Key Springs

Uilleann Pipes
1

Where is the best place to find the wee springs that fit under the keys? thanks

2

These things?

http://www.thebandroom.biz/01_item_action.php?id=133

3

BC Childress would know..

4

If you want to use a ready made key spring from a woodwind/brass instrument, check with these guys.
Lots of stuff , no minimum quantities, free shipping.
I have bought lots of pads and springs and things from them.

http://www.musicmedic.com/

Tim

5

Thanks…but not the one’s I am thinking of…they fit behind the keys on the chanter and also on the regs…if anyone has any idea where to search drop me a note, thanks…cheers..

6

You can hammer them yourself from brass or bronze rod or sheet and rivet or screw them onto the keys. Or use flat steel springs sold at music shops. Depends on what your chanter’s keys need.

7

maybe I was mistaken.
I thought the type he has is like mine: small coil springs.
If so, I remember when Bruce made my changer, it was the first of that
design, and he said “you can get these at any hardware store” or something like that.

8

Yeah. Wee coil springs. But I am unable to find them.

9

Try: smallparts.com they stock compression springs.

Here are some examples:

Music Wire Instrument Comp Spring, 0.088" OD x 0.008"
http://www.smallparts.com/music-instrument-spring-0-088-length/dp/B000FOB6VS/ref=sr_1_56?sr=1-56&qid=1305416502


Stainless Steel 302 Compression Spring, 0.18" OD x .016"
http://www.smallparts.com/stainless-steel-compression-spring-length/dp/B000FOFFLA/ref=sr_1_59?sr=1-59&qid=1305416502

10

Ball point pens…

11

Jon C. that’s something I didn’t think of, great idea…will check them out cheers.

12

Try Ferries: http://www.ferreestools.com/ they stock both bronze and steel flat springs of many different sizes, also the tiny screws.


Pat Sky

13

For what it’s worth, I have found the coil springs on my Childress chanter to be very effective, and I suspect they won’t suffer as much from potential metal fatigue as flat springs. They also take up less space behind the keys, which could be useful for regulator design.

14

do you happen to know the spring dimensions? thanks, cheers.

15

I will measure them when I get home this pm.

16

thanks…cheers…

17

They’re tiny. About 3mm diameter x 5 mm long. I’m estimating the length as they’re a bit compressed even when at rest. they really do look like pen springs, but maybe a bit beefier.

18

Chanter key springs: 1/8" diameter, 3/8" Length, .016" Wire gauge. Regulator short keys: 1/8" diameter, 1/2" Length, .016" Wire gauge. Regulator long keys: 1/8" diameter, 3/8" Length, .018" Wire gauge. All “compression springs”. Suppliers: MSC Direct http://www1.mscdirect.com/cgi/nnsrhm And McMaster Carr: http://www.mcmaster.com/#