Old camera springs

kmphoto · Sep 17, 2019

Does anyone make their own camera springs?
And how do you do it?

I've seen a couple of things where you can twist a spring using a drill press and thin wire wrapped around a rod in a drill press. You clamp the wire up inside the chuck when you tighten the chuck to hold it tight.

Seems when the press spins the wire wraps around the rod and makes a spring if you keep the wire pulled tight.
Has anyone tried this?

Jim Jones · Sep 17, 2019

Yes, it works fairly well.

shutterfinger · Sep 17, 2019

I follow this http://www.deansphotographica.com/machining/projects/springs/springs.html
Works well with a drill with a locking chuck (cordless drill) and small vise grips to hold the wire with as you pull it tight and wrap it around the rod.
Allow for expansion by using a rod 50% to 60% of the desired inside diameter of the spring.

glbeas · Sep 17, 2019

How do you deal with tempering the metal? Springs are more than just coiled metal, needs some stiffness to keep from deforming over time.

John51 · Sep 18, 2019

glbeas said:
How do you deal with tempering the metal? Springs are more than just coiled metal, needs some stiffness to keep from deforming over time.

In an article I read, the springs were wrapped in a large ball of steel wool and baked in a domestic oven.

Jim Jones · Sep 18, 2019

glbeas said:
How do you deal with tempering the metal? Springs are more than just coiled metal, needs some stiffness to keep from deforming over time.

You start with spring steel. It remains springy unless heated to several hundred degrees F.

Luckless · Sep 18, 2019

I've made a few custom springs for simple things that required rather vague tolerances over the years, but I've not attempted to replace a precision clockwork spring yet.

Personally I like the control and speed of making a little fire brick furnace/mini forge for heat treatment. Having the option for heat treating the springs while you're working on them opens up more options for stronger and more reliable springs that maintain their form better over ones you can make without heat treating them.

osella · Sep 18, 2019

While fairly expensive for one spring($5-$10) you can buy a wide range of springs from here: www.leespring.com

It may be cheaper if you don’t already have the materials at hand.

shutterfinger · Sep 18, 2019

I use piano wire, wrap it to shape, heat in an inexpensive toaster oven then use.
Its all in the linked instructions posted in post 3.

Old camera springs

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