Left Hand Springs

Unfortunately, working in the shop can be a little dangerous. I did a number on my right index finger, so this will slow me down for a while.

So, its on to projects I can do mostly with my left hand.

The busted seat springs have been a continuous issue for Angela. After welding them up in Natal, they were supposed to last ‘forever’. I don’t know how long until they broke again, but it wasn’t long. After I tried another welding job, I learned what should have been an obvious lesson. If you melt cold-rolled spring steel… it’s no longer cold-rolled spring steel. It held together just fine, but now those springs were just as malleable as my beloved bailing wire.

So, after a brief unsuccessful used seat search, I decided to try something else. Cut out the old springs. Buy new coil springs (45 lb each) from the local hardware store and tie them up with bailing wire. Later, I wired them up a little better than the photo and connected the middles of the springs with more wire (to limit lateral movement).

DSC_2469  DSC_2468 DSC_2476

Conclusion: works like a champ!

Also note that a carpenter’s pencil make a pretty good finger splint.

7 thoughts on “Left Hand Springs

  • October 1, 2013 at 12:07 PM
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    I am doing this at the next available opportunity. Thanks.

    Alright,
    Mitch.

  • October 1, 2013 at 12:08 PM
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    Sure thing, but can you do it one-handed?
    😉

  • October 2, 2013 at 5:50 AM
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    It only hurts when I point..

  • October 3, 2013 at 10:31 AM
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    Ahh, now I see.

  • January 5, 2014 at 10:50 PM
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    Update : they worked great for a while, but after a few months they started to sag in the middle. Looks like the best bet is to scour the junkyards for a replacement.

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