This is the way we make the springs
This is the way we make the springs
🎶This is the way we make the springs, make the springs, make the springs!🎶
Here's an overview of how I fabricated the striker action return springs. The striker actions were made from salvaged upright piano dampers. It was very handy that they had return springs, but those springs were too stiff and brittle for our purposes. Here's a picture of damper arms with the original springs:
Here's several damper arms all ready for their new springs. That tool that looks like a grip exerciser is a piano flange pinning tool. You can also see an action-mounting plate all ready with its capstans and several modified pallet magnets all ready for a set of eight striker actions.
Fabricating and installing the new spring
Fabricating and installing the new spring
I tested several different materials for the new springs and I ended up using 0.025" MIG wire. It's nice and pliable and can hold its shape when it's positioned to distribute force well.
I made a spring winding tool with a block of maple and a piano balance rail pin and wrapped three times starting at 6:00 and ending at a 2:00 position.
Next I threaded the standing end of the spring into the retaining hole and used a toothpick to pin it in place.
I trimmed the wire below the flange, glued the toothpick into place and clipped off the excess.
Removing the old spring
Removing the old spring
The first thing I did was unpin the flange so I could remove the spring.
Here's a closeup of the original spring. They were held in place with some rolled bushing cloth. You can see the tiny hole for seating the spring drilled into the flange.
