Expert: William J Perkins - 7/13/2009

Question
I'M TRYING TO FIX A SHIPS CLOCK WITH A HERMLE 132-071 MOVEMENT. THE MAINSPRING IS BROKEN I HAVE FOUND A REPLACEMENT BARREL WITH MAINSPRING ( No 30) PROBLEM IS THE SHAFT OF THE REPLACEMENT BARREL IS MUCH LONGER THAN THE ORIGINAL. CAN I REMOVE THE SHAFT FROM THE BROKEN MAINSPRING AND PUT IT IN THE REPLACEMENT BARREL OR SHOULD I CUT OFF THE EXCESS AND FILE THE FLATS FOR THE KEY. THANKING YOU IN ADVANCE.
JIM


Answer
If indeed you have the right spring I suggest you pop it into the old barrel, using the old shaft.  In that way you would not need to modify anything.  I frankly doubt you do have the correct spring.  If I am not mistaken a #31 is used for the strike train and #33 for the time train.  Wish you luck, regards WJP