Where to buy small springs.

[Colin Stamp]

Hi all,

I need six compression springs, about 20-30mm long and fairly stiff, to go over M5 screws. They're for some home-brew headlight aim adjusters.

Looking online doesn't seem to be turning up anything suitable. I guess I need someone that does model engineering supplies or something like that, but a quick online search doesn't seem to be turning anything up.

Any ideas?

Cheers,

Colin.

[Brian Reay]

May be a bit large in diameter but try "Halfords" (or another car factor) and ask for a brake shoe retaining kit. These are pretty cheap and include a spring, a sort of pin with a keyed end and a dimpled washer. Lots of cars use them and they are a readily available replacement bit. Halfords use to do them in the "odd and sods" kits.

--

73 Brian

[Lobster]

Did you try Screwfix? ISTR seeing a 'selection pack' of springs in their catalogue.

David

[FaultyFiesta]

How about RS at

? If you type "Compression Spring" in the search box you'll get a list of springs, some of which are quite close in size to what you're looking for.

[The Medway Handyman]

Try

they do mail order,

[Dave Plowman (News)]

They're rather large for M5 screws, though?

[The3rd Earl Of Derby]

Maplins do a 150 pack, type springs in their search box.

-- Sir Benjamin Middlethwaite

[Colin Stamp]

Thanks all for the help.

I'd seen the selection packs in a few places. They look like they'd be handy for other stuff, but I'm guessing I'd have to be pretty lucky to get one with 6 of the springs I need in it.

I hadn't even thought of trying RS. They do some that look like they might do, but are probably a bit on the light side. Checking the data sheet, they turn out to be made by Springmasters, who were one of the suggestions anyway, so I think I'll give them a ring on Monday. The 15 quid minimum order is a bit annoying, but I can always buy a selection pack to make the price up...

Thanks again,

Colin.

[The3rd Earl Of Derby]

Visit a scrapyard and take as many off a car headlights as you can.

-- Sir Benjamin Middlethwaite

[Another Nick]

Look in your Yellow Pages - under "Spring Mfrs & Suppliers"

[Bob Minchin]

try here

[Another Nick]

You're misquoting my post...

Anyway, I've used Lee before (not for mail order.) IIRC, they're not cheap for small quantites, but they'll definately have what you want.

[Mathew Newton]

Have you tried eBay?

e.g.

[The Natural Philosopher]

Its easy enough to wind your won from steel wire.

Model shops do it down to about 30 SWG and below that guitar strings work.