Hi James,

My wild Imagination says it might even be tough baling wire (ha); but of
course I don't really know.

Heres another flat hinge spring source material scenario you could consider
(assuming you will replace such).  It involves
automotive and/or machinist feeler/thickness gauge sets.  I've not actually
checked; but one could assume the likelyhood
that chains like Autozone, etc., will have these readily on hand.  They
usually come in ~ muliple sizes "leaves" of different
size thicknesses (usually marked thereon with the size thickness thereon).
They are stacked and anchored at one end, and can be
extended outward per each size.  They range ~ from one thousandth or so inch
thick upward to roughly 20 thousandth of
a inch thick.  I think they are usually cheap per each set; I just saw
Amazon.com, with sellers offering such at around
$3.60...but the sticker is; the high ~$6 shipping.  Obviously if you buy
locally, its alot cheaper.  Anyway, you would need
two sets of such to get two same sizes of whatever you use.  Drill out the
rivot anchor/s, and then you have all manner of sizes to
explore as hinges for your vertical.  Of course; nowadays, they could also
be marked as metric, or even both ways thereon.

Actually, I think they are tougher and much less prone to "aquiring"
accidental bent areas in them, than phosphur bronze or even
tempered blue spring stock/coil/shim.   You will still have to use a hand
shear tool and reduce the widths; and a followup hand file
to get rid of the burrs along the cut edge.

I suppose they could be rather a ideal thickness variety set for any amateur
seeking to build their own vertical hinges.

What size to initially try/use (?)....my guess is anything between 0.005 and
0.010' thick.

You might anticipate that your present wire probably gouged into the
aluminum clamp surfaces.  Check and lightly file it flat if
necessary.

Take care, Meredith


On Thu, Aug 21, 2008 at 10:37 AM, JAMES ALLEN  wrote:

>  Hello Meredith, Dick, Chris  I rechecked the wire hinges coming from
> mine