Use of Other Springs ie mower, watch main,etc?

[RichardHead]

I recently purchased a Charmaphone, in poor condition; previous repairs left parts missing and only one broken spring. It would be a stretch to pay $120 for a new set of custom springs, and this would only be one of several expenses. Has anyone ever used a mower recoil spring to run a machine?
Also if I can repair the spring, will it work with only one spring?

[RichardHead]

Here are some pics:

Charmaphone Model 3 55.pdf

Charmaphone 355

(1.13 MiB) Downloaded 102 times

[Retrograde]

I recently purchased a Charmaphone, in poor condition; previous repairs left parts missing and only one broken spring. It would be a stretch to pay $120 for a new set of custom springs, and this would only be one of several expenses. Has anyone ever used a mower recoil spring to run a machine?
Also if I can repair the spring, will it work with only one spring?

It won't work with one spring, and a mower recoil spring will not work.

Have you contacted Ron Sitko? (use search function on this forum to find his phone number) He has a selection of new replacement springs running about $30 each (IIRC). The spring in your attached pdf file looks a little short as if it's been broken and repaired before.

I've seen boxes of NOS springs at the phonograph shows if that's an option for you, but it would be only by slight chance that you'd find the exact one you need.

Make sure you have ALL the bits and pieces of the motor before committing to buying springs. You might be able to find a complete working motor instead.

[phonojim]

You could possibly find a pair of clock springs that would work. You would probably need springs for an American 8 day clock. Those are easily found in many sizes.

Jim

[RichardHead]

Retrograde,
Thank you for your quick reply, knowledge and experience. I have found a nice gentleman in Lakeport, CA who has advice and springs at the same price level. He states that the springs are 0.75" wide 0.025" thick and should be 10' long for a Charmaphone motor of this type. Those numbers relate quite well with my measurements for the existing spring, however what's left of the spring is about 6', so there is some missing as you pointed out. I may cut it in half, temper the ends and install it in the motor to see if I have all of the parts working before I commit.
Thank you

[RichardHead]

You could possibly find a pair of clock springs that would work. You would probably need springs for an American 8 day clock. Those are easily found in many sizes.

Jim

Jim
Great source for spring material. Looks like 96' goes for about $10.00. A coil like that could take off your finger or take out an eye if you're not careful unpacking it. I'm not sure if that's going to be any money saved in the long run. I'd have to build a strong spool box first to be safe.
Thanks

[phonojim]

I was actually referring to replacement springs - already cut to length, punched and formed. I never thought about finding it in such lengths. I haven't had one stretched out in several years but I think 8 day springs are of similar length to phono springs. I'm sorry I can't advise you about where to look for them as I haven't bought any clock parts in over 10 years and don't know who the suppliers are anymore.

Jim

[FloridaClay]

Without the embarrassment of actually knowing whether it is true or not, I tend to think of clock springs as not being as powerful as phonograph springs. Will clock springs do the job?

Clay

[phonojim]

Given the specifications he gave, I think it is quite possible.
It's all about comparable dimensions and hardness of a given spring. There is a certain overlap between the springs in the smaller phono motors and in clocks. Plus, if you've ever seen a spring break in an American 8 day clock, you will know how powerful they can be.
I'm certain that for small machines such as Gems And Columbia Qs, clock springs could be found that work as direct replacements.

Jim

[Dave D]

Given the specifications he gave, I think it is quite possible.
It's all about comparable dimensions and hardness of a given spring. There is a certain overlap between the springs in the smaller phono motors and in clocks. Plus, if you've ever seen a spring break in an American 8 day clock, you will know how powerful they can be.
I'm certain that for small machines such as Gems And Columbia Qs, clock springs could be found that work as direct replacements.

Jim

The typical mainspring used in an American 8 day kitchen or mantle clock is .018 in strength. Not sure of the strength of Gem or Q springs, but I would prefer to buy one from a supplier that has it sized correctly already. If it needs to be shortened, making a new hole that won't crack opens up a few problems.
Dave D