Using A Hemingway Spring Winder To Make Small Springs

[@kbosmack]

Nice work! You made the journey to spring town just as enjoyable as the destination, which is a key ingredient to developing new skills. I've never seen the spring winder before...it looks like a handy thing to have stashed in the accessories drawer 👍.

[@LaneTheProjectGuy]

Your very kind. I'll keep trying and getting better!

[@CoopDeKill]

i ave enjoyed this content and want to see more about the train and building parts

[@LaneTheProjectGuy]

Thanks for the kind comments. The plans are from the 1950’s and only 22 sets were sold.

[@evzone84]

Brilliant video. Keep up the good content

[@LaneTheProjectGuy]

Thanks, will do!

[@aeroearth]

You could try bending the crank at the start of the spring more than 90 degrees and then fit it into one of the three collet slots. That's what I do. Then I made a V groove tool for the four way tool post to guide the wire which has a separate top plate held with a small cap screw to restrain the wire in the groove. To set the spring pitch I use the Lathe's leadscrew gear box. Set the Lathe to run very slowly as you did and back wind the start of the spring by having the wire back at say 5 degrees to get closed turns. Then wind the required number of active turns and disenage the saddle drive and back wind the outer end of the spring to get closed turns at the other end. With a long thin mandrel I support the other end in the tailstock chuck and so can wind several springs in one long piece. I don't let the spring rapidly unwind, as I found that can distort the spring, so set the Lathe in reverse of the winding direction until the radial spring tension is released. Slide the cranked end out of the collet slot, then cut the springs apart with piano wire side cutters which you can buy from piano component suppliers. After making the spring you will find that it has hysteresis due to the slip lines in the crystalline structure of the wire material. To ease these out, wash the spring in Naptha and don't touch the surface. Hold on a thin piece of clean wire. Then heat very gently and slowly with a hot air gun or butane torch waved over the spring until you see a dark straw colour. Then dunk the spring into cold water to arrest the process. You'll be amazed at the difference it makes stress relieving springs after forming. I polish the wire before forming with 1500 wet and dry paper to better see the tempering colour. Best spring wire I have found is made by Roslau in Germany, available from piano component suppliers. Subscribed.

[@LaneTheProjectGuy]

Thank you for taking the time for your comment. I’m always interested in learning and you given me some very good information.

[@StanandMelissaLong]

So neat!

[@LaneTheProjectGuy]

Thanks! I thought it was neat also. Invaluable tool if you need it.

[@kinggeorgessawmill3807]

You are DEFINITELY one of my favorite content creators! Did you design the plans? If so is there a downloadable version I would love to make one of these. I have always been obsessed with steam engines mobile and stationary so you building this train is an absolutely experience for me!

[@LaneTheProjectGuy]

No dowloadable plans, sorry. There were only a few sets sold many, many years ago. Try PM Model Engines for some great kits to get you started.

[@horacerumpole6912]

No mention or view of the spring wire-

[@LaneTheProjectGuy]

I’m sorry. It’s .041 music wire in stainless steel. You can choose size appropriate for your project up to the limits of the tool.