Leica M6 - the Spring in the winding spool

[dugrant153]

Hi all,

So in an effort grab out some film from my M6 that had become stuck on the winding spool (the film ripped from the canister end - long story), I poked around on the winding spool to try to pull it out. I accidentally pulled out the spring that I think goes into the winding spool. I put it back in but not sure if I've broken something in the process.

Anyone know what the spring in the winding spool does?? And is it supposed to be attached to something or does it just free float?

 

[Perks]

I haven't encountered this.

I am suprised that no one more knowledgeable hasn't chimed in

 

[mooge]

I'm not really more knowledgeable but I'll chime in cause I'm bored. The spring in the winding spool is there to push the film leader down against the wheel thing in the base plate. Pressing the leader against the wheel ensures that the film is aligned such that the little tabs in the 'tulip' (take up spool) will grab one of the sprocket holes. The spring also makes it such that the film leader doesn't have to be exactly the right height for it to be caught in the tulip.


Presumably the spring doesn't just free float but I dunno what it's attached to. But I think if it doesn't fall out on its own that way it is in your camera right now, it's probably okay.

 

[dugrant153]

Thanks folks. That makes a lot of sense
The spring does kind of free float in the winding spool but the spring is slightly larger than the center of the spool in which it sits so the friction of the spring seems to keep it in there. Just makes me wonder if it's ever wiggled loose on a fellow Leica M user and messed things over entirely.