Releasing captive mainsprings
If you don’t look forward to releasing a hefty new mainspring from its restraining wire or clamp, you may find that this way is safer and less likely to distort the spring than when using the traditional old towel method. Get yourself a selected few jubilee-type (worm tightened) hose clips of suitably increasing diameters from, say 1.5in to 8in (short ones can be strung together if necessary). Tighten one of these clips on to the restrained spring; remove the spring’s wire or clamp and then loosen the clip to allow gradual expansion of the spring.
As you near the limit of one clip, tighten a larger one alongside; remove the smaller one and continue to loosen the new one. Repeating the process, you soon reach a stage where you can get at the hooking eyes and your mainspring winder can take over—or you can more safely use your old towel, just for the last bit. It will take a few minutes longer but your mainspring and your anatomy are more likely to remain undamaged. Still use gloves, and mind your eyes—just in case the varmint should get loose.
Dr E David Spong, Los Angeles
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