Finding interest in Pantograph springs. Please post. Head count.

[u18b]

OK.

I'm going to make and order for springs for my EP-2 project for the pantographs.
Details of my work are described on p 15 of the EP-2 thread.
https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=31042.210


This will take some of my time, but I'm willing to help out since others of you said you wanted some possibly too.  I'll place my order plus whatever y'all want.

The spring in question is this one (next to my pantograph).



It is 1 inch long. 
It is a plain extension spring. 
No hooks on the end.
It is small diameter- about .6 mm (that's about 1/2 a millimeter).

You will have to kitbash them for your needs like I did in the EP-2 thread.

For a good set up of the EP-2, one 1 inch spring could be split.  It takes 6 kitbashed springs to do a full EP-2 like I did.  So 3 of these springs would be required for an EP-2 with both pants raised.


Not sure how much you would need for a Kato GG-1 or some other loco.

The cost will be $2 per spring. plus $1 for shipping and handling (no matter how many you get).

I'm having these made.  This price is a whole lot better than the +$6 I saw elsewhere.

So I'm not asking for money now, just post if you want some.... and how many.

I plan to place and pay for the order on March 4.  So let me know on this thread by then.

When I get them, I will PM you here on Railwire to let you know they are here.

This is a one-time deal.  I'm not a spring salesman.  I just thought since I was ordering some, others might want some too-- since these are not readily available.

I take PayPal.

Ron

[bbussey]

Interesting.  Might be easier to keep the Kato GG1 panto equalized with the smaller spring diameter.  But that's still a problem I haven't found a solution to.

[peteski]

Ron, I'll take 6 of those springs. I would really rather have one I could fondle to experiment with it (see how strong it is, etc.) but I'll take a chance.  I wonder what quantity you ordered for these to still cost so much money?

Another thing that bugs me is that since this spring came in the sample assortment, the manufacturer already has a setup for producing these springs (for someone).  Wouldn't that mean that your cost would be cheaper, since the jig, or whatever they use to wind springs, is already made?

[u18b]

Hi Peteski.

Not sure what questions I can answer... but here is what I know.

I plan to get about 30 springs to add to my parts box.  I have some uses for some of them.

So the price I was quote was for 30.  The actual price was 1.68
I'm not in any way trying to give people the shaft, but I don't want to deal with pennies.
Also, I'll be providing the envelopes, time to do this, possible gas to the post office, possible dumb paypal fees, etc.  So I thought it would just be easier to round up to an even number.  Obviously, if someone here wants 100, I would break that down and charge less.  But I kind of didn't think anybody would want more than 5-10 each.

Now, if I can boost the order to 100 and they drop the price to an even 1.50 or less, then I would drop the price.

But in answer to your question, the number so far before them is 30.  Although I have a gut feeling a "price break" would happen at maybe 500.  Not 100.  But who knows?

I can't comment on their business model/practice.  I was told that they don't "keep stock on hand".  But they have some samples.  So I kind of hoped that they already had as few as 30 on hand.  I wasn't told if they do or don't.  I was just given a price.

You are correct in that we are talking about a spring they have already made.

The actual description I was given on this was:

Compression Spring  (I'm thinking this is an error.  It should be an extension spring- I asked for clarification)
Wire:  0.0045" Music Wire
Free Length:  1"
OD:  0.0235"

Since they are music wire and not brass, I feel they are pretty strong for a little spring.  Obviously a pantograph needs a balance between strength and "springiness".

As for high cost.  What can I say.  Another company I saw on the web was offering springs that were actually fatter for over 6 bucks each. So  $1.68 didn't seem that high.   The folks I am dealing with are very friendly and helpful.  I asked for a quote from another company and have only heard crickets.

Hope some of this helps.

[peteski]

Ron,
thanks for the thorough reply. I was not trying to accuse you of trying to shaft anybody. I was simply puzzled by the relatively high cost of an item they are already set up to produce.  But I agree that a quantity you ordered (30) is way too small to get any sort of a volume discount.

I don't have any problem whatsoever with you charging $2.00 for a $1.68 item.  Your shipping charge is also very reasonable.

Your custom spring venture actually gave me an idea of having springs made which are soft enough to replace the stiff suspension springs in brass steam locos. That way the sprung suspension would actually work properly!

[u18b]

... I was not trying to accuse you of trying to shaft anybody. ....

No problem.  I didn't think you were.

[VonRyan]

I'll take 2.
Maybe these will get my RPO project off the ground. 

-Cody F.

[peteski]

I'll take 2.
Maybe these will get my RPO project off the ground. 

-Cody F.

I think you need spring which will be much softer than these (at least judging by working with the pantograph springs I have worked with).  But then, what I envision for the mechanism probably differs from what you are thinking of.

[u18b]

So.... that makes 8 so far.

If there is not much interest- that's ok.

But if anybody wants any, please speak up.

Thanks,
Ron

[robwill84]

I would be interested in four. I'm going to be experimenting with sprung trolley poles, so these might be perfect for that.

[u18b]

The count is now at 12.

I'm bumping this for the weekend crown..

If you want any, I'll be ordering in about three days.

So speak up.

[u18b]

The springs have arrived.

I have contacted the guys who said they wanted some.

If you are interested, let me know.

You can send me a Private Message.


Ron