mainspring chart

[johnboy]

I thought finding a good mainspring chart would be easy on the message board. I know I have found one in the past that worked but not now. Just try searching for one.
Can someone direct me to a good chart for an Ansonia B25 movement?

 

[Willie X]

If you post a photo, someone may have that movement and be kind enough to check the spring dimensions for you.

The main thing you need to know is the thickness/strength of a properly working spring.

You didn't mention why you were looking for a new spring?

Willie X

 

[bruce linde]

there are several 'sticky' threads at the top of the 'clock repair' forum. under 'how to do it' articles is a link to the mainspring chart:

https://mb.nawcc.org/wiki/Encyclopedia-Subjects/Clock-Repair/Clock-Mainspring-Chart

 

[Karl Thies]

Here are some charts for mainsprings that I have:

 

[johnboy]

Here are some charts for mainsprings that I have:

Thanks to all. The charts Karl posted were the ones I was looking for.
It appears I do need to get some new mainsprings. I have cleaned and oiled the movement, have everything timed out and it appeared to run, strike and chime ok w/o the chime mechanism attached. But when I added the chime mechanism it will barely moves it. All I can say is when I had the springs out they did not expand what I thought they should. The chime spring is 1.0" x .019 thickness and I don't see that listed anywhere.
You can see the movement on my thread 'Ansonia odd autocorrect'.

 

[Vernon]

There is one by S. LaRose that was posted by Teaclocks or just Google. It shows which clock go with which spring.
Edit: Ah, That is a good one Karl!
Vernon

 

[Willie X]

Did you pull the spring out most of its length and sand/steel wool it down good, or at least check that the surfaces are clean and smooth. Look up 'servicing mainsprings'. The springs are rarely the problem and you can count the 'turns of available power' to check what you have there. Willie X

 

[Karl Thies]

Here is the newest mainspring chart from Timesavers:

 

[johnboy]

Did you pull the spring out most of its length and sand/steel wool it down good, or at least check that the surfaces are clean and smooth. Look up 'servicing mainsprings'. The springs are rarely the problem and you can count the 'turns of available power' to check what you have there. Willie X

The springs were thoroughly cleaned, steel cleaned, wiped clean and oiled properly.
Please explain 'counting turns of available power".

 

[Willie X]

Willie's Turns of Power, abbreviated version:

1 - Let the MS completely down.
2 - Wind the spring until you hear the the spring make its first 'shuffle'. This is usually around 2 full (360°) turns.
3 - Now, from the shuffle point, continue winding and carefully count the number of turns it takes to wind the spring up tight. This number is usually around 5 (360°) turns.
4 - Mark the MS barrel and see exactly how many turns it takes to run your clock 24 hours. This number will usually be between .5 and 1, on this type clock. On most American clocks it's a given @ 2.
5 - Finally, divide the number from step 3 by the number in step 4. This number will be very close to the number of days your clock should run, with the spring in question. I call this method 'Willies turns of power'.

I've used this method many times to spot many difficult to find problems.

Note, many clocks, similar to yours, will not quite make an 8-Day run. They will run well for 5 or 6 days, then slow to a crawl and stop. I instruct people who have these short runners to simply wind them twice per week. This is especially important on the S-T clocks which have to be manually reset when they stop ...

Good luck, Willie X

 

[johnboy]

Willie's Turns of Power, abbreviated version:

1 - Let the MS completely down.
2 - Wind the spring until you hear the the spring make its first 'shuffle'. This is usually around 2 full (360°) turns.
3 - Now, from the shuffle point, continue winding and carefully count the number of turns it takes to wind the spring up tight. This number is usually around 5 (360°) turns.
4 - Mark the MS barrel and see exactly how many turns it takes to run your clock 24 hours. This number will usually be between .5 and 1, on this type clock. On most American clocks it's a given @ 2.
5 - Finally, divide the number from step 3 by the number in step 4. This number will be very close to the number of days your clock should run, with the spring in question. I call this method 'Willies turns of power'.

I've used this method many times to spot many difficult to find problems.

Note, many clocks, similar to yours, will not quite make an 8-Day run. They will run well for 5 or 6 days, then slow to a crawl and stop. I instruct people who have these short runners to simply wind them twice per week. This is especially important on the S-T clocks which have to be manually reset when they stop ...

Good luck, Willie X

Interesting! Willies turn of power.
You are saying mark the MS barrel and see how many turns the MS barrel makes in 24 hrs. Then the calculation will show how long the movement should run.
This is assuming the mainspring is strong enough the run 7 days and the movement is in good condition.
So after this calculation if the movement only runs 5 days does that tell you the MS is weak?
Just asking.

 

[Willie X]

I can tell you want the mainspring to be weak and you think replacing it will cure your problem but I've been doing this a very long time and that's probably not going to happen the way you have it planed. The test is all about telling you how long your clock will run, as is. If the MS is indeed week, it will not supply the number of turns to go 8 days.

The only 'assumption' is that your mainspring is the right one for the clock. The one it came with, or a suitable replacement. So, I would encourage you to check that out. At least try your best. Definite answers to "the right mainspring" for that clock will be few and far between. The best answer will come from someone who has a clock like yours, that's in good running condition, or good notes on the clock in question.

Willie X

 

[johnboy]

I can tell you want the mainspring to be weak and you think replacing it will cure your problem but I've been doing this a very long time and that's probably not going to happen the way you have it planed. The test is all about telling you how long your clock will run, as is. If the MS is indeed week, it will not supply the number of turns to go 8 days.

The only 'assumption' is that your mainspring is the right one for the clock. The one it came with, or a suitable replacement. So, I would encourage you to check that out. At least try your best. Definite answers to "the right mainspring" for that clock will be few and far between. The best answer will come from someone who has a clock like yours, that's in good running condition, or good notes on the clock in question.

Willie X

Yes I agree. I was hoping to find a chart that had that movement listed with the mainspring identified. But so far I have not seen it.
Just a note of clarification. The problem I am having is with the chime train not running, not the time or the strike. The chime mechanism itself does not seem to need an unusual amount of power to run. It is relatively free in movement. And the chime train by itself runs good. It just doesn't run when it is assembled together.

 

[Willie X]

All together (with no load) the train should spin freely with moderate finger pressure on the edge of the 2nd wheel. Put in the MS barrel and wind it about 1/2 turn. With no load, the fly should spin freely.

If not, you will need to look for the problem area. Light to moderate wear in several places will stop your train, just as fast as severe wear in one place.

Do you have Dr. David Goodman's book.
His methods to find 'sticking points' was very good. He didn't believe in doing any repair work until you had the problem pinpointed.

Willie X