It Had To Happen Someday

[dannylj]

After probably removing dozens, I broke my first mainspring last night. I won't say what kind of tool I was using but it cost me $35.00 for a new L&R Manton spring and a spring removal tool. Looking at the archives it appears the proper way to remove one is put on halfcock, tighten clamp, release tension and remove. Is there a proper way to replace one? Do you just lower cock and tighten spring in clamp to replace? Also, on reassembling the lock I notice that the cock does not fit back as close to plate as it should. Should I press it back on in the vise? I thought I knew all this stuff but I guess I am overcomplicating it..  Danny

[Dave B]

Dan,
I have always cocked it to full cock applied the spring vice, de-cocked the mechanism and removed the spring then if not reassbling right away backing off the spring clamp and removing it. I have never broken a spring to date doing it this way.  I have heard of using vice grips to remove the spring but this is risky due to possible over compression. If you do it as I have described you are only compressing it as far as needed to  allow for dissasembly and less likely to break it.

[Dave Dolliver]

I agree with Dave B. as to use of spring vise.

If the cock needs to be moved closer to the plate, squeeze it in your bench vise.  if you try to tighten it with the cock screw you will probably strip the threads on the screw.  The tumbler is HARD and the cock screw is relatively soft.

Dave Dolliver

[Benedict]

My feeling about the cock not fitting close to the plate is that if the cock screw won't pull it in, it is not fit correctly.  Many manufacturers use a press to force the cock onto the tumbler rather than carefully fill it to fit.  I would suggest that you CAREFULLY file the cock to get to fit. 

Bruce

[dannylj]

Thanks for the replies - and yes it was vice grips. I have taken mainsprings off many times that way, even after being warned. Lesson learned. When I get the new spring and vise in I will fit the hammer a little better. I need to get this rifle finished soon for my son. Thanks  Danny

[Dr. Tim-Boone]

Quote from Jim Chambers re his locks: "You could probably leave a Siler mainspring compressed in a vice for years, and nothing would happen.  However, we have had several of the mainsprings from our big English locks break when left compressed in the vice.  When I'm working on one of the English locks I apply the vice with the lock at rest, tighten the vice just enough to remove the spring, and then relieve most of the pressure.  A mainspring vice seems to put pressures on these mainsprings that they do not experience when in the lock, and that can sometimes cause them to fail."

May not apply re L & R ?

[Ryan McNabb]

I accidentally left a mainspring from an Early Ketland in a mainspring vise, at the full cock tension level, for over a year.  It did not break, and it had great strength when I (to my horror) discovered it.  The lock works great to this day. 

I love Chambers' big locks, but I really miss being able to take a Siler spring out with a pair of pliers.  I watch Hershel's videos from time to time and every time he grabs the spring with a pair of side cutters and lifts it out of the lock I get the willies.