Proctologically Violated=A9=AE wrote:
Awl--

At times I need springs for prototypes, usually compression. I have
Lee
Springs out by me in Brooklyn, NY, and I use Century Spring, who has
an
extensive catalog of springs.

But the prices!!!! Goodgawd, you can get weak at the knee--a little
bitty
spring, like what you'd find in a camera shutter or a bic click pen,
can be
$4-5!! For ONE!!
Man, now I save every spring from every pen I come across....

For non-critical/exact specs/geometries, a good hardware store has a
stack
of parts drawers w/ a good selection, if you don't need die springs
or
anything too fine, at a relative bargain price. And I've had springs
made,
in relatively short runs, for very good prices.
But one'sies/two'sies are killers.

Any idears? Sources??
----------------------------
Mr. P.V.'d
formerly Droll Troll

For itty-bitty ones, I have an assortment from Brownells. They also
have an assortment of detent balls that's been handy.
www.brownells.com They also have longer lengths of coiled spring,
whack what you need off the stock and form loops or grind ends. Dremel
cutting disks shine for that. Multiple sizes of music wire, too, if
you're into winding your own.

Used to be Eagle Hardware had a whole wall of springs, since Lowe's
took them over, you're lucky to find anything. I use one of the few
real hardware stores that's left in the area for a start on spring
shopping, either Ace or True Value, they're usually Century branded. I
was able to find the exact springs that I needed for my Lion miter
trimmer fences there, also the return spring for my MEC Super Sizer.

Stan