Mainspring Winding - getting the hook in

[Neverenoughwatches]

7 hours ago, GPrideaux said:

I do not intend to become a YouTuber, but if I ever did my channel would be called "Mistakes were made" and would be principally about my stuff-ups, what I learn from them, and how I recover.

Lol thats a good title and more polite than mine would be . If I'm not mistaken Alex Hamilton changed the title of his channel and altered his vocabulary for that reason, he didn't remain true to himself . Ahhh the things you do to stay in favour, now I'm wondering if Hamilton is his real name ? Think I'll change mine to  Cartier..it might make me more popular 

7 hours ago, HectorLooi said:

Another tip I have for easier winding into the barrel is to lightly lubricate the mainspring with grease.

Yep me too, and with a manual I always paint a thin layer around the winder barrel wall to help the spring slide out.

31 minutes ago, Malocchio said:

Filing is a good option. I filed one so that it releases when winding backwards. Adjustable winder is a really great but for some reason forgotten invention.

What do mean forgotten invention Malocchio ?

[Malocchio]

2 hours ago, Neverenoughwatches said:

What do mean forgotten invention Malocchio ?

Kind of abandoned. There would probably be market for a good adjustable winder but nobody makes them anymore. Many people new to watchmaking don't even know they exist. I guess there are enough calibre specific winders and replacing the spring is the easiest option but a hobbyist could really use one.

[Neverenoughwatches]

50 minutes ago, Malocchio said:

Kind of abandoned. There would probably be market for a good adjustable winder but nobody makes them anymore. Many people new to watchmaking don't even know they exist. I guess there are enough calibre specific winders and replacing the spring is the easiest option but a hobbyist could really use one.

I love them,I own 2 sets now. I thought the second set had an extra one that I didn't have with my first, but it turned out to have two winders of the same size. Great tools though once you've mastered the technique of them.

[mbwatch]

5 hours ago, Malocchio said:

I filed one so that it releases when winding backwards

Ah, the whole reason I have that set is to be able to wind either direction. In practice any time I work on a lefthand spring I either end up hand winding it, or using a trick to flip it from one of my C&E Marshall winder barrels into another before it goes into the watch barrel (rarely workable). I don't really work on vintage Seiko or Orient movements so my left wound springs are mostly in pin lever Roskopf barrels.

But your directional filing gives me an idea to watch for the extra K&D arbors that are often floating around tool lots without their adjustable handles. Then I could make a right and a left.

[HectorLooi]

I have filed all my K&D arbor hooks down to just about the thickness of an average mainspring and have no problem getting the hook out by back winding the arbor. I didn't file the hook at an angle and it works for both left and right windings.

But modern mainsprings are lower than vintage springs and I had to pound the arbor into the handle to lower the height, to reduce the amount of space between the winding handle and the mainspring, so that the spring doesn't twist and get stuck under the coils of the spring.

[Neverenoughwatches]

45 minutes ago, mbwatch said:

Ah, the whole reason I have that set is to be able to wind either direction. In practice any time I work on a lefthand spring I either end up hand winding it, or using a trick to flip it from one of my C&E Marshall winder barrels into another before it goes into the watch barrel (rarely workable). I don't really work on vintage Seiko or Orient movements so my left wound springs are mostly in pin lever Roskopf barrels.

But your directional filing gives me an idea to watch for the extra K&D arbors that are often floating around tool lots without their adjustable handles. Then I could make a right and a left.

And that was the second reason for buying the second set...not so much to give the hook a direction but just to reduce the pin height so the arbor can be used bi-directional. And yes i have seen the finger and thumb turns unsuspectingly mixed in with jobs lots. If you had a lathe you could make them, get a lathe.... you know you want one .

[mbwatch]

2 hours ago, Neverenoughwatches said:

. you know you want one

I know I know I know. A year ago I assumed I would never ever reach a point or skill level where I would need a lathe, but I admit I have been shopping a little and doing the background research. Still, jacot tool comes first and maybe then a microscope. I don't have the money for this stuff but ...