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Ok on Victrolas they say the spring nearest the winding gear is counter clockwise and the adjoining one is clockwise...Now..is clockwise going from the inner arbor or going from the outside arbor...??? Because that's two different directions. thanks..
I have some greasy springs ready to install that previous owner had already removed.

There are no dumb questions, only dumb answers.

Thanks

A12548,

The general rule of thumb you stated about Victrola springs is probably generally true, but ONLY when you have just 2 winding gears. The one that the crank threads into, and the one on the spring barrel arbor. That being said, some early Victors have 3 winding gears and some later ones have no winding gears. So, the rule is true... except when it isn't.

Anyway, if it's the typical 2 gear arrangement, the spring nearest the winding gears would run clockwise when going outwards from the center.

You can also look for other clues. The flanged head rivets that the inner and outer ends of the spring attach to sometimes have a pronounced "hook" to them that will suggest how they are intended to engage with the spring, (i.e. CW vs. CCW).

If someone has not been a clean freak already, you can also spot an impression of the spring's outer end in the dried up grease left behind in the spring barrel.

If you are good at analyzing mechanical systems, you can start at the spindle/turntable, which always rotates clockwise, and work your way back through the gear train from there. The best thing to do is to take pictures and make notes as you take it apart.

Jim