Spring for Climax track pickup plunger

[Waikiki968]

Hi all,

My trusty old Climax needs new springs for the wheel pickup plungers (https://estore.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=69_641&products_id=8301 -- sold out).  Bachmann parts does not have this spring and suggested I post here to see if anyone has a source. 

Thanks.

[g-guage_trains]

Hi, try Kadee springs.
alanrr

[Greg Elmassian]

The Kadees are pretty low tension springs, not sure they are strong enough for the wheel plungers.

Have you tried them yourself? Perhaps the springs from a ball point pen, but kind of small in diameter.

Greg

[Mike]

When I had that spring problem with my 45 ton, I went to the local hardware store and described my problem. A sharp young clerk went to her locksmith equipment and we found a couple of springs which have worked very well. And since I was using them on a model railroad engine, she refused any payment! I'll definitely go back to that store! Good luck with your loco.-MS

[jviss]

Mike's solution is brilliant! 

One would think a determined materials manager could contact their loco supplier and just ask to purchase a 1000 of these springs.  How hard could that be?  How much could that cost?  Or even 100?

Failing that, with a fairly simple specification one could source them otherwise. 

They might even be in stock at a spring supplier.

Here's a challenge.  Can someone who has this spring, or needs it, or wants spares supply this information?

outer diameter
free length
rate
load
deflection (distance traveled)
total coils
solid height
inner diameter
wire diameter

That's nine parameters that describe a coil spring fairly well.  The material is missing, let's see what's available in what.  I'll tell you if I can find it in stock somewhere, and if not, I'll get a quote to make them.

jv

[StanAmes]

I have been doing a spring upgrade on some other locos and likely have some if you need them.

I buy springs at two sources but unfortunately they are very expensive in small quantities.

Send me an email if you still need them.

Stan Ames