Sear Spring Vise?

[frogwalking]

Normally, I loosten the sear spring screw, pop the little bolster out of the slot in the plate, and remove the sear screw.  On the "Virginia Flintlock" I got the other day, the bridle partially covers the sear spring screw, so this does not work.  Where can I get a sear spring vise?  Dixie sells a frizzen spring vice, but I normally use vice grips for this purpose so have never bought one.  I know, I am not supposed to do this, but have been doing it this way for 40 years.  I can't get at the sear spring this way, however.  Dixie's vice is $45 which I consider too much for something this simple.  I guess I can make one if necessary.

[T*O*F]

Use a spring cramp instead of a spring vise.

Move the frizzen until it collapses the spring.
Tighten the jaws of a small crescent wrench on the spring.
Release the tension and remove the spring.
Measure the width of the gap in the crescent wrench and file a square notch in a small piece of mild steel.
Use it the next time you need to remove the spring.
Turn it over and do the same thing for the main spring with the hammer at half-cock.
Keep the piece in your bag or box to service that lock whenever needed.
Embellish,shape, or color as desired

[Jim Chambers]

No need for a sear spring vice.  Simply remove the bridle screw, back the sear screw almost all the way out, and them lift the bridle up and off the small tumbler axle.  This will expose the sear spring screw and allow the sear spring to be removed or installed just like any other sear with only thumb pressure.  To reassemble just reverse the above procedure.  Many original English and some German locks had the sear screw covered by the bridle.

[frogwalking]

Thanks Jim.  I didn't think of doing it that way.  It is one of your fine locks, and I didn't want to booger it up.  I am glad not to have to buy another fancy tool that I do not need. 

[Randy Hedden]

Hey Dave,

Sear spring, not frizzen spring.
 
Randy Hedden

[T*O*F]

Hey Dave,
Sear spring, not frizzen spring.
 Randy Hedden

Senior moment.  I guess I saw "no spring vise" and "vise grips" and my mind saw a mainspring snapping.  Maybe the info will help him anyhow.

[Roger Fisher]

Use a spring cramp instead of a spring vise.

Move the frizzen until it collapses the spring.
Tighten the jaws of a small crescent wrench on the spring.
Release the tension and remove the spring.
Measure the width of the gap in the crescent wrench and file a square notch in a small piece of mild steel.
Use it the next time you need to remove the spring.
Turn it over and do the same thing for the main spring with the hammer at half-cock.
Keep the piece in your bag or box to service that lock whenever needed.
Embellish,shape, or color as desired

Ans'd twice seems like..... Seems as tho ol Froggy is refering to the sear spring rather than the feather springeee..    Sounds like a Chambers lock.  go at the bridle screw upper first then you can get at that sear spring..  A small screw driver can do it w/o going at the bridle screw....

[frogwalking]

Yes, indeed it is one of Jim  Chamber's locks, which is why I don't want to booger it up.  I really do have a mainspring vise.  'quit using the ole vise grips on main springs years ago, although I never did break one.  I am eternally amazed at  how many different ways folks can think of to assemble the same springs, tumbler, sear and bridle.  It seems like once they found a good way,  that would be it.  Never a dull moment.