Looking for Odd Compression Spring 1

[bhart]

OK, so I've spent about a day looking for a compression (return) spring for an air jack assembly. The problem now is that the spring binds on its housing due to diametral expansion of the spring when it compresses.
I have checked several stock spring listings for various companies and cannot find anything that seems appropriate. After contacting one company, they suggested looking for a small scale "spring shop", and then I called a few more, but none of these were exactly small scale.
So I am looking for help in one of two ways:
1. Can anyone tell me where I can find a <1.5" O.D., >1.25" I.D., 7-9" free length, 1.5-1.75" shut length, 5-10 lb/in spring in quantities as small as 6pcs?
2. Can anyone direct me toward a small scale spring shop that might be able to help me w/ this problem.
Thanks in advance for your assistance.

 

[Mandrake22]

The closest "off the shelf" solution I could find is using two (in series) Associated Spring #C1460-112-4000. These are Ø1.46 OD, Ø1.24 ID, Ø.112 wire, 4" free length, rate=13.9lb/in. Using these in series would result in a rate of approx. 7 lb/in. The solid height of two of these adds up to 2.04". They also have a 3.5" lg. version which would result in a rate of 8 lb/in and solid height of 1.8".

http://www.asraymond.com/spec/catalog/compspr.asp?curpage=69

 

[desertfox]

Hi bhart

A several of questions first:- the spring dimensions you quote are they the ones from original spring thats already binding? second whose design is the airjack might it be possible to get in touch with the manufacturers of the air jack and get a spring from them? thirdly how have you determined that the spring will do its job with a spring rate of 5 or 10lb/in.
If the original spring design was not an off the shelf item
I think you will be hard pressed to get one of the shelf.

regards desertfox

 

[alexit]

The company HELI-CAL (

http://www.heli-cal.com)

makes custom MACHINED springs from tube/bar stock with special helix cuts causing no change in OD when compressed. They are expensive (unlike bent wire) but they will make one, two, five pieces. Also since they are machined/heat-treat/finished you can have almost any spring rate you desire.

The website isn't working for me now, but you can Google and find more info.

 

[EnglishMuffin]

Have you tried "Century Spring" ? I expect so, but just a thought.

 

[bhart]

All,
I found a spring shop that could fill my order in such a short time period (actually less than 7 days) and they do small quantities.
They're at

http://www.springsfast.com,

imagine that.
Thanks again everybody.