How To Build This Clock Mainspring Winder Under $80

Clock mainspring winders can cost hundreds of dollars. I didn't want to spend hundreds of dollars on a mainspring winder when I just work on clocks for fun as a hobby. So, I decided to make my own. It's not complicated and it can be built for well under $100.
Note:
I made this mainspring winder using tools I already had in my woodshop.
I used a:
- table saw to make the Rabbet Joints.
- router table to round over the edges.
- miter saw to adjust the length of the wood.
- lathe to make wood to wrap the crank handle.
- drill and forstner bits to drill the holes.
Most of what I decided to do did not need to be done. If you don't have all of these tools, that's ok. You could just make the mainspring winder with a saw and a drill. You also don't need to do exactly what I did. Do what makes sense to you given the tools you have, how you want it to look and how much time you want to spend on it.
In this video you'll see:
- How to make a clock mainspring winder
- How to wind and unwind loop-end clock mainsprings using a clock mainspring winder.
I hope you liked this video. Please feel free to like, comment and subscribe. :)
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Some of these links are Amazon affiliate links to some of the equipment or tools used for these videos, and purchasing anything through them helps support the channel.
MAINSPRING WINDER PART LIST:
4" Gate Hook ($4.47)
www.lowes.com/pd/National-Har...
Thumb Screws ($1.43) www.lowes.com/pd/Hillman-1-4-...
Acorn Nuts ($1.28) www.lowes.com/pd/Hillman-4-Co...
3/8" x 1 1/2" Pipe ($2.38) www.lowes.com/pd/Mueller-Prol...
3/8" 90 Degree Elbow (2 @ $2.38 = $4.76) www.lowes.com/pd/Mueller-Prol...
3/8" Pipe Cap ($2.18) www.lowes.com/pd/ReliaBilt-Bl...
3/8" Flange ($2.24) www.lowes.com/pd/SteelTek-3-8...
3/8" x 6" Pipe ($4.88) www.lowes.com/pd/Mueller-Prol...
3/8" x 3' Aluminum Rod ($7.00) www.lowes.com/pd/Steelworks-3...
Cabinet Handle ($3.98)
www.lowes.com/pd/allen-roth-3...
Bosch 1/4" Tap Wrench ($6.99)
amzn.to/3PH0lrG
1" x 48" Dowel ($5.43) www.lowes.com/pd/Madison-Mill...
Cotter Pins ($0.98) www.lowes.com/pd/Hillman-1-16...
E-Z Loc Threaded Insert (25 Pack) ($11.25) amzn.to/3LnwykV
E-Z Loc Drive Tool ($10.00)
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2" x 4" x 8' Stud ($3.98) www.lowes.com/pd/2-in-x-4-in-...
J-B Weld ($6.54)
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Total: $79.77
VIDEO AND AUDIO:
Main Camera, Galaxy S20+ Smart Phone: amzn.to/3Uaulw6
InShot Pro: inshotapp.page.link/invite
ADDITIONAL PRODUCTS:
Honeywell Face Shield: amzn.to/3QYpR9a
Nitrile Gloves: amzn.to/3qFu1b1
Nylon Zip Ties: amzn.to/3qIJkA0
#mainspringwinder #diy #homemade #clock #clockrestoration #satisfying #clockmainspringwinder #howto #mainspring

[@madheji]

There are so many videos on you tube on just about everything but a very and i might add very very few of them are worth watching and learning from because the video is recorded by some one knowledgeable as well as humble person who goes step by step, you are one of those persons and I thank you.

[@WatchOverhaul]

Thank you so much. I really do appreciate your comment! Thanks for taking the time to watch and reach out!

[@walterabbott5347]

Used your video and built mine using 2x4 scraps 1x2 horizontal side strips for base post supports. It clamps nicely in my old Black and Decker Workmate bench. Instead of using 3/8" aluminum rod, I bought a 15" 10mm aluminum tube with 1/4" ID from Amazon along with 10mm steel set screw collar to lock tube in place for the left side rear arbor holder. Arbor fits nicely in the the aluminum tube. The set screw collar simplifies and eliminates the thumbscrew and EZ Lock install. I've used it on my first kitchen clock and it works great. Thanks so much for the video instruction and parts list!

