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Discussions => Instrument Design, Construction and Repair => Topic started by: mselic on July 12, 2018, 06:16:40 PM

Title: Lightening coil springs
Post by: mselic on July 12, 2018, 06:16:40 PM
Does anyone know a way to lighten (reduce the tension) of coil springs for buttons on a keyboard? I’ve lightened the springs on a Hohner keyboard, but those are a different from coil springs. Alternatively, can anyone recommend vendors of different sizes and tensions of coil springs that would be suitable for a keyboard in a one-row? Thanks.

Title: Re: Lightening coil springs
Post by: Steve_freereeder on July 12, 2018, 07:23:15 PM
Does anyone know a way to lighten (reduce the tension) of coil springs for buttons on a keyboard? I’ve lightened the springs on a Hohner keyboard, but those are a different from coil springs. Alternatively, can anyone recommend vendors of different sizes and tensions of coil springs that would be suitable for a keyboard in a one-row? Thanks.
Try Carini (Italian accordion parts supplier) but good luck in navigating their website; it's not the easiest!
'Spiral' springs here (http://www.carinidena.it/MS5ECOMMERCE60/jsp/eco_cc_home_bs_portlet.jsp?p=dettarti&codarti=3004).

Edit:
I see Charlie Marshall has coil springs here (http://www.cgmmusical.co.uk/CGM_Musical_Services/Springs.html). Charlie's a lot easier to deal with!
Title: Re: Lightening coil springs
Post by: Aunty Social on July 12, 2018, 08:21:16 PM
Lee Springs have a calculator that's useful . https://www.leespring.com/
If you click on the link for "Compression springs" it will take you there.
Title: Re: Lightening coil springs
Post by: tirpous on July 12, 2018, 08:30:34 PM
Never tried it, but I've been told you can insert a screwdriver blade (like a wedge) between adjacent coils to stretch the spring and make it permanently longer.
Title: Re: Lightening coil springs
Post by: Pete Dunk on July 12, 2018, 08:48:56 PM
Lee Springs have a calculator that's useful . https://www.leespring.com/ (https://www.leespring.com/)
If you click on the link for "Compression springs" it will take you there.

The springs in question are what Lee Springs describe as "Extension Springs", I think they are more commonly called expansion springs in the UK. Compression springs do exactly the opposite to extension springs.
Title: Re: Lightening coil springs
Post by: mselic on July 16, 2018, 03:28:38 AM
Never tried it, but I've been told you can insert a screwdriver blade (like a wedge) between adjacent coils to stretch the spring and make it permanently longer.

This method worked.  Thanks!

Thanks everyone else for the info - much appreciated.
Title: Re: Lightening coil springs
Post by: george garside on July 16, 2018, 09:56:39 AM
Might be simpler to  exercise the fingers to strengthen them up a bit

george ;)
Title: Re: Lightening coil springs
Post by: mselic on July 16, 2018, 12:37:42 PM
Might be simpler to  exercise the fingers to strengthen them up a bit

george ;)

Fingers get plenty of exercise ;)

The springs on 4-stop boxes can often be more stiff than they need to be, and reducing some of that tension is usually an improvement.
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