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Just venting, got a dud Ollie Baker Mainspring winder

Tmuir
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Tmuir Distinguished Member

Tmuir

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I'm just venting a bit, after nearly a year of thinking about buying one I finally ordered an Ollie Baker Clock Mainspring winder from the USA to be shipped to me in Australia.

I received it a few weeks ago, but due to me spraining my wrist I only went to use it for the first time this week.

After mounting it to a board and going to use it I discovered it has several manufacturing defects.

1) The 'tailstock' is several millimeters higher than the headstock, so it holds the mainsprings at an angles.

2)The headstock has been machined off center ever so slightly so it wobbles up and down when turned, this wouldn't be a huge issue if the tailstock wasn't already several mms higher.

3) The pin that holds the click up to stop the winder from turning backwards has not been finished off properly leaving a sharp edge on it which catches and stops you from flicking it over to change the direction when it is under load, although this is only a minor problem that I can easily fix

4) I would not even complain about this if I didn't have the other problems, but the winding handle is just screwed to the arm by an allen screw, which of course unwinds itself when you turn the handle, again this is something I can easily fix, but shouldn't have to.

 

I've contacted the seller who has been around for a while and hopefully they will help resolve the problem, but just annoyed I've waited all this time and got a dud.

I can resolve issue 3 and 4 if the seller can resolve atleast issue 1. Of course the big question is it the headstock, or the tailstock that was manufactuered to the incorrect height...

If they don't want to come to the party I purchased via paypal so will take it to them and they will resolve it, but would rather go first directly to the seller and hope we can resolve it between ourselves

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clockboy Distinguished Member

clockboy

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34 minutes ago, Tmuir said:

I'm just venting a bit, after nearly a year of thinking about buying one I finally ordered an Ollie Baker Clock Mainspring winder from the USA to be shipped to me in Australia.

I received it a few weeks ago, but due to me spraining my wrist I only went to use it for the first time this week.

After mounting it to a board and going to use it I discovered it has several manufacturing defects.

1) The 'tailstock' is several millimeters higher than the headstock, so it holds the mainsprings at an angles.

2)The headstock has been machined off center ever so slightly so it wobbles up and down when turned, this wouldn't be a huge issue if the tailstock wasn't already several mms higher.

3) The pin that holds the click up to stop the winder from turning backwards has not been finished off properly leaving a sharp edge on it which catches and stops you from flicking it over to change the direction when it is under load, although this is only a minor problem that I can easily fix

4) I would not even complain about this if I didn't have the other problems, but the winding handle is just screwed to the arm by an allen screw, which of course unwinds itself when you turn the handle, again this is something I can easily fix, but shouldn't have to.

 

I've contacted the seller who has been around for a while and hopefully they will help resolve the problem, but just annoyed I've waited all this time and got a dud.

I can resolve issue 3 and 4 if the seller can resolve atleast issue 1. Of course the big question is it the headstock, or the tailstock that was manufactuered to the incorrect height...

If they don't want to come to the party I purchased via paypal so will take it to them and they will resolve it, but would rather go first directly to the seller and hope we can resolve it between ourselves

I have had a Ollie for several years and have no problems what so ever. Are you sure it is a genuine Ollie. The Ollie baker is well made and solid.

Tmuir Distinguished Member

Tmuir

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Its an Ollie Baker 'style' mainspring winder, it does have the companies name engraved onto it that made it, but wont post it yet as I may of just got a 'Friday Afternoon' apprentice piece and as long as its sorted I will be happy with that.

The parts are solid enough, its just someone miss measured on one part and were a bit slack on the finish of another part.

Tmuir Distinguished Member

Tmuir

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Just to keep everyone updated I have been in touch with where I purchased the widner from and provided photos and measurements and they have been in touch with the manufacturer and they are going to machine me up replacement head and tailstocks for the winder, so hopefully in a couple of weeks it will all be resolved.

  • 1 month later...
Tmuir Distinguished Member

Tmuir

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Just to follow up I received replacement parts during this week and just reassembled my mainspring winder today and it all looks good, so problem is now solved.

Yes this was made by the main supplier of these in the USA, I know of 4 other people with the same brand of mainspring winder and theirs had no issues, I must of just got unlucky, but the manufacturer just going by my photos agreed their was an issue and made me the new parts and sent them to me at their expense so I am happy.

Now I can finally reassemble the clock barrels I am working on.

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