[@WatchOverhaul]

Awesome! That was a good idea! Thanks for sharing.

[@gdprun]

Thank you for showing us your mainspring winder. Now, I don't have to come up with a design. Yours is straight forward, homemade and totally functional. Great job and 2 thumbs up!!

[@WatchOverhaul]

Thanks! Let me know if you have any questions if you make your own. Thanks for watching!

[@robertjordan7323]

Thanks for showing us your winder. When I'm ready to service a spring, I may give this a try.

[@WatchOverhaul]

No problem! Thanks for watching. If you have any questions or improvements, feel free to let me know!

[@davidhunter1871]

Thank you for the video. This will be my next project! I have enjoyed all of your videos. You have made clock repair look more approachable than other creators. I have taken up the hobby as a result.

[@WatchOverhaul]

That's awesome! If you end up making the winder or have questions, let me know. I would be interested to see your version. You could always make a KZbin channel of your journey as well! Thanks for watching!

[@neiltan1939]

Just wanted to let you know I put together a winder based on your design. It works great! The only thing I did different was the loop holder. I used the T-handle portion from the tap wrench, drilled a slightly over-sized hole next to the 3/8" aluminum rod used to hold the pivot. I'm able to slide it in to secure the loop and slide out when removing the spring. A thumb screw locks it in place. Also, I didn't use threaded inserts for the thumb screws, I just drilled a slightly smaller hole and threaded the waxed thumb screws into the wood. Thanks again for the design and your excellent video.

[@WatchOverhaul]

Very nice ideas! I'm glad your winder is working well for you. Thanks for sharing!

[@neiltan1939]

A really nice and simple design. You did a fantastic job with your video. Thank you for sharing. I am new to clock restoration and this will be great to have in the shop. Merry Christmas!

[@WatchOverhaul]

Thanks! I'm glad you liked it. Let me know if you have any questions if you make your own. Merry Christmas to you too!

[@ScootieXP]

Quite an elegant design. I like your approach. Seeing those elbows there just realized that I can use them as well in my design that will use a copper tube instead.😊

[@WatchOverhaul]

Thanks! I thought about copper, but worried it might be too soft to stand against the force of the mainspring. You'll have to let me know how copper works for you! Thanks for watching!

[@bernardpoole9123]

Neat

[@WatchOverhaul]

👍

[@ValentechTime]

I like the simplicity of your design, which in turn brought a reliable and fully functional winder. Do you think using bearing on vertical pieces of wood would be beneficial? Thanks for the great video!

[@WatchOverhaul]

It could be beneficial. It's worked pretty good so far. Thanks for watching!

[@joatmonuk]

Really nice job you did there. You could add some steel T section and screw it good and proper to the underneath then use your vice to hold it nice and tight. Cool, thanks for sharing.

[@WatchOverhaul]

Good idea! I'll look into that. Thanks for watching!

[@miltonrojas5943]

Do you have a set of instructions (PDF format) on how to build this awesome winder, I would buy them.

[@WatchOverhaul]

I don't have the instructions written down. This video is the best I have at the moment. You can email me at [e-mail] if you want to discuss further. Thanks for watching!

[@campusrd]

what rod is it that you have on the left side? I heard you mentioned aluminum rod , what is internal size so that it holds wheel?

[@WatchOverhaul]

That info is in the description of the video.

[@tiger_bread4]

Are you planning on doing more clock and/or clock restorations in the future?

[@WatchOverhaul]

Yes. I just don't have as much free time as I used to, so I just need to find the time.

[@tiger_bread4]

@@WatchOverhaul Thats good to hear because I enjoy watching your videos

[@jeffwood8109]

Lol I just commented on the Gilbert video about free plans and building one of these...

[@WatchOverhaul]

Saw that, haha. I spent a little more than $20, but I wanted to make a quality one. Thanks for watching!

[@jeffwood8109]

@@WatchOverhaulI built one myself, not as nice as yours. I also cobbled together one for barreled springs, it uses different sized exhaust pipe/muffler adapters

[@jeffwood8109]

@@WatchOverhaul I built one but it was not as nice as yours. I made another that uses muffler adapters for the barreled springs. Found that online as well.