c-259 Century Springs from ACE - are they supposed to be so short and so tight?

[David Delaney]

I am in the process of putting together my arm for the steadicam (going on 3.5 years now).  I am finding it almost impossible to stretch the spring to meet each bolt head because the c-259 extension springs are so short and tight.
Here are the specs :
http://www.acehardwaresuperstore.com/extension-spring-steel-p-44375.html?sort=3a&page=5

13/16 X 4 X .120

I was under the impression that this spring was right for the job, but should I have gotten a longer one (I don't even know if they carry longer ones in that dimension).

If the springs in fact, are supposed to be tight, how does one stretch them over the length of the two bolt heads?  Specialize tools?

[Charles King]

By getting longer springs would mean you would have to get a strong grade that would be of eqvalent to the shorter springs. That means longer springs but thicker wire dimensions and most probably wider dimensions. Qusetion. Did you not follow Cody's sugggestion for getting springs?

[David Delaney]

I tried to follow the guide as much as possible, but cost became prohibitive when shipping from the USA to Canada, duty etc.  Someone in the forums suggested these c-259 century springs - and they were relatively cheap compared to ordering online, so I thought I would try them.  Was there something that I missed?

[Mike Mann]

David,

     The springs are very tight and I had my doubts about them as well.  In Cody's book it gives lengths to the cables that just wouldn't work for me so I had to remake them all a bit longer to fix the same problem you are having.  Once I did that I only had to stretch a little to get the bolts started into the spring plugs and good to go.  Hope this helps.

Mike

[David Delaney]

Are we talking about the same arm - cody phase I?  If so, how did you work it out?  Can you show me some pics on how you managed to fix this thing?

[Mike Mann]

My apologies David.  I wasn't aware that this was the Phase 1 version of the arm.  I've gotten so used to my 3 spring setup that I forgot about it.  Hopefully someone can help you out.

[David Delaney]

I hope so too, I want to finish this off finally.  3 years is a long time...
I am going to try and get the springs to work, but I don't know how I am going to stretch them...

[Jake Danilchik]

the c-259's are meant for the phase II arm, way too heavy and too short for the phase 1 cody arm.   Maybe these ( in series ) would work for you ?  at $3.29 (US) a package of two.... it might be worth trying ?

http://www.acehardwareoutlet.com/(1mh3bcn323djdjrqgmlibn55)/ProductDetails.aspx?SKU=5214135

CENTURY SPRING C-175 EXTENSION SPRING 3/4'' x 2-7/16''

Catalog and Web only
ACE# 5214135
MFR# C-175
Price:  $3.29
Price shown is for Website Purchases
(click for pricing policy)
Quantity

   Request for Quote for volume orders
$    Found a better deal?... email us
Normally Ships Same Day if Ordered Before Noon EST (Item in Stock)

EXTENSION SPRING

3/4'' OD
2-7/16'' Length
.105'' Wire diameter
.74'' Maximum deflection
46.2 LBS maximum safe load
Open wound helical finished at ends
Provides resistance to compression forces
Steel
Polybag of 2

[David Delaney]

Thanks for that.  I am going to try and trade the other ones for this if they have it at the location...

[David Delaney]

Jake,

I bought a set today, they are even smaller than the other ones!  I don't know if I can stretch those either.  What to do?

[Jake Danilchik]

David,

Do you realize that you if you use those springs that I suggested you will be required to daisy chain ( "in series"  ) two of them to make it the right length.  2 springs end to end will make the length close to being appropriate ( or at least closer than your previous attempts ).

Jake

[David Delaney]

Oh, excellent - ok I can do that.  I will let you know!

[David Delaney]

Ok, I have tried the http://www.acehardwareoutlet.com/(1mh3bcn323djdjrqgmlibn55)/ProductDetails.aspx?SKU=5214135 springs in a daisy chain.  It is very tight, but I can manage to pull it across (only one joint though so far).  Now, my question is the same as always, is it supposed to be this tight?  It feels a lot like a bedspring, very strong.  I don't mind putting more weight on the sled if I need too, but if these aren't the right springs, I have to return them before the 30 day return period.

As an example of how tight it is with just 1X2 daisy chain on the joint, I have a difficult time separating it by hand.  With 2X 2 daisy chained, it going to be a real struggle.  Do the people making Cody I arm find this too?

[Steve Bernard]

Just as a heads up, I spent 15 minutes on the phone with one of Century's engineers.  I too have had the problem with springs for the Phase 1 set-up.  Cody's book does not give part numbers and trying to go online and spec them was not working.

After my conversation with the engineer, he suggested part # 80903 for the .105 springs (.075 x 4.5"), and # 80883 for the .093 (.75 x 4.5") springs.  These have the full loops and are music wire (non-finished).  They are a bit expensive for springs $13.80 and $14.40, respectively, but if you need them, you need them.

I will be stopping by Century in a couple of days to pick them up, I will bring my book to see about getting the part numbers for the other springs spec'ed by Cody's book and I will post them.

Hope this helps.