Making a steel click spring

[willofiam]

There are many types and styles of click springs for our mechanical clocks. This particular one is for a Gustav Becker P-42 time and strike wall clock movement. Notice the previous repair on the left and the right one was pretty rough, though they both functioned, I found it enjoyable to remake both pieces to look as original as possible.

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[willofiam]

I know I could have sourced a spring from a supplier but I found it a great learning experience to fabricate one myself, not only that but some styles you cannot find the style needed. Here is the original that is in rough shape. I used this one as a template

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Using a old mainspring for the steel

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cut off, annealed and layout blue applied

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I first made a template to give close dimensions that I can have for the future

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[willofiam]

A good way to hold my template to the steel

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Traced out, rough cut and ready for filing or grinding to size and shape.

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[willofiam]

Using the watchmakers lathe the small cutoff disk was perfect for grinding out the slot for the tab, and some other areas. I just used a paper towel to cover the headstock

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[willofiam]

Final filing, using the top of the vise as a straight edge works well.

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Finding where the screw hole goes I drilled those out. Mounted in the vise I used a very careful tapping with a hammer and large punch, the bend does not have to be a sharp angle but it does have to be in the right spot. What I mean is when it is sitting on the plate the spring will have a bit of clearance so it doesnt rub the plate.

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[willofiam]

Before moving forward I checked the clearance of the spring and the tab and hole alignment.

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Using a round nose pliers I bent the shape to be similar to the original. I say similar because the original was tweaked a bit out of shape.

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A quick test of function before hardening.

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[willofiam]

Wrapping in iron binding wire I wanted to make sure that when I heated it up it would not expand too far.

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After polishing, heat treating, a careful test to see if the spring was in the right spot (so I didnt break them), tempered and ready for the movement.

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[willofiam]

A test before working on the movement.

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Looks alot nicer than before doesn't it? The customer really like the fact that I did this for his clock.

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[namonllor1953]

Sweeeet!!!
I love good craftsmanship!

Ren

[jim1228]

Great job on the click springs William, they look original. Also really like the step by step how to pics.

Jim

[willofiam]

Thank you Ren and Jim. Have fun, William

[Bernie Weishapl]

Click springs look great William. I have had to do a few of those that were jury-rigged in movements.

[brianw]

Thanks William, keep up the good work. Brian.

[willofiam]

Thanks Bernie and Brian, your comments are encouraging. Have a great day, William

[gerene]

Nicely done, thanks for the explanation!

Jan

[khoward279]

Great job William.

[willofiam]

Hey Jan and Kevin, thank you for the kind words, hope all is well. William

[tukat44]

Hey, William, I know its pretty straight forward the way you have laid this out for us but if I am to be as candid as I can be, the way you have gone about it would have never occurred to me. It took actually seeing the way it developed every step before I understood that the bend to secure it to the clock plate was not a twisty thing but just a place to be flat so it could be secured. Many thanks because this is not as complicated as I believed it to be- and using a piece of clock spring, letting the hardness out then restoring the temper after making it right, I appreciate that you took the time to share this with us. Regards, Tukat

[willofiam]