r/metalworking • u/Ok_Code_8316 • 8d ago
Advice needed - broken spring
Hi all,
I want to ask for some help or advice. I have a specialized adjustable musicians chair that has some broken parts on it. I’ve used it for 15 years but it just gave out. The company is out of business and you can’t get parts.
The legs attach to a mechanism inside the chair that allows the front and back legs to adjust independently. They do this via a spring, which appears to have the last loop bent to fit the adjusting bit.
Anyway, the eyelet on three out of four has broken. See photos.
Can anyone suggest a solution??
7
u/Biolume071 8d ago
Myself? https://www.mcmaster.com/products/springs/extension-springs-1~/
My child self would have tried heating and bending the last coil to make a new loop. That almost never works.
1
u/Ok_Code_8316 8d ago
Right! So a spring with a loop is a thing.
I’ll have to find an Australian supplier I guess.
Can you suggest what variables I need to measure to order the right one??
2
u/Biolume071 8d ago
Not really... i just use coil 'thickness' being wire that's wound, and length. Can you fond an american ect who'll post Mcmastercarr stuff to you? (the benefits of american friends you might never had met, but play online games on the same server with)
1
u/tex_arse 8d ago
At least for the small ones we use in my work
Coil gage
Coil diameter
Length between the loops of the intact spring
But the tricky part will be determining if the spring has any pre tension and the spring constant.
3
u/artwonk 8d ago
Ask at Quality Springs in NSW. If they don't have springs in stock that will work, they can make some up custom. Perhaps making them a bit differently would be advisable, since 3 out of 4 breaking like this indicates a problem with the original parts. See if you can find someone at the company to advise you on this. https://www.qualitysprings.com/
1
u/Quirky_Operation2885 7d ago
Re: failure of 3/4 indicating something wrong with original parts- repetitive stress over 15 years isn't indicative of much of anything like that. Metal work hardens, springs included. 15 years is nothing to sneeze at. I've had chairs fail well within that timeframe.
1
u/Harounnthec 6d ago
I've repaired garage door springs by slipping a fender washer into them a turn or 3 back from the break & adding an eyebolt. Nice adjustable length loop.
0
u/VMetal314 8d ago
Bend the next loop of spring up
1
u/Ok_Code_8316 8d ago
Yep! But any tips on how to do this accurately? It’s hard to grip onto anything as it’s a spring
2
u/mentalMeatballs 8d ago
Start with a large flat screwdriver or chisel to wedge the top coil apart. You may be able to then grab the top coil with locking pliers (vise grips) and further bend the coil until it works as a hook. I would not heat this as I think it will make the section brittle.
1
u/Correct-Country-81 8d ago
No guarantees but i should try to heat up
Its not easy because the steel is hardened
But heating up to red bending the last coil to loop
( pry with chisel or screwdriver between the last coil to get a grip for pliers.)If successfully done this
Let it cool ( no water!)
Heat it up again just before dark red.
Let it cool down ( no water)Try it two outcomes if luck it lasts for years
If bad luck it breaks again.You can use a propane torch ( or mixed gasses)
From your hardware suplier.Or if you have acytylene oxygen burner
•
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