Where can I get springs like this ?

[LeeElms]

I would like to obtain some springs like this:

It needs to be this size, and needs very similar hooks at each end. Any ideas ?

 

[dj.]

http://www.entexstocksprings.co.uk/inde ... ommon/home

 

[LeeElms]

Thanks, but the standard springs they supply don't appear to have the hook shown on the left of the spring.

 

[AES]

@LeeElms:

Not being sarcastic, but just get a standard spring which is a bit over-long and make your own hook at each end (if the spring tension is really critical then buy 2 over-long standard springs because you may not get the lengths with the hooks you make exactly right first time).

How to make the hooks? Easy - place the whole spring on the bench, insert a thin steel "blade" (e.g. a rule or other tough flat strip) about 2 coils in from the end. Then bend downwards 90 degrees while holding the remainder of the spring tightly flat on to on the bench. I say 2 coils because it looks like the hooks on the end are somewhat elongated, not just simple circlular hooks (which would be even easier). Also you may find that the very last part of the first coil is somewhat thin because the end of the spring has been ground to make it square to the axis of the spring.

You'll now have a hook which is on one side of the spring outside diameter. To move the hook central just requires the use of a couple of pairs of pliers with suitable jaws to distort the first full coil of the spring until the hook you've made is now central to the axis of the spring. Then lengthen out what's left of the original 2 coils you've made into one elongated hook, as per your sample.

Then measure the length of the hook from the outside point to the start of the first full coil and that will tell you where to insert the "blade" at the other end of the spring to make the elongated hook at the other end.

This all sounds terribly complicated I know, and writing this has taken as long as making hooks on the ends of at least 5 springs, not just one! But I hope it's clear - it really is very easy to do and is a "standard trick".

Krgds
AES

 

[LeeElms]

Thank you for the detailed instructions. They are very much appreciated. Now to work out the exact size to place an order ...

 

[AES]

@LeeElms:

Don't know if it helps, but over here (Switzerland), some of the DIY places and other hardware shops stock little boxes of "standard" springs of all sizes. Using the method I explained yesterday you only need to get a spring of roughly the right length (get it over-long of course, because it's easy to shorten the spring & hard to lengthen it - grin). What's a bit more critical is the gauge (thickness) of the wire your original spring's made from - you need much the same gauge to get much the same tension as the original.

But what's the spring for? I assume a machine of some kind? Usually most springs aren't all that critical in terms of tension and need to be way too soft (or hard) before they stop performing their function. But from the look of the spring in your pic it doesn't look particularly critical, just a "pretty normal" extension spring.

Good luck.

AES

 

[LeeElms]

The spring is actually used inside the leg of a small childrens trampoline to connect it to the the main frame; the legs can be detached a folded flat while the string is still attached. Not sure how good a design it is, because with just a bit of rough handling the springs distort, and the hook will not retain it's shape for any length of time if bent back to the original shape.

 

[AES]

OK LeeElms. I suggest that this softness of the hook means that the spring is made from poor quality wire. In which case, most likely, if you can find some springs in your local DIY Emporium/wherever, your self-made srping will probably be better. To be any good a spring needs to be made from hardened & tempered steel wire which you can easily check (if you can find a box of springs which I'm pretty sure you can) simply by trying to bend a hook on one end of a spring (with similar wire diameter to the original). If you can't bend it with your fingers then try using a small pair of pliers. If you find it difficult to bend with the plieers it should be OK for the job you describe.

In fact when you find the little box of springs (or some DIY places sell them in singles over here) I'd suggest you make 4 (assuming 1 per leg). Yours will be better than the originals if you follow the above and the previous post's steps. It would seem that the spring tension for this job aren't too critical so as long as you get roughly the right length and roughly the right wire gauge you'll be laughing.

Cheers
AES

 

[LeeElms]

The site linked to above (in the first reply to my post) has springs made of 'stainless steel', 'carbon steel' or 'alloy steel'. Does it matter which one I choose ?

 

[AES]

If uit were me LeeElms, I'd choose the stainless, because I assume the trampoline will spend a good part of it's time outside, including overnights.

AES

 

[Hitch]

I can give you the contact details for a specialist spring manufacturer, i do the odd maintenance job for them....but cost may be prohibitive, but they may well have a suitable spring in stock....

 

[LeeElms]

Hitch,

Thanks, that would be appreciated, I might as well try them.

 

[powertools]

I don't know if this will help you havent said the diameter of the legs but if you do a Google search for tent pole springs these are readily available and may well suit your purpose.

 

[LeeElms]

Thanks, I'll look into these.

Really need to find them in a shop so that I can check the exact length etc. The leg is about 20mm diameter, so I don't think they will be too large, but not sure about the length.