Where to get/make a very small square key!

[dave]

I have a small mechanical clock mechanism to play with :-)

It has a winder on it that is a small square-section male bar. Any ideas where I can get a key to try winding it? It's about 1mm sides.

I thought to a key pushing some miliput onto the shaft to make the female bit. But pretty sure it will wearout rapidy. The shaft is quite easy to turn although just a bit too stiff to turn by using fingers alone.

[The Natural Philosopher]

try hammering steel or copper tube to a square..

or

[Dave Plowman (News)]

I'd imagine it is easy to get hold of all shapes and sizes of clock keys.

[DerbyBoy]

[dave]

thanks all - amazed at the options.

[Nick]

Good luck. If you go the DIY route it is worth remembering that movement winding stems are normally tapered.

Nick.

[SS]

If you just want it wound

[Andy Dingley]

Quicktest (or eBay) - clock suppliers sell multi-size spider keys quite cheaply, and they're worth having around if your interests lie in this direction. Then once you know the size, they'll sell you a decent one to fit long-term. Spiders come in two overlapping size ranges - all the odds, or all the evens. For quick trials on a non- valuable clock mechanism, just one spider is often enough to bodge with.