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Miniature Springs

Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2016 4:45 pm
by 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.

Re: Miniature Springs

Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2016 5:21 pm
by 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.

Re: Miniature Springs

Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2016 5:43 pm
by 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.

Re: Miniature Springs

Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2016 1:06 pm
by 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.

Re: Miniature Springs

Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2016 1:12 pm
by EddyK
Inside these things are nice small springs:

Re: Miniature Springs

Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2016 3:44 pm
by 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.

Re: Miniature Springs

Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2016 3:48 pm
by 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... :-)

Re: Miniature Springs

Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2016 7:04 pm
by 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? :clap:

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