Contact screws / front springs

[Inkster]

Since reading all the tuning posts I have started to look at my machines closer now, a couple of questions I have if you don't mind. The point that the contact screw touches the front spring, I presume that the "flat" of the contact screw touches so more area of the screw touches the spring rather than the edge of the screw touching the spring, am I right? I have two machines in front of me now from different manufactures both been adjustable between liners and shaders. Both machines run really nice and smooth with no problems, one has a slightly longer spring than the other but not like a cut back liner, both contact screws touch in roughly the same place just that like I said one front spring is slightly longer so the tip of the spring is not used. My second question regarding springs, is it better to purchase ready bent front springs than purchasing flat springs that you have to bend yourself.

[Unnerving]

If you use a contact point on your front spring, flat. If not you can angle it, I set my contact screw,on my shaders, as far forward as I can on the front spring, Move it just a little back on my liners. Forward=softer hitting. Backwards=harder hitting. It is all in your personal preference.

[Unnerving]

Oh and if your not used to bending your own springs buy them already bent their cheap enough.

[JosephBigBear]

SO what would you say causes the front spring to have a burn mark in it where the contact screw meets the front spring? And how often is the normal you should have to change the front spring?

[thew750]

If you notice some black marks on your spring, Use a pencil eraser to clean it up. It's just srom small sparks between your contact screw and the front spring. If your machine runs well you have nothing to worry about. If it causes stutters, try adjusting your machine.

To answer your question, it depends on the springs, and how you have your machine set up. I have had springs that lasted for years, and springs that were trash in a couple of months.

Sorry to be of no help here, but that's the best I can answer you.

[Unnerving]

Keep your contact screw nice and clean. File them when their looking black and re-tune your machines. This will cutt down on your springs pitting to soon. I change my springs before they pit to much. Every 6 mos or so. But as long as their is no hole in your spring your good. I change them before they get that serious, though. Keeping em nice and clean makes for better contact and less spark.

[odisius]

i recently changed my machines over to sterling contact screws with a rounded nose and man what a difference it made they run better and the rounded nose isnt as hard on the springs and they seem to run longer without having to stop and clean the contacts.