Could it be the case that DigiKey and Mouser do not have this kind of part? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: king.oslo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 16, 2013, 10:51:17 pm
content: Hello there,I am looking for a long coil type spring which can go from a board and connect to shielding which is 20mm away.As seen in the picture attached to this post.I have looked everywhere on mouser and digikey. Are anyone able to point me in the right direction so that I can buy a part like this?Please see the attachment.Thank you for your time.Kind regards,Marius

author: niflheimer
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 16, 2013, 10:56:12 pm
content: You probably won't find it in an electronics store- just go to your favorite hardware store and look for a nice nickel plated or stainless steel spring

author: DarrellD
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 16, 2013, 10:59:17 pm
content: MSC has a selection you may be interested in.http://www.mscdirect.com/browse/Motion-Control-Fluid-Power/Shock-Absorbers-Springs/Springs/Extension-Springs?navid=12104477

author: xrunner
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 16, 2013, 11:00:53 pm
content: Quote from: niflheimer on June 16, 2013, 10:56:12 pmRight, for example Harbor Freight Tools has a whole box of little springs like that for $El Cheapo.

author: Falcon69
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 16, 2013, 11:07:38 pm
content: you may be able to find those through Grainger or McMasterCarr

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 16, 2013, 11:14:09 pm
content: Most ballpoint pens will have a suitable steel spring. They come in different shapes and sizes. Free hotel pens is a good source.

author: niflheimer
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2013, 12:33:40 am
content: They make for nice 1ohm sense resistors in a pinch tooJust replace when the smell gets overpowering .

author: king.oslo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2013, 09:48:57 am
content: Thanks guys. It is true that they are in all ballpoint pens (great for prototyping)Thanks for confirming that electroniucs stores dont have this kind of part.Kind regards,Marius

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2013, 10:13:35 am
content: RS does have them in mechanical parts, and I have ordered springs from then ( easier than trying to find locally, as the local manufacturers, while only 1 hour up the highway from me, are not really interested in a part that is only a 10 off) and they came, fitted the specs on the website and most importantly fitted my application. Just had to cut them in half and use, as the length was about double, so worked out cheaper for the application as ejector pin springs.

author: xrunner
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2013, 11:43:38 am
content: Here's another cool vendor that has all kinds of small tools and yes, springs -http://www.micromark.com/

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2013, 03:02:56 pm
content: For stuff like that Keystone electronics may be your best bet.

author: G7PSK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2013, 03:23:17 pm
content: I have used these people on many occasions both for specially wound springs and ready made, I have had as little as one off's made by them for me in the past.http://vincentspringsltd.com/index.html

author: AlfBaz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2013, 03:39:08 pm
content: Can't remember where I picked this up, local hardware store I think. Grab kits I think we call them here

author: king.oslo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2013, 04:03:18 pm
content: AlfBaz, I can get that exact kit locally. Are those nickel plated? Thanks.M

author: AlfBaz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2013, 04:18:46 pm
content: Quote from: king.oslo on June 17, 2013, 04:03:18 pmSorry, the extent of my metallurgical skills is that they are shinny steel springsIf it's any help I just did a 4W ohms measurement of the longest one in the pack 0.25 ohmsOne that looks close to what you're after 0.20 ohms

author: king.oslo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2013, 07:34:58 pm
content: What happens if you try to wet them with solder? Does it flow well? Kind regards, Marius

author: AlfBaz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2013, 11:26:16 pm
content: Can you measure the length and diameter of the one on your board? I'll make sure there's one in the pack that's close to it, cut it, solder some copper wire to each end and re-measure it

author: king.oslo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 18, 2013, 12:12:02 am
content: No no, I found the spring I need elsewhere, but it be good to buy that kit if the springs are nickel plated. If you could kindly check if solder flows well onto the surface of the springs in that kit, I will run out to buy it just to have it in stockThanks.M

author: lowimpedance
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 18, 2013, 12:21:02 am
content: Quote from: king.oslo on June 18, 2013, 12:12:02 amSoldering to nickel, forget it (would probably need a nasty flux, as with stainless steel).

author: lgbeno
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 18, 2013, 02:02:23 am
content: You could also look for copper finger stock from a company like laird.

author: AlfBaz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 18, 2013, 03:21:11 am
content: Quote from: king.oslo on June 18, 2013, 12:12:02 amLike I said before I don't know what material they're made of but I just tried soldering to it with a normal soldering iron at 350 deg C and 60/40 solder... Not a problem

author: king.oslo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 18, 2013, 08:36:35 am
content: Thank youM

author: daedalus
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 19, 2013, 12:10:40 pm
content: you should be able to get battery spring contacts from Digi/farnell that you could use for this.