Return Springs

Sonny Jenkins · Post by **Sonny Jenkins** » 7 May 2022 2:27 pm

Does anyone know a source for the kind of return springs that are smaller on one end to accept the coarse threads of a drywall or drive type screw? Make adjusting the tension a lot easier than cutting off coils.

Andy DePaule · Post by **Andy DePaule** » 7 May 2022 4:44 pm

Hi Sonny,
I got lucky and was able to buy a few that I needed from a couple of PSG builders.
They have to be custom made and thats an expensive process if you order them from a company that does that.
Just getting started you have to pay a company to make a special mandril to end up with the exact size and type spring you need. That's big $$$$.

Springs like we would use are made from gauged Music Wire. The same stuff guitar strings are made from.
You can buy it from Amazon. Piano wire comes in the largest gauges.

For people with a metal lathe they can make the mandril and wind the spring.
It can also be done with DIY tools.
You can see the processs on these university of YouTube videos.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAawhg6JtyY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_52ZG7gZFM0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6h39Aun_Q0&t=77s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkiFmzVkEmI

Hope that helps you?
Best of luck,
Andy

Tim Toberer · Post by **Tim Toberer** » 8 May 2022 5:05 am

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezp-Z-idiEY
here's another

Andy DePaule · Post by **Andy DePaule** » 8 May 2022 4:56 pm

Tim Toberer wrote:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezp-Z-idiEY
here's another

Thanks Tim,
Better than the youtube videos I found because it's right on point.
This will help a lot of the people on this builders section of the forum.

I subscribed to La Vern's youtube page here.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKz5Na ... zP1nzrOc1Q

Andy

Chris Lucker · Post by **Chris Lucker** » 8 May 2022 9:18 pm

Century Spring. I go in person to fit exactly. Way too many varieties to choose from.

Tim Toberer · Post by **Tim Toberer** » 9 May 2022 5:11 am

I subscribed to La Vern's youtube page here.

I bought his plan for a 6 string pull release. I am not following it exactly, but it is a proven design. It makes building the instrument more approachable for people without access to a machine shop. (I did use my mill for the changer fingers) Many great ideas for basement builders!

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 9 May 2022 6:53 am

I bought a couple sets of adjustable return springs for a MCI from Michael Yahl.

Erv

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 9 May 2022 1:14 pm

Emmons LG uses those type springs that taper down at the screw end. Maybe check with Billy Knowles or Lynn Stafford.

Also Rittenberry, Rains, GFI, Justice and probably several others. They must be a common type of spring that builders use so there ought to be an outlet somewhere.

Sonny Jenkins · Post by **Sonny Jenkins** » 15 May 2022 3:45 pm

Well,well,,,,that little ole spring maker me,,, LOL. Just finished twisting up 1/4lb of piano wire. The spring on the bottom is off of my Kline,,,,also showing the mandrel I made and used. These would fairly easy to make with a lathe,,,I had to use a cordless drill which was difficult to maintain a slow,constant speed,,,,and guide the wire at constant resistance. Anyway I think they'll work after I shape and heat treat. They accept a #8 screw for adjustment.

Andy DePaule · Post by **Andy DePaule** » 16 May 2022 1:17 am

Sonny Jenkins wrote:Well,well,,,,that little ole spring maker me,,, LOL. Just finished twisting up 1/4lb of piano wire. The spring on the bottom is off of my Kline,,,,also showing the mandrel I made and used. These would fairly easy to make with a lathe,,,I had to use a cordless drill which was difficult to maintain a slow,constant speed,,,,and guide the wire at constant resistance. Anyway I think they'll work after I shape and heat treat. They accept a #8 screw for adjustment.

Hi Sonny,
Could you say more about making the mandrel?
I'm assuming that the mandrel is a little smaller than the finished spring since I think the spring will "Spring Back" a little after being removed from the mandrel?
Also what gauge music wire did you use?
Any other information you can give would be very helpful?
Thanks,
Andy

Sonny Jenkins · Post by **Sonny Jenkins** » 16 May 2022 9:50 am

Hey Andy,,,yes mine started as a piece of 3/16" rod pressed into a 3/8" rod drilled 11/64". After I tried it , like you said, it sprung back a little so I ground the 3/16" down a little. I would measure it exactly for you but I've misplaced it somewhere. Anyway, if I make another one I will use 1/2" material as a base to put the 3/16" into,,,a little more room for making a hole to secure the wire into.
The wire is 304 stainless, .041 from McMaster-Carr stock number 9495K84. I've since read on the internet that 304 does NOT need heat treated. It took about 30" to make a spring. I think the 1/4 lb was about 50', and I got 19 usable springs out of it.

Ross Shafer · Post by **Ross Shafer** » 16 May 2022 10:02 am

Those look great Sonny!

Andy DePaule · Post by **Andy DePaule** » 16 May 2022 10:25 am

Thanks Sonny,
I'd rather follow your method than try to reinvent the wheel, or the spring.
Best wishes,
Andy

Sonny Jenkins · Post by **Sonny Jenkins** » 16 May 2022 12:33 pm

Thanks Andy,,,and Ross,,(hey Ross,,any update,,,when orIF on that guitar???)

I talked to Paul and he said the oven thing is more of a stress reliever than a heat treatment ,,suggested 400 degrees for an hour.

Derek Puckett · Post by **Derek Puckett** » 17 May 2022 7:13 pm

I have some springs if you haven’t found any. Please contact me

J D Sauser · Post by **J D Sauser** » 18 May 2022 8:17 pm

I remember making springs to measure as a precision mechanics apprentice in Switzerland... wayyy back... and having blisters in my hands for holding that nasty, unfriendly spring wire.

I feel that most PSG builder's return springs are way to short for a smooth pull.

... J-D.

The Steel Guitar Forum

Return Springs

Return Springs

I got lucky

Thanks Tim

Making the Mandrel?

Thanks Sonny