How to Easily Rewind a Clock Spring: A Step-by-Step Guide

Wind the clock in the reverse direction until it feels snug.

How to Rewind a Clock Spring

Ticking away the moments of your life, rewinding a clock spring can seem like an intimidating task. But with just a few simple steps, you can have your clock striking again in no time. This comprehensive guide will take you step-by-step through the process of rewinding a clock spring, from setting up the tools you’ll need, to properly reassembling and testing the movement. With our help, you’ll be able to find the answer to “how to rewind a clock spring” without breaking into a sweat!

Preparation

To ensure safety, it is important to gather all the materials that are required for rewinding a clock spring. This includes protective gear such as safety glasses and gloves, as well as tools such as screwdrivers and pliers. Moreover, it is important to make sure that the clock is not plugged into any power source before beginning the process.

Review How Clockworks

Before starting to rewind a clock spring, it is important to understand how a clock works. Mechanical clocks have weights and springs that need to be tensioned in order to work properly. On the other hand, electromechanical clocks are powered by motors that move the hands on the clock face. Understanding how these clocks work will help you know what needs to be done when rewinding a clock spring.

Disconnect Power Source

The first step in rewinding a clock spring is to disconnect the power source. For mechanical clocks, this means removing any batteries or weights from the mechanism. For electromechanical clocks, this means unplugging them from any power source such as an outlet or battery pack. This will ensure that no electricity can reach the clock while you are working on it.

Handle Ticking Clock

When handling a ticking clock, it is important to take it away from any walls or furniture and place it on a stable surface such as a countertop or table so that it won’t move around while you are working on it. If possible, try not to touch any of the springs or gears inside of the clock so that they do not get damaged during the process of rewinding them.

Open Cover and Expose Clockworks

Once all of these steps have been taken care of, you can then begin opening up the cover of your clock in order to expose its inner workings. Most mechanical clocks have removable covers that can easily be unscrewed with a screwdriver if necessary. Once this has been done, you should be able to see all of the gears and springs inside that need to be tensioned in order for your clock to work properly again.

Find the Clock Spring

The first step in rewinding a clock spring is to locate the spring. To do this, it’s important to recognize the shape of the clock spring, as this will help you identify it. Once you have identified the spring, you can begin to unwind it in small steps. This can be done by gently pulling on each side of the spring and allowing it to uncoil slowly. As you do this, make sure that each turn of the spring is even and that there are no kinks or tight spots in the wire.

Position the Coils of Spring Appropriately

After the clock spring has been located and unwound, its time to position the coils appropriately. If available, refer to any instructions provided with your clock for further guidance on how exactly your particular model should be set up. As a general rule, count how many coils should be present when fully wound before attempting to reposition them. It’s important that all coils are evenly spaced and that none are overlapping or bunched up at any one area.

Check Placement of Pointer/Hour Hand

Once all of the coils have been positioned correctly, check that they are lined up correctly with any hour or pointer hands on your clock face. Make sure these hands are placed correctly according to what time you would like your clock face to read when its finished winding up again. Ensure that these hands are securely held in place and that they wont move while winding up your clock spring again.

Check Number of Coils in Clock Springs Once Fixed

The last step is to check that there is still a consistent number of coils over each pulley once everything has been wound back up again. If there is an extra coil emerging from one side then this can lead to issues later down the line so make sure all coils have been wound securely before proceeding any further with setting your clock back up again.

FAQ & Answers

Q: How to ensure safety when rewinding a clock spring?
A: When rewinding a clock spring, it is important to take safety precautions. Be sure to carefully disconnect the power source from the clock, such as disconnecting the batteries or unplugging it from the mains. It is also important to place the ticking clock on a stable surface away from walls where it can’t fall or be disturbed.

Q: What are mechanical clocks with weights and springs?
A: Mechanical clocks with weights and springs are clocks that rely on gravity and tension forces in order to operate. They use a weight attached to pulleys by a string or cable that winds up, resulting in stored energy that moves the hands of the clock.

Q: How do I locate the clock spring?
A: Once you have opened up the cover of the clock and exposed its workings, you can locate the clock spring by recognizing its shape. It should be easily visible and if you are unsure, you can refer to an instruction manual for further guidance.

Q: How do I ensure that extra coil doesnt emerge while winding?
A: After winding up your clock spring, make sure you count and check how many coils should be presented when fully wound. This way, you can confirm that there are no extra coils emerging while winding before securing its position.

Q: What should I do after winding up my clock spring?
A: After winding up your clock spring, make sure you position your pointer/hour hand accordingly before setting time and ensuring its secure position. Additionally, be sure to check how many coils should be presented when fully wound before securing its position.

A clock spring is a unique and essential part of a clock that allows the hands to be moved and set to the correct time. Rewinding a clock spring can be a tricky process, but with patience and the right tools, it can be done safely and properly. Knowing the right steps to take and having the necessary tools on hand are essential when attempting to rewind a clock spring; otherwise, it could result in damage to the clock or injury to you.