compression springs

Hello from my igloo, Ok this is for future reference, I don’t have to do this operation yet but I want to know how this is done safely as I have some broken saddles which I would eventually like to replace. Inside the roller frames are the saddle rods and springs which hold the saddles tight against the rails as they roll. My question is what tool do you use to compress the springs safely when you remove or install these springs? They are in a confined space and they have alot of energy compressed in them. Can you post a picture of the tool and if possible how it is used during this proceedure.
Thanks and I hope your in a warmer climate then I.
Bruce

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I have done this a couple times, and it never seems to get easier. I look forward to hearing from other people on this.

I have found that tying a length of string a few coils in helps with installation. You still have to figure out how to pull on the string and get all the coils over the shaft at the same time, and then successfully get the pin on the end…. The spring typically shoots out and hits the wall at least 5 times before I get it.

The other trick that I used last time was to shove as much of the spring on as I could get, then put the pin in with some remaining outside. You can then turn the spring on the shaft to “screw” the remaining coils on. Time consuming, but much easier than trying to get it all on in one go.

To remove them, I’ve just pulled the pin and tried to control the resulting explosion as well as I could. Just don’t put your face in the line of fire…

Bruce Good Buddy, Thank you for your post, (on my account of) July last.!!
Re your spring compressors, here in U.K. we have listed several companies that market spring compressor,s that would accomodate tiny springs from Table Top Presses, up to American (so called Muscle Car) front suspension coil spring Compressors, needing many Foot/Lbs of compression.
Since many many years ago for working on Auto,s and Printing machine applications, rather than buying, a variety of compressors at different times, I would make my own, (not rocket science, in simplest form!!) as follow:- and suggested, look up, on line, Auto/Motor factors catalogues and note the simplest form(s) i.e. (Studding/Threaded rod) with 2 hooks, >steel plate, bent cold, in ordinary bench vice, studding as long/short as required, from 1/8” to maybe 1/2”, 2 nuts locked together, at one end, as back stop for bottom hook, 2 nuts locked together at cranking end, with floating hook behind one nut to act as tensioner/wind up means??
Modicom of skill, very modest outlay, One possible criteria/problem? clearance behind/between machine base and springs, if no approach from front.
As with Auto,s!! Before dis-assembly wind the springs up, enough to take the tension of the retaining pins/plates etc remove the arms/rods, leave the spring(s) compressed for re-assembly, or release, to wind up replacements, not exactly Hi-Tech or Hi-Spec or expensive??? , ,

I have had to do this and its not fun what I did was took a short piece of metal pipe think I used a metal broom handle from the shop and cut pieces about 6 inches long and slid them over the spring I hammered over the end of one side of the pipe then took another piece of the pipe with a notch I drilled to make room for the pin I pushed up the spring using the other pipe until I got to the hole in the shaft and lined up with the notch in the push piece of pipe threw in the pin and called it a job well done :)

image: 2014-07-19-1579.jpg

2014-07-19-1579.jpg

Thank you for your responses. I’m seeing the method now and it does look doable. I would like to avoid springs going ballistic.
Mick, That sounds like Tao, I will attempt to make the tool you describe.
Bruce

I just posted a method for compressing the saddle springs with a very economical tool and method I made up. It’s on youtube with a single take complete installation film clip:
http://youtu.be/wMLvs4u8vOQ

Hugo