Legend Series Cabin Door Handle Springs Update 1

[Rick D]

You recall I was searching for some replacement torsion springs for my cabin door handles. Well, after about $100 at McMaster-Carr buying anything I thought might work or modify, and after only being able to find manufacturers by Googling that had no retail outlet, I stumbled across an article on making your own springs, which was for a completely different kind. However, it made me think about trying it. So, I went to my local ACE hardware and found some .062 music wire. I used a machine screw about the same diameter as the one in the lockset to use as a bending mandrel. I put it in my vice. I used a torch to heat the wire cherry red and wound two turns clockwise, ending with the arms 180 degrees. I let it cool rather than quenching it, and then trimmed the arms to fit. So far, so good. I'll see how it works on the boat. If it is too loose, I will go with a thicker wire and one wind. Then we will have to see how durable it is. I'll update as things develop. Rick D.

 

[Don12364]

Music Wire

Rick,Music wire, alias Piano Wire, is capable of being cold formed yet still retaining its spring qualities. If one heat treats wires as thin as this it is very difficult to get back to the right temper and it is often too soft and takes a permanent set or too hard and breaks on first use.May I suggest repeating the process cold but using a thinner mandrel to allow for spring back. I made two springs today from .062" piano wire for the door handles in my house.BTW - The less wire there is in a spring the stiffer it is. The reverse is also true so you might try altering the number of turns or fractions of turns but keeping the same wire diameter in order to get the same feel to the locks.Rgds,Don.

 

[Terry Cox]

Hi Rick, speaking of projects, unrelated to yours,...

I recently made two stern rail seats for our P42, which I covered in the Photo Forum. While we were out cruising a few weeks ago the admiral decided to try it out, but as she moved around on the seat the front part unclipped causing her to role off; no harm done. So, a modification was in order.Using 1/4" SS rod I fabricated a hook that secures the seat to the rail. I cold rolled it around a one inch deep socket to form a hook, then cut 1/4" X 20 threads in one end. I'll post pictures shortly to explain the modification, but I just love doing boat projects like this. Terry

 

[Rick D]

DonAlex and Terry

Don: good suggestion. I tried forming them and then quenching them. It produced a too brittle product just as you suggest. Then I just let it cool. So far, it appears OK. I'll try another cold-formed. It is a small (maybe 3/16) staff that the spring pivots on, so it would be tough to cold form, I think. But, since I didn't try, I will. And, yes, I will try one with just one rather than two turns to see if that adds enough spring. Good call again. Terry: sounds like a great project. I'll look at the photo forum to see the result. Rick D.

 

[Steve Dion]

Oh my my!

Rick:Do you realize that if you pull this one off, you may become our "official" Rube Goldberg of the HOW site.This will be two contraptions in a single month. First your annenometer fix and then the "spring". Now you can re-try that Jabsco and we can award you an official certificate!

 

[Rick D]

Steve: That Jabsco Ought To Be...

...a whole separate prize category!

 

[Rick D]

Don: Just Wound A Couple...

...cold. Used one .062 and one .055. Easier than I thought. Did only one wind this time. We'll see how the one I heated does while on the boat. Thanks again. Rick D.