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I've taken apart my 3 spring motor for cleaning and I was surprised that 2 of the retaining rings on the spring barrels were soldered at the seam.
Could there be any reason for this?!
I tried using a soldering iron but couldn't get it to let go.
Should I try a hobby torch (I'd have to buy one)?
The only other thing that I can think of is a small dremel cut off blade.
I'd have to remove ¼" of the ring and the lip of the barrel itself.

CMcPherson wrote:I've taken apart my 3 spring motor for cleaning and I was surprised that 2 of the retaining rings on the spring barrels were soldered at the seam.
Could there be any reason for this?!
I tried using a soldering iron but couldn't get it to let go.
Should I try a hobby torch (I'd have to buy one)?
The only other thing that I can think of is a small dremel cut off blade.
I'd have to remove ¼" of the ring and the lip of the barrel itself.

If you're going to do this stuff a hobby torch or a propane torch can be your friend. Just make sure there's nothing that can melt first, and don't use it on pot metal.

The other tool you need is this:
https://www.amazon.com/Compleat-Talking ... ng+machine

Seriously. I have one too.

CMcPherson wrote:I've taken apart my 3 spring motor for cleaning and I was surprised that 2 of the retaining rings on the spring barrels were soldered at the seam.
Could there be any reason for this?!

Whoever did this probably couldn't get the retaining rings back in place, so resorted to filing a bit off the end, thus making it far easier for the ring to locate in it's groove. They then found that the ring kept popping out, so they soldered it in place. Seems a reasonable explanation?

Phono48 wrote:Whoever did this probably couldn't get the retaining rings back in place, so resorted to filing a bit off the end, thus making it far easier for the ring to locate in it's groove. They then found that the ring kept popping out, so they soldered it in place. Seems a reasonable explanation?

I think this is a completely reasonable explanation, judging from my own experience (almost 8 years ago). While I never considered soldering the retaining wires, I can see how someone would. I've done other Victor springs since, and found the springs have to be COMPLETELY flush to the bottom of the barrel. Sometimes even tapping them down with the lid isn't enough. I also tried making sure each retaining wire was re-matched with the same barrel and lid, in the same orientation as it originally was. Even then, it was quite difficult to get the retaining wires to stay in place without popping off.

Victor Spring Barrel Top Retaining Wire--HELP!

Yeah... I figured that it was the case of a frustrated worker in Camden NJ.
I've got the book now I just need a torch.

No luck.
I used my propane torch and couldn't get it to budge. I heated up the area around it also.
Any ideas?
I'd like to avoid sending it off if I can.
Maybe I'll check with a local machine shop.

Good grief did someone weld it? Can you post a pic? I might be able to tell.

I don't think that I could get close enough for you to see.
I'm gonna bring them to a machine shop tomorrow.

I'd be cautious using an open flame on spring barrels loaded with grease and possibly solvent.

What brand motor are you working on ?

De Soto Frank wrote:I'd be cautious...

Yeah... that's exactly what I thought.
I'm going to bring them into a machine shop today.
It's my 3 spring XVI motor.
My VV-VI motor rebuild went so smoothly that hubris snuck in.
Things came to a screeching halt when I got to the 2nd and 3rd spring barrel on the XVI.