Thread: Fixing drill press spring return

Try a large hose clamp. Place the spring in the middle and tighten the hose clamp. Have another smaller hose clamp open slightly larger than the minimum you can squeeze the large one down to so you can push the spring into that, then continue to wind down the second hose clamp etc. You use a pair of narrow nose pliers to give it a "jiggle" now and then to keep the spring contracting. Saw my Uncle use that method.
Another method was a T bar made out of reo rod with a slit.

Thanks heaps. The hose clamp idea sounds like what I was looking for

Cheers
Arron

I managed once - and only once - to put such a return spring back by pliers. I hooked the outer hook into the slot, then wound the rest in bit by bit in a sort of spiral motion, until the centre hook - and therefore all of the spring was inside. The outside receiver was however a cast part of the drill press and stayed still easily! A t-bar with slot works fine, as long as the outside receiver can't move.

Its broken. There should be a hook on the outer end also

Cheers Phil

Originally Posted by 12bolts

Its broken. There should be a hook on the outer end also

Cheers Phil

There is a hook on the outer end. Maybe it's just not clear in the photo.

I am wondering if the inner end is maybe broken, though ?

Currently it's sitting in my garage in the third size-iteration of hose clamp, waiting for me to buy the fourth. The process is working.

Cheers
Arron

Have a look at Clickspring's last video where he makes a spring for his clock and does exactly what you want to do

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T28sGA597IE