Springs

The following was posted on a great Pilates Discussion Board (founder Tom Floyd) by Edgar; he has the springs manufactured for his Apparatus

Hello, long time listener, first time caller.
I know a pretty good deal about springs. Ms. Siri proposed that I write an article on springs.
I'm in the process.
Dear readers, your questions, concerns and trepidations will be a great help in my organization of said article,
and a service to our Pilates community.
I thank you
Edgar

Hello again,
I am Edgar Tirado. I've been practicing Pilates since '97. I was certified by Romana (then the Pilates Studio NY) Jan 99.
I built my first Reformer before I was certified. Peter did his end of conference demo on it in Dallas recently.
Why did I? I thought I could make a better one.

On to springs.
'Rule of the thumb' as I understand it, the origin of the expression is Middle Age, when it was fashionable for a husband to beat his wife. The rule: the stick you beat her with, could be no thicker than his thumb.
Anyway...
Spring basics as it pertains to Pilates Apparatus

COIL SPRINGS

1. Compression
2. Extension

In our work all but two, are extension springs.

The Foot Corrector (compression) The Magic Circle (spring clamp)

The story goes that Joseph used barrel hoops. Powder kegs or nail kegs hoops seem more likely.

Determining factors of spring extension:

1. Gauge of wire (diameter of the wire) typically, oil tempered music wire
2. The thickest, chair springs. The thinnest, arm chair springs
3. The inside diameter of the coil
4. The number of coils per inch
5. The length of the spring

Part Deux

How long can you expect springs to last?

A pretty long time provided you don't take them for granted.

Look for advanced oxidation (if there are rust flakes involved, get new springs and try not to let them get that way again)More on this later for environments that are very humid, tropical or seaside-ish.

Under normal conditions a periodic light wiping of the springs with odorless mineral spirits and then an even lighter wiping with a highly refined oil (3 in 1) should do the trick belaying the acid action of daily handling.
Next time: Performance
Thanks,
ET