Tascione

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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Sweeeet!!!
I love good craftsmanship!

Ren

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

Jim

Thank you Ren and Jim. Have fun, William

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

Thanks William, keep up the good work. Brian.

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

Nicely done, thanks for the explanation!

Jan

Great job William.

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

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