Steel Guitar Builder

Pat, and anybody else who would be interested or could benefit form this contraption - here is the jig I had made for the tapered springs:
First, a pic of the mandrell with measurements:
I had Gary turn this one for me
Note: It looks way too thin for the purpose, but the spring expands after winding.
(so quit your winding hahaha!)

Next is the jig that holds the "bearing" which in turn holds the thin end of mandrell: Next is the contraption all set up and ready to go: see next post.....

Here the winding has started. I put a 90 degree bend on the wire and stick it into the jaw on the drill. Just make sure you don't pull too hard and pull it out of there. That said, You will have to practice on the right tension, which is fairly high, in order to get a nice even and tight winding. GO SLOW. The drill is turning clockwise. In other words, the wire goes over top of the mandrell.
Finally, the finished spring, with the hook in the other end, as neat as I could get it. I am still very much open to suggestions on how to make a nice looking eye hook here, just like factory. Put yer brains to work, ya hear!
I used the carbon steel wire here. The stainless is obviously the wire of choice, but also costs 5 times as much. I shine up the wire with fine sand paper before winding. Looks good for a while anyway.

Bent,,Tower Hobbies - a remote control store ..sells a pair of pliers that are designed specifically for bending "eyes"..I have a pair that I use in the upholstery shop for rebuilding seat springs..I think they cost around $18.00 or so but they do a good job and hold up well..

Thank you very much Bent for posting this.

Pat C.

Thanks David..I'll check it out.

David,
I looked all over Tower hobbies to no avail. Could you please post the direct link to those "eye bending pliers"
Thanks

Bent...maybe this is what you need

Bent...try this ebay link, i think this would work perfectly

http://cgi.ebay.com/3-STEP-WIRE-LOOPING ... 5ad8388651

Bent I looked on Tower as well and couldnt find these .mine are about 3 years old so they may be discontinued thru them..Pat is showing you exactly what I have..some places like wal mart sells them as Jewelry pliers...Just a thought..

Needle nose pliers would be the most common tool to do this. I checked the internet and came up with this little gadget.
"Go-go Gadget wire tool"

http://www.who-sells-it.com/cy/the-wort ... -7609.html