Making springs 2

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Making springs 2

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  • #15478
    JasonB
    Moderator
      @jasonb

      Source for fine spring wire

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      #54319
      JasonB
      Moderator
        @jasonb
        While we are on the subject of springs has anyone got a source for fine spring wire.
         
        I have a couple of Hit & Miss engines to make that require quite small fine springs, sizes of the wires are 0.010″, 0.015″ and 0.020″  these would be approx 33,28 & 25swg respectively.
         
        All the sources for piano wire that I have seen don’t go down this fine, also I would only need short lengths so don’t want a 1kg coil of the stuff.
         
        I should add that these are compression, tension and torque springs with specific ends so can’t just use off the shelf comp/tension springs
         
        Thanks, Jason
        #54321
        Richard Parsons
        Participant
          @richardparsons61721
          Have a look at the ‘chuck-away’ lighters they come to bits easily!
          Dick 
          #54336
          Versaboss
          Participant
            @versaboss

            I am quite sure that 0.02″ (= 0.5 mm) should be available in aeromodeller supply shops. For thinner wire I would perhaps search among guitar strings…maybe there are musicians around who know a bit more about their sizes?

            Greetings, Hansrudolf

            #54340
            Sam Stones
            Participant
              @samstones42903
              Hi Jason,

              In another thread called `Balance Springs’ under `CLOCK’ topics posted on 29 June 2010, I asked for comments about wire for springs. The spring for my clock is helical in form and consists of about nine turns with a mean diameter of about 9mm.

              Using moment of inertia as my basis, calculations showed that a direct replacement for a rectangular cross-section (0.020″ x 0.005″) would require a wire diameter of 0.207mm (0.00807″).

              Where would I find this size of wire? It occurred to me that some guitar strings are made of steel. However, their magnetic properties might be disadvantageous in terms of the performance of a tiny balance spring.

              My luck changed when I rang a friend who has a music shop. When I asked what diameters of steel guitar strings were available at around the above size I was told that the smallest was 0.008″ (0.20mm). What a coincidence! Their length was about 0.8 metres. Although I wasn’t too interested in anything larger, I think the next size up was around 0.010″.

              I bought a couple at around $2.50. They are coiled up in an envelope which describes them as
              PLAIN STEEL
              S I T
              STAY IN TUNE STRINGS
              .008
              0.20mm
              BALL END

              BALL END means that one end has been wrapped and anchored around a small brass bush. At the bottom of the envelope is printed AKRON OHIO – MADE IN USA.

              The wire is bright and highly polished, and when removed from the envelope becomes fairly straight, ie. no kinks.

              Although I haven’t made any springs yet I’ve found the wire to be very springy, and is instantly attracted by a magnet. Over a gas flame the wire burns (ignites like wire wool) very quickly giving off sparks which I assume are an indication of carbon content.

              Upon release after a short length has been wrapped around a 4mm diameter mandrel, the wire coil increased to about 10mm diameter. I suspect that feeding the wire over a mandrel will be the most tricky part of making a helical balance spring.
               
              Hope this helps.
               
              Sam

              Edited By Sam Stones on 16/08/2010 00:48:58

              #54348
              DMB
              Participant
                @dmb
                May I suggest you enquire if Squires of Bognor, West Sussex have any thing suitable. No connection, just satisfied customer. They do quite a thick heavy Catalog. Strange sort of shop – 1/2 is needlework etc, 1/2 is all sorts, wire, screws pliers and various hand tools rather like Proops or other miscellaneous bits stalls one sees @ exhibitions.
                Good luck,
                John.
                #54349
                Ramon Wilson
                Participant
                  @ramonwilson3
                  Jason,
                   
                  Have a look at this site – Sams Models.
                   
                   
                  They do a range of hard piano wire from .010 up in 18″ lengths.
                   
                  I have used this wire for very small prop shafts for indoor flying models – it should certainly be okay for making small springs
                   
                  Regards – Ramon
                   
                   
                  #54351
                  JasonB
                  Moderator
                    @jasonb
                    Thanks for all the replies.
                     
                    Ramon, your link looks the most promising, failing that its guitar strings as the spring winding is quite specific I’d rather wind my own than modify stock springs.
                     
                    Jason
                    #54352
                    Speedy Builder5
                    Participant
                      @speedybuilder5
                      Look up on the internet  Model shop Dover.  I was impressed with their range of piano wire,  and willing to mail order to UK and other destinations.
                      #54440
                      JasonB
                      Moderator
                        @jasonb
                        Just an update to say that the postie dropped off a postal tube today filled with a selection of fine spring wires purchased from Ramon’s link above ranging from 0.010″ to 0.030″ so looks like I’d better start winding.
                         
                        Jason
                         
                        PS Just got a little booklet from HPC Gears International as they are now known showing a lot of new items including some very small compression & tension springs so thats another source for anyone wanting ready made springs, they also now do a large range of oilite bearings which may be useful.
                         
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