Springs For Clocks

[Richard Stowe R.I.P.]

Springs for clocks.

Are the main springs that run under the bar puller (for want of a better description)available and where can they be purchased.

thanks

Dick.

[Chris_Sav]

Is this what Tony Martin has contacted me about please? only he asked after the clock spring not the bar pull handle main spring.

Was planning to bring a clock spring up to Sudbury for one of the Oxford guys to take.

www.ebay.co.uk/usr/nickcwizardscx?_trksid=p2047675.l2559

I used this guy to make up a batch of clock springs to the same spec. He was very helpful.

If you get a batch made you need tension springs not compression, length and thickness of the wire and end loop info.

[barbelman]

Mar 15, 2016 23:14:37 GMT Chris_Sav said:

Is this what Tony Martin has contacted me about please? only he asked after the clock spring not the bar pull handle main spring.

I doubt it's the same clock Chris.....

Tony

[Richard Stowe R.I.P.]

No it's not the same... The spring on the clock in the Gladiator Club broke,and
I had to rob one from one of my three spare clocks, which now means I only have
two working clocks left.

regards

Dick

[Chris_Sav]

I'll get a few made, will need to check that the spring is the same on English and French clocks.

[Chris_Sav]

Been looking into the technical aspects of the springs and there is much more to this than meets the eye.


Bar billiard clocks stretch the springs way beyond the tolerances that cheaper springs are designed for. E.G. Carbon steel clock springs are 70mm in length and stretch to 135mm at full bar pull. Typical carbon steel replacements are only designed to stretch to 105mm. Also the bigger the coil, the bigger the allowable stretch.


I don't know what the original springs were made of but the are not as strong as the carbon steel ones I had made. I suspect oiled music (piano) wire as these are the best going with considerably more allowable stretch and resistance to fatigue. I've found a company that makes them and am considering ordering a batch of clock, bar pull and latch springs.

Anyone else interested?. cost looks to be £4 a spring for these best quality springs.

[barbelman]

Mar 31, 2016 7:48:33 GMT Chris_Sav said:

Been looking into the technical aspects of the springs and there is much more to this than meets the eye.


Bar billiard clocks stretch the springs way beyond the tolerances that cheaper springs are designed for. E.G. Carbon steel clock springs are 70mm in length and stretch to 135mm at full bar pull. Typical carbon steel replacements are only designed to stretch to 105mm. Also the bigger the coil, the bigger the allowable stretch.


I don't know what the original springs were made of but the are not as strong as the carbon steel ones I had made. I suspect oiled music (piano) wire as these are the best going with considerably more allowable stretch and resistance to fatigue. I've found a company that makes them and am considering ordering a batch of clock, bar pull and latch springs.

Anyone else interested?. cost looks to be £4 a spring for these best quality springs.

On the basis that they will have an (almost) infinite shelflife, yes please Chris.  It would be silly not to!   I think a couple of each would be prudent if that is sufficient to make it worth your while?

Once again, thanks for your investigations and thoroughness!
Tony

Mar 31, 2016 9:25:19 GMT barbelman said:

Mar 31, 2016 7:48:33 GMT Chris_Sav said:

Been looking into the technical aspects of the springs and there is much more to this than meets the eye.


Bar billiard clocks stretch the springs way beyond the tolerances that cheaper springs are designed for. E.G. Carbon steel clock springs are 70mm in length and stretch to 135mm at full bar pull. Typical carbon steel replacements are only designed to stretch to 105mm. Also the bigger the coil, the bigger the allowable stretch.


I don't know what the original springs were made of but the are not as strong as the carbon steel ones I had made. I suspect oiled music (piano) wire as these are the best going with considerably more allowable stretch and resistance to fatigue. I've found a company that makes them and am considering ordering a batch of clock, bar pull and latch springs.

Anyone else interested?. cost looks to be £4 a spring for these best quality springs.

On the basis that they will have an (almost) infinite shelflife, yes please Chris.  It would be silly not to!   I think a couple of each would be prudent if that is sufficient to make it worth your while?

Once again, thanks for your investigations and thoroughness!
Tony

Yes please, Chris.

I will tak a few of each.

[Stuart Grennan]

Yes please Chris.

I'll take one of each.

Stuart

[Chris_Sav]

Duly noted guys, I won't be ordering for a few days as I want to run some tests on a couple of clocks in different states of repair and to ultrasonically clean the mech and see how they react to some different springs.


I want to make sure that my observations are accurate and not affected by old knackered springs.

[Coleman Jnr]

Hi Chris,

Can you order me 2 sets of springs also, can pay via Bacs or cash at next open, which ever is easier for you


Thanks
Stephen

[Chris_Sav]

Have ordered a set of springs and a couple of extras to trial them and play safe, will only add a few pence on the cost for the extra postage.


Am going to try a larger coil clock spring that should stretch better and a much softer bar handle spring as I can see absolutely no reason for the high strength on the bar handle return.

[The Bullet]

Hi Chris,
If you order the springs can you add 4 sets for me please.

Thanks Bob

[Chris_Sav]

Whom	Pull Handle	Clock	Trigger Latch
Bob C	4	4	4
Lorin	3	3	3
Tony W	2	2	2
Stuart	1	1	1
Simon	2	2	2
Dover & Deal	10	10	4
	22	22	16

[The Bullet]

Hi Sav,
Let me know how much for the springs, I can either sent you a cheque or pay you at the Gsy Open.

Bob

[Chris_Sav]

Sample music wire springs have arrived and these look the bees knees compared with the first carbon steel ones I got from Ebay. The oiled wire springs have exactly the same appearance as the original ones.


Stripping a clock down to just the clock spring in use and putting some 15mm tubing over the adjustable thrust piston on the end of the clock bar and pressing down on my bathroom scales I had an instant Newton meter!


Old thinner spring: initial extension 5kgs, full extension 13kg

New slightly longer, bigger coil spring: initial extension 6kgs, full extension 11kgs.

Looks a much more even pull, must be good on wear and tear, especially on the maximum load of the first few minutes of travel.

The clock is now ticking  on whether I order more of these!

The softer pull handle spring is a definite plus as well, makes the clock easier to cock overall.

After a few more tests I'll also post the links for posterity. The only bit I am checking is the clearance of the bigger clock spring under the primary driving pinion, it's fairly tight but there is room for a shim under the clock if necessary.

The company charges £6 postage so I am happy to order a batch and bring them to Guernsey for distribution.

Looks good!

[The Bullet]

Hi Sav,
Things are looking positive, see you in a few weeks.

[Chris_Sav]

Strange that the original poster has never replied on this.


Clock with new springs is working well, noticeably lighter to pull the handle.


Will be ordering a batch over the weekend.

[Stuart Grennan]

Excellent Chris. Can you PM me with your payment details.

Stuart

[Chris_Sav]

Springs ordered, got a decent bulk order discount of about 20%.


Will advise final prices upon receipt.

For those at or going to Guernsey will take them with me.

[Chris_Sav]

The company have cocked the order up and I will not now, annoyingly, receive the springs for approx. two weeks as they are now out of stock of one of them.


Apologies but I will obviously not have them with me in Guernsey.

[Chris_Sav]

At last the remaining outstanding springs have arrived, the same springs in two half deliveries by the same courier delivery.


I'll sort things out for those who still want them in the next few days. 

[Chris_Sav]

Looks like it's £8.50 for a set of three music wire springs, plus postage if necessary.


Chris

[Richard Stowe R.I.P.]

Are these still available if so could I order three sets as a table clock broke last week and I have run out.
If available from who 3 sets if possible and how to pay.
Thanks
Dick (Oxford Bar Billiards).