Miniature Springs

[SCHWEREPANZER]

Hi All,

All my search efforts have ended in vain so far. Hopefully, that negative result will end here.

I am looking for those miniature springs that might attach the rear mud flap to the tread way on, say, a Panzer IV or the front and rear mud flaps to the tread way on, say, an Elefant. These springs are roughly 15-17 mm in length to include the circular end attaching rings. For example, the Hooben Elefant has imitation "springs" at the mud guard edges. The tank would look a lot better with real springs.

Even manufacturers that specialize in springs of all sizes are mum on this one.

I look to the brain trust that resides here. Thanks All.

[dgsselkirk]

I haven't done a Pz. IV for a while but used the little springs out of old bic lighters. They are bang on for scale and actually function.

[RobW]

Watch makers maybe? Suspect they'll be expensive though. Part of the problem is that the materials for springs at that scale are a pain to work with.

If it's for the look maybe a bit of thin wire wrapped around a sprue? If it's all glued together it'll stay in shape.

[SCHWEREPANZER]

Thanks Gents for the good thoughts on the matter. I will look into each of them. I have come upon some very nice looking 3-D resin PZ IV "springs" by Woz, by chance. I ordered them up as the "springs" for my build need not be working pieces.

Thanks again.

[EddyK]

Inside these things are nice small springs:

[greengiant]

The flint springs in the really cheap Chinese made clear cig lighters are even smaller then the bics. Used them to make the rear mud flaps on my Pz 1V operational. could also be used to replace molded on springs on nonoperational mud flaps.

[dgsselkirk]

When I said BIC I just meant that type of lighter in general. You have to try a few to find the right size...

[SCHWEREPANZER]

Thanks again, All,

Thought I'd look into EddyK's watch band link lead and look what I found:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/360Pcs-8-to-25m ... Swv0tVVZB7

Where am I going to find the time to build all these Pz IVs and variants to use all these up?

I knew I could count on the brain trust that resides here!