Simplex Axle springs

[David Anderson 1Participant @davidanderson1]

Any one know what springs are needed for the original Simplex. And where to purchase them.

GLR13 which used to be quoted does not seem to be available.

[David Anderson 1Participant @davidanderson1]

Where to purchase

[Clive Brown 1Participant @clivebrown1]

I bought mine from Reeves, but that was years ago. They still stock springs, but seem to have reduced the range of sizes, and, irritatingly, sell in pack of 10. For a suggestion, I'd try their 1.25" long x 3/16" bore for starters. They should fit over the hangers and aren't too pricey.

[Dave WoottonParticipant @davewootton]

If you look on the Reeves site under springs there are two prices for apparently identical springs the higher price ones are in 12's the cheaper in 10's, it is not clear until you actually click on the item. which might explain why i bought 20 springs!

Dave

[Clive Brown 1Participant @clivebrown1]

Posted by Dave Wootton on 09/06/2023 18:14:01:

If you look on the Reeves site under springs there are two prices for apparently identical springs the higher price ones are in 12's the cheaper in 10's, it is not clear until you actually click on the item. which might explain why i bought 20 springs!

Dave

Ahhh! well spotted, another mystery solved. But who makes locos with 5 driving wheels?

[NealebParticipant @nealeb]

Posted by Clive Brown 1 on 09/06/2023 18:32:38

Ahhh! well spotted, another mystery solved. But who makes locos with 5 driving wheels?

In the early days of the London Underground, wasn't there an experimental 2-5-2 intended for use on the Circle line?

[David Anderson 1Participant @davidanderson1]

Hi, Thanks guys for reminding me of Reeves.

I still do not know the size needed. 1 1/4" seems too long -I have been quoted 13/16" free length and 20swg.

Has anyone got a copy of the martin Evans book on Simplex to see what he recommends.

Dave

[Dave WoottonParticipant @davewootton]

Hi Dave

Just had a look at the Simplex book and Martin Evans is silent on the subject of springs as far as I can see, certainly nothing in the section dealing with the rolling chassis. The springs are very easy to shorten on the bench grinder, so you could buy the longer ones and shorten them once you have the axleboxes mounted in the frames.

Will need adjusting once the loco is completed and standing on it's own six wheels at it's finished weight, so final trimming and adjustment can be done then.

[Russell EberhardtParticipant @russelleberhardt48058]

I have found notes that say I used 3/8" od x 1" long with 0.064" wire. Can't remember if I had to modify them at all.

Russell

[BazParticipant @baz89810]

No good looking for spring spec in book or on drawings, Evans never specified anything for the springs. Lee springs will have something suitable in their on line catalogue, only downside is that they are not particularly cheap.

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

ME drawings and suppliers very rarely give you all the info you need. Wire diameter, outside (or inside) diameter, length and number of coils are all needed. Russel above misses out number of coils.

I fitted 12 springs on the 4 wheels of my Sweet Pea, the idea being I got one set which I thought would be too stiff, and a second set too soft, then I could permutate to get 4 levels of combined stiffness.

[Howard LewisParticipant @howardlewis46836]

Coil spring design is not easy or straightforward.

You could try Vincent Springs. They are, or were, in Yaxley, near peterborough, as far as I know.

Withe the dimensions (free and compressed length ) and loads, they might be able to come up with somethging that suits

Howard

[D.A.GodleyParticipant @d-a-godley]

I have recently purchased some coil springs from the company , details below , they were very competitive , and on line there are all the dimensions you will require .

I bought them for the Wolverhampton & District Model Engineering Society, and I have no other connection with this vendor .

Coil Springs Direct

Unit 5
Hale Trading Estate
Lower Church Lane
Tipton
DY4 7PQ
United Kingdom

T: +44 (0)121 557 3081
E: sales@springsdirect.co.uk

i hope it’s useful to you .

David .

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

Do they have a minimum order charge? Lee Springs sell direct, but expensive for small numbers

[D.A.GodleyParticipant @d-a-godley]

Duncan, I don’t believe there is a minimum order charge , but don’t hold me to that !

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