Windup Marx...How much winding is too much?

[Anonymous]

And I thought I was wound up tight!

Just wind it until you feel more resistance - you'll make the spring last longer that way.

[dennyblock]

I wind mine till I feel it get hard then stop. I broke a clock spring once and the repair shop told me the springs get weak with age [just like me] and winding to the stop is hard on them.

[jimhaleyscomet]

I just recently purchased a windup Marx Steam engine.  I wind it about 10 times and it gets harder.  If I wind it about 12-14 times I hit a "stop".    Can I wind it till it stops or with that dramatically reduce spring life?  How much do you all your Marx engines.

Jim H