Alternate to Mcmaster-Carr springs

[wetman]

Does anyone know where i could find suitable and similar alternates to the mcmaster 3932K24 springs for straps? They seem to be the perfect spring but now mcmaster doesnt sell those and has an alternate that based on specs looks to be a bit too springy. I may be wrong about that but not sure and was wondering if anyone has run into this yet.

Are there any other industrial supply places you guys might recommend?


thanks

steve

 

[Scubaroo]

I happen to have some of the old ones, and some new ones - the newer ones are slightly springier, but the difference was *barely* perceptable to my highly calibrated fingers

I've searched the web for extension springs several times, and I can't find anything that compares to McMaster Carr for ease of online ordering - many places list what look to be suitable springs, but only make them in a 6" or 8" length as maximum, and anything else is a custom order.

 

[wetman]

Well, i guess i'll order a few and we'll see what happens... Sometimes i wish i didn't push these things... After this dive weekend we've got 4 more people wanting them.

steve

 

[Birdman]

There is another way to go at McMaster Carr. They sell 20" unfinished springs of the 1/2" outside diameter variety in two different wire diameters, cat numbers:
9665K31
9665K69

What drove me to seek them was a need for springs longer than 11-12". Didn't see these springs on the McMaster site at first since you have to scroll down pretty far on the menu to find them and it helps to know they are there ahead of time. I will second that useful springs from companies other than mcmaster are a special order, even if you get them unfinished. I called several spring suppliers around the country and once they are doing something special a minimum order kicks in to the tune of about $100.

If memory serves I went with the .072" wire diameter variety. My hard disk with my notes crashed, so I would have to actually measure them to find out which way I went. Cut them down with a dremel using the titanium cutting bit and they are working fine.

 

[wetman]

Do you have the .062s to compare with? i really like the pull on those and wonder just how much stiffer the .072s are. I did see the longer 20"ers mentioned on some website but i think the ones mentioned there were the .054s. Decisions decisions...

I think i'm going with a couple of the replacement ones and i'll post here how they turn out/compare with the current popular ones.

As soon as i took my restrictor string out i had to trim off a bit more spring to make them slightly tighter. What fins are you using that you'd needed such long springs? I'm mostly familiar with the turtles/jets and mares. Going to be putting some on some cressi ones shortly (thas what this round of springs is for actually).

steve

 

[Birdman]

I am using them on jets. When all was said and done + I had cut them down through two iterations, I am using what is close to the standard length provided for the .062 spring. So it happens that my need for longer springs was only a perception that later turned out to be more or less wrong. It is possible to calculate a "rate" for a spring using the spring constant and then compare springs since the wire diameter only seems to tell part of the story. I am no expert on springs and only know what I picked up in my web travels. There are various equations on manufacturer sites for this and McMaster Carr says something about it, too, and they give the spring constants. At the time I got the .072's I recall doing the calculations to compare with the .062's and they were comparable. I do in fact have the .062's on some other fins and I haven't noticed a great difference, but I haven't logged a lot of miles on the other fins as I am now only using my jets.

 

[pcscuba]

I'm using the new spring from Mcmaster. I was also a little worried they would be to flimsy but they are great. If you have any other questions, you can call Jones Spring Co. 859-581-7600. These are the same springs as Mcmaster sells. Actually that is where Mcmaster gets their springs.

 

[wetman]

I agree with pcscuba - the new springs are quite ok. Almost exact - they feel identical and i doubt i could tell them appart if they got mixed up. Just got 8 today.

steve

 

[Boogie711]

I just ordered in a dozen. Enough for my fins, my buddies fins, mess up a set, and have some spares.

 

[wetman]

And all the people that see you with them and want them... They are a popular item.

steve