How NOT to use a Loop End Mainspring Winder
TL;DR - I nearly lose the battle with the mainspring, at 6:35 into the video.
Most mainspring-unwinding videos are made by experienced clock repairers, so you rarely see all the things that could go wrong. Unlike those repairers, I'm a total novice: this is my first clock, and the first time I've tried to use this tool to unwind a spring. I'm lucky I didn't cut my fingers or ruin a mainspring.
I've cleaned all the parts of my non-running, $10, Montgomery Ward, 30-day, Korean clock - except the mainsprings. In this video I attempt to Let Down (completely unwind) the mainsprings using an inexpensive Loop End Mainspring Winder, so that I can clean the springs.
Things didn't go as well as I'd hoped. I found this type of winder requires that your mainspring wheel (gear) is securely fastened to its arbor (center shaft) - which isn't the case in this inexpensive clock.
Through most of the video I'm unaware of the dangers I'm facing: that if I lose my grip on this powerful, 30-day clock mainspring, it could fly open all at once, flinging sharp steel everywhere.
My plan now is to buy a much safer clock mainspring winder, such as the Ollie Baker style Spring Winder: https://timesavers.com/i-8944167-olli...