Spring tensioning & replacement

[flutego12]

Is there any good resource, weblink on assessing for and performing spring retensioning and ultimately spring replacement? Which tool will I need?

I have a flute currently that do not play evenly up and down the scale and am wondering how that's adjusted.

Phelan &Burkhart's flute manual provides some ideal spring tension readings which appear to be different for each key - how on earth is that measured, tested or adjusted?

When does one make the decision to dispose of a spring instead of retensioning it? Fascinating!

THank you.

[mirwa]

To set springs comes with experience, one knows without really thinking how much of a kick to put into a spring just by looking at the thickness and the location where it is to be used.

Without knowing this where does one start,

The best is to assume the manufacturer has put in the right gauge of spring wire to start with, you need to have the key in place and test its feel to you, sense of touch is very important in repair.

If the key feels too light, then you remove the key and use a pair of spring bending pliers and apply a gentle curavture to the spring,

Refit the key and try again, if the tension is still too low then repeat process until; desired tension is achieved

If you cannot achieve the tension required then replacement will be necessary.

To replace you need spring removal pliers and side cutters, I like to cut the spring of close to the post about 1mm proud, then I use the spring removal pliers to press the wire loose from the post.

A new spring will need to be sized and fitted correctly, you will also need to put a small flat section on the base to locate it in the post, a small butane torch hammer and anvil works well

If the tension is too tight on a key then I use a pair of flat duck bill pliers to flatten the radius out of the spring

[flutego12]

To set springs comes with experience, one knows without really thinking how much of a kick to put into a spring just by looking at the thickness and the location where it is to be used.

Without knowing this where does one start,

The best is to assume the manufacturer has put in the right gauge of spring wire to start with, you need to have the key in place and test its feel to you, sense of touch is very important in repair.

If the key feels too light, then you remove the key and use a pair of spring bending pliers and apply a gentle curavture to the spring,

Refit the key and try again, if the tension is still too low then repeat process until; desired tension is achieved

If you cannot achieve the tension required then replacement will be necessary.

To replace you need spring removal pliers and side cutters, I like to cut the spring of close to the post about 1mm proud, then I use the spring removal pliers to press the wire loose from the post.

A new spring will need to be sized and fitted correctly, you will also need to put a small flat section on the base to locate it in the post, a small butane torch hammer and anvil works well

If the tension is too tight on a key then I use a pair of flat duck bill pliers to flatten the radius out of the spring

I do apologize for the earlier outburst, Steve.
The above is gem. Of course I have to go process it now. That Phelan's book has tension readings suggests to me that it can be measured. How's that done?
Sounds like I will need the duck bill after all and the spring tensioning plier plus plus.

[mirwa]

I have the book as well, and IMO its a good coffee rest.

Dont get me wrong theres a lot of people in the world with an opinion and yes I am one of those as well. However at least they put there opinion in a book and had it published.

Yes one can measure the tension applied at a key with a force gauge, but whats the point of that, if you put a screw in too tight then your measuring the friction of the screw and the tension of the spring and the friction within the mechanism.

There are so many people who try to quantify into words a process that in the end it becomes almost too technical to follow.

Measuring tensions measuring key height openings measuring side play measuring strength of metals, its all irrelevant, assemble the instrument and use your sense of touch, we humans are very capable of fine tolerances, we just dont utilise our senses enough.

With time and repeated processes you will develop your sense of touch and that is what will make you good at your job, not the fact you are quantifying tensions with a gauge

[flutego12]

I have the book as well, and IMO its a good coffee rest.

Dont get me wrong theres a lot of people in the world with an opinion and yes I am one of those as well. However at least they put there opinion in a book and had it published.

Yes one can measure the tension applied at a key with a force gauge, but whats the point of that, if you put a screw in too tight then your measuring the friction of the screw and the tension of the spring and the friction within the mechanism.

There are so many people who try to quantify into words a process that in the end it becomes almost too technical to follow.

Measuring tensions measuring key height openings measuring side play measuring strength of metals, its all irrelevant, assemble the instrument and use your sense of touch, we humans are very capable of fine tolerances, we just dont utilise our senses enough.

With time and repeated processes you will develop your sense of touch and that is what will make you good at your job, not the fact you are quantifying tensions with a gauge

Gotcha - thanks.