Mainspring removal from Vic III

[jboger]

Could use some help with the removal of the mainsprings from a Vic III double-barrel motor. Two pictures attached. I think the mainspring closet to the ratchet is slipping/broken. How do I get in there and replace it?

[Inigo]

The picture suggests you've already taken off the first lid. Then you can extract the first spring, and the barrel. Iin other motors the arbor is what helps extracting the second lid. Soft kicks given with a soft mallet on the adequate arbor end press the lid out. But you may need the arbor being freed from the gears first. Thus it can slidewhen kikcked.
I don't know if you can work this out without removing first the ratchet gear and the winding gear. Gears could be damaged, or could damage your hands in the somewhat violent exercise of extracting the springs...

[jboger]

Hello, Inigo:

As you may have already guessed, I'm going through a similar exercise as I did with the VV-IV mainspring. That was only one barrel; now I have two in the Vic III. Yes, I have removed the first lid, as per your previous instructions (thank you very much). I think what you are telling me is to remove the mainspring we can see. That means I will need to unhook it from the arbor.
I'll do that tomorrow or Friday. Let's see where that puts us. I hope the barrel will then slide off so I can get at the other one.

As before, when I removed the mainspring from a VV-IV and transplanted it to a late-model Vic I, I am doing a similar thing with the Vic III. I have already removed the old mainspring. Now I need to transfer it to the Vic III.

I will keep you informed.

John

[jboger]

Progress! I had removed the spare mainspring from its barrel two days ago. That was easy. What I didn't know was how the two-barrel assembly for the Vic III was put together. I do now. It has now been completely taken apart, including the removal of ratchet wheel from the arbor. Both springs are out. What a mess. I hate mainspring work. It's just so . . . so . . so well messy. Tomorrow if I feel so moved I may clean everything and transfer the spare spring into the Vic III barrel assembly.

Inigo: I did not understand your instructions. I have a better understanding now. You only know the shoe fits if you put it on; and you only know how to disassemble a two-barrel Victor mainspring if you do it.

[Inigo]

Yes, that's it! As usual, if you get stuck at some point, just send photos and we may help.
I understand it is a messy work, but once you've understood it and it's done, you'll feel a great self-satisfaction! Besides that, think of packing and shipping the motor somewhere far from you to repair, plus the work and spare parts... Think you've saved quite significant cost, and risk of hurting the motor while shipping it.
I understand these old machines are valuable, and you may not feel at the risk of doing it yourself, maybe spoiling something... But as far as you proceed with strength, patience and delicacy, you'll be successful, you've learned something new, and you can help others.
It's marvelous to do repairing work by yourself.. just be delicate and don't rush!

Take care and patience, and take photos to note down where each part must go. You'll have to reassemble it!
And ask whatever you want. Herein we're a pretty knowledgeable bunch o'people, and one knows one trick, another knows other trick, etc. This forum is full of people who wants to help!
Nice Christmas, or whatever you celebrate!