Return Springs

Sonny Jenkins · From: Texas Masonic Retirement Center,,,Arlington Tx

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 · From: Saigon, Viet Nam & Springfield, Oregon

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 Very Happy

_________________
Inlaid Star Guitar 2006 by Mark Giles. SD-10 4+5 in E9th; http://luthiersupply.com/instrument-gallery.html
2017 Mullen SD-10, G2 5&5 Polished Aluminum covering. Custom Build for me. Great Steel.
Clinesmith Joaquin Murphy style Aluminum 8 String Lap Steel Short A6th.
Magnatone Jeweltone Series Lap Steel, Circa 1950? 6 String with F#minor7th Tuning.
1956 Dewey Kendrick D-8 4&3, Restoration Project.
1973 Sho~Bud Green SD-10 4&5 PSG, Restoration Project.

Tim Toberer · From: Nebraska, USA

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

Andy DePaule · From: Saigon, Viet Nam & Springfield, Oregon

Chris Lucker · From: Los Angeles, California USA

Century Spring. I go in person to fit exactly. Way too many varieties to choose from.
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Chris Lucker
Red Bellies, Bigsbys and a lot of other guitars.

Tim Toberer · From: Nebraska, USA

Erv Niehaus · From: Litchfield, MN, USA

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

Erv

Jerry Overstreet · From: Louisville Ky

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 · From: Texas Masonic Retirement Center,,,Arlington Tx

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 · From: Saigon, Viet Nam & Springfield, Oregon

Sonny Jenkins · From: Texas Masonic Retirement Center,,,Arlington Tx

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 · From: Petaluma, California

Those look great Sonny!

Andy DePaule · From: Saigon, Viet Nam & Springfield, Oregon

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

_________________
Inlaid Star Guitar 2006 by Mark Giles. SD-10 4+5 in E9th; http://luthiersupply.com/instrument-gallery.html
2017 Mullen SD-10, G2 5&5 Polished Aluminum covering. Custom Build for me. Great Steel.
Clinesmith Joaquin Murphy style Aluminum 8 String Lap Steel Short A6th.
Magnatone Jeweltone Series Lap Steel, Circa 1950? 6 String with F#minor7th Tuning.
1956 Dewey Kendrick D-8 4&3, Restoration Project.
1973 Sho~Bud Green SD-10 4&5 PSG, Restoration Project.

Sonny Jenkins · From: Texas Masonic Retirement Center,,,Arlington Tx

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 · From: Cookeville Tn

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

J D Sauser · From: Wellington, Florida

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.
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Was it JFK who said: Ask Not What TAB Can Do For You - Rather Ask Yourself "What Would B.B. King Do?"

A Little Mental Health Warning:

Tablature KILLS SKILLS.
The uses of Tablature is addictive and has been linked to reduced musical fertility.
Those who produce Tablature did never use it.

I say it humorously, but I mean it.

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