Pigmyphone Springs

[Roaring20s]

I had two partial Bing Pigmyphones to make one good machine. I needed to make new governor springs for it and replace its version of a ratchet pawl. I only have basic tools, time and tenacity. This was a two day project for me.

The ratchet pawl replacement was easy.

The closest stock I found was from Griffen Clock supply.

SUSPENSION SPRING FUZEE $3.75
Brass top. May be used on Grandfather and Fuzee movements.
Overall Length: 5".
Spring Thickness: .0075".
Spring Width:  .238".

I bought two, one is enough for the two springs.

The Pigmyphone springs are very thin and wider than other springs too. The replacement’s width is perfect, the thickness only close. The original is .004 and I stopped hand sanding the replacement at .006 (so much for my tenacity).

The original weights are about 5.5 grams. I had small size weights with screws on hand and filed them down to about 6 grams.

I used the old spring as a template and hand filed it to match (very close).

I loosely assembled it and tested it. It ran smooth and could be adjusted to speed.


After installation and a many little tweaks, it running as well as any with minor speed inconsistency and flutter. Just one unforeseen issue that I will live with. The slop that I accrued in the spring’s creation and installation, puts the brake just out of reach. Luckily, it’s easy to wind and hold it, then release it. I’ll call it a marginal success for a toy.

James.

[Inigo]

Wow! How good!