader plate, and then everything will be back to normal.
Willie X

 

[kologha]

Thanks Willie for telling me its name and what to do to stop further problems. The owner of the clock had it repaired some time ago and the fellow made a real mess of it soldering bits of brass with V's filed in them against loose pivots. He probably lost the other spreader plate, and the clock had not been striking and has been going and stopping. The owner was very unhappy as he paid a lot af money for the mess he got. I am undoing the mess and repairing the movt and I will have to make another spreader plate, wont be too difficult. Thanks for all your input.

 

[Willie X]

"undoing the mess" that's a big part of clock repair for everyone.
Also, everyone makes up a name for stuff like that. It does 'spread' and it is a little 'plate' ... it may never get an official name. Willie X

 

[kologha]

LOL, I think it a good name for them!

 

[Willie X]

If you look around at all the thrift stores, pawn shops, Goodwill, etc, you can find stacks of these clocks. Most were made from the early 1970s to the early 1990s. Good luck, Willie X

 

[kologha]

Thanks Willie

 

[Richard.W]

I don't think I have ever seen them on US movements, only Asian ones.

Some American clocks use a post that is pressed into either plate. This guides the mainspring to unwind outside of the plates, which is the same function. An ST 89 has 3 such posts in the rear plate.

 

[wingardclocks]

good chance i have one, you pay shipping. let me know, and time or strike side needed

 

[kologha]

good chance i have one, you pay shipping. let me know, and time or strike side needed

Thanks for the offer , but I live in South Africa where the Post Office is currently in liquidation and hasnt been working since before covid, so as much as I would love to take you up on your offer, the logistics just don't allow it. Of course one could courier the parcel but that is out of the question due to cost. Our currency is about ZAR18 to 1US$

 

[shutterbug]

Korean movements are available almost everywhere. Check your local stores for old non working clocks. If the part looks right, it should work.

 

[kologha]

Old non working clocks in SA go at a premium! I have never seen an old clock being given away for a few bucks, mores the pity. They generally want between R600 & R1000 for an old non working clock.

 

[kologha]

South Africans nearly all believe that age = value and I suspect that those who buy the clocks put quartz movements, which can be had very cheaply, into the cases and then brag that they have a very valuable clock!!!

 

[shutterbug]

LOL. So find one of those guys and offer him a little for the "extra part"

 

[kinsler33]

What purpose does this bracket serve? I dont think I have ever seen them on US movments, only Asian ones. This clock only had one of them and when I got it the spring was jammed under the guide pin above it, possible because of the bracket. Can I leave it off when I assemble the clock? Thank you

View attachment 757944 View attachment 757946

Yup. You need both of those parts. When I removed them from a customer's clock it would no longer strike because the springs interfered with the strike hammer.