Spring cleaning
A gummed-up spring can cause stoppage. Springs that have been neglected for many years can result in excessive friction between the coils and can completely lock up rather than unwinding.
The normal practice is to remove the spring from the barrel, then degrease, lubricate and assemble it back into the barrel. This is a time-consuming process and can be potentially dangerous.
I have found removing the spring is not necessary. The method I use is to remove the barrel cap and arbor, mount the spring on the spring winder, then, holding the spring barrel in the left hand, wind the spring up until gaps appear between all coils. At this point spray WD40
between the coils and fully wind then completely unwind. Repeat this procedure a few times. The result are that the operation of winding and unwinding produces a cleaning action, softening and squeezing out all of the gummed-up lubricant. The final operation is to lubricate the spring. This is done when the spring is partially wound exposing gaps between the coils.
Using this method I have complete success without the risk of any
distortion to the spring or personal injury.
Peter Simpkins, UK
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