How To Release Tension From The Mainspring

[rogart63]

On this Seiko 6R15C movement . I want to remove the tension before i take the parts of .

 

[Geo]

The pictures a bit fuzzy Roger, but remove the magic finger and pinion that it drives by removing the large bridge on top of the movement. Now get a good fitting screwdriver and turn the barrel slightly to release the click. Hold the click out of engagement with a piece of pegwood then let the screwdriver rotate while controlling it with your fingers until there is no tension left in the spring.

[rogart63]

Perfect  :) . Wasn't sure i could remove the magic finger without something freewheeling . 

[rogart63]

Working great @Geo . My good there is many parts in this movement  :blink:

[Geo]

You'll do it Roger!

[rogart63]

Taking some pictures so hope i can do a how to later . 

[rogart63]

Can't take the mainspring barrel apart ? Is it ment to be taken apart . Bad pictures i now but can't make it focus any more then that .

 

 

 

[Marc]

From memory Seiko barrels are a little different to the Swiss offerings but the following could be mistaken.

Look at the barrel edge on.

You should see a thin line that runs around the circumference of the barrel half way up its height; this is the join between the barrel and its lid.

using a single edged razor blade push the blade into this joint and work it around the barrel; the two halves should start to separate. 

Repeat with successively wider blades until the two halves can be separated by hand.

[rogart63]

Found this now :)  It looks the same as mine . http://www.clockmaker.com.au/diy_seiko_7s26/chapter10.html

And look he winds the spring  without finger condoms :)

Edited June 18, 2015 by rogart63

[rogart63]

How easy everything is when you now how to do it . Thanks @Marc

[Geo]

To open the barrel, I usually position the barrel as in the first picture, on a hard surface. Open your tweezers wide and locate the barrel between the blades then press down hard on the tweezers and the barrel should pop open.

[evn137BANNED]

How easy everything is when you now how to do it . Thanks @Marc

That's why I enjoy this forum. Lots of technical help available, even sourcing material.

For newbies like me it reassuring.

Cheers!

[Mark]

To open the barrel, I usually position the barrel as in the first picture, on a hard surface. Open your tweezers wide and locate the barrel between the blades then press down hard on the tweezers and the barrel should pop open.

 

 

Not so easy with a Seiko barrel :)

 

Best to use a razor blade very carefully so as not to damage the teeth or burr the metal so a very sharp razor is required. 

Not sure what the official Seiko way of doing it is but this method has served me well over the years.

 

The reason is that the barrel cap is similar to the Valjoux 7750 but worse, the lip goes right down to the barrel teeth.

 

**Edit** Just notice that Marc has already provided this info - apologies to Marc 

[Geo]

Ah, that must be different to the last Seiko I worked on, as it opened as I described. I'll file this in the memory bank just in case I come across one like this. Thanks Mark! :)

[bobm12]

Just in case, here is a good link about this movement: http://www.watchrepairtalk.com/topic/1635-seiko-nh36-walkthrough/

[Blacklab]

Tend to do the same as Geo on the Seiko barrels, but I use cheapo brass tweezers.

 

One question though how do you let the spring down on a Smiths?:

no screw to hold the tension.

[Geo]

Turn the crown slightly in the winding direction to allow you to hold the flat click spring back with back with a piece of pegwood. Now let the crown spin under control between your fingers to let the spring unwind.

[Blacklab]

Cheers Geo. Now why-o-why-o-why didn't I think of that. Beachy Head here I c

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                                                                                                                            splat!

[Geo]

We all have these wee moments BL.

I like a nice Smiths and look forward to seeing the end result. :)