Rusty Clock Springs

[Dick HParticipant @dickh]

I´ve been given a spring driven regulator style clock mechanism. Sentimental value, no case. I was told it had been "over wound", I suspect the drive springs are rusted together. Before taking it apart I would like to obviously let down the springs rather than them potentially free themselves during disassembly. Any suggestions? Marinate in rust remover?

Not sure how to proceed.

Suggestions welcome.

Dick

[Dick HParticipant @dickh]

[Richard MarksParticipant @richardmarks80868]

I had that problem but it wasn't rust it was the thick grease that had hardened and stuck the leaves together.

[alan-lloydParticipant @alan-lloyd]

The guy in the Repair Shop on tele, said theres no such thing as over wound, its probably dirt or old oil gone hard

[BazParticipant @baz89810]

Dick, whatever you do please be very careful, there is a lot of stored energy in clock springs and can do you serious harm.

[JohnFParticipant @johnf59703]

Dick, my knowledge of clocks is relatively small, I have some but others on here will I'm sure have a much greater knowledge. However I would suggest remove the movement from the case then remove the pointers and the dial – should be self explanatory on how to. For the pointers you may need to make a puller – plenty of info on the internet.

To let down the spring make sure the movement is secure i.e. cannot move, then use the winding key on the shaft to control the spring and release the ratchet on the back of the drum – do this is easy stages so its controlled, it will get easier as the tension becomes less.

Hope this helps

John

[roy entwistleParticipant @royentwistle24699]

Dick where abouts do you live, someone local may have the means to let the springs down. John's method above will work if you know what you're doing but can be dangerous.

Roy

[Dick HParticipant @dickh]

Many thanks for the comments. I am aware of the dangers of letting down clock springs and could do it safely. The problem is the uncertain nature of the beast due to the corrosion/thick grease etc. I think I will immerse the mechanism in a hydrocarbon and see if this changes the feel of the springs, failing this rust killer of some sort. I just don´t want it to go off whilst I´m dismantlling it! I was just after a bit of wisdom.

Dick.

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

Don't use any rust treatment of any kind on the clock as a whole as it will attack the brass. No home made remedies, colas, vinegars, jellies, fancy proprietary names, chelates etc all contain acid or equivalent.

Once 'let down' the spring will still be under tension in the barrel so still an energy hazard. Once you have got it out of there still don't use a rust treatment. A rusty spring still springs but many rust treatments affect the microcracks in the tensioned side causing failure. You are better off cleaning with a brass brush that is not hard enough to make surface scratches and relubricating.

Clock springs can be broken. The guy on the TV is an idiot. The common problem is that the spring breaks at the arbor fixing point, or that rivet fails, however if you are feeling that it is still under tension then that isn't the problem.

[Mike CrossfieldParticipant @mikecrossfield92481]

“The guy on the TV is an idiot”

That’s a bit harsh Bazyle. I saw the programme mentioned, and what the chap said was that people often say a clock has been “overwound”, but that’s often not the problem, and one would have to really strain on the key to do damage. Sure, springs can break in normal usage, but the comment was not unreasonable. And from the apparent quality of work that the man in question does, and his 40 years experience of clock repairs, he should know what he’s talking about.

[jwbParticipant @jwb]

'The guy on the TV is an idiot.'

That's offensive. Moderators?

[CirclipParticipant @circlip]

Seems that "The Idiot" made a living out of horological repairs, some idiot.

Regards Ian.

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

It's not always possible to remove an unwound spring safely.

You should let it down into a proper tool that keeps it compressed and allows you to let it down away from the clock.

clockworks.com/ebook/eb2/springdriven5.html

Neil

P.S. I'm not going to police petty insults. They are best dealt with by the responses of other posters.

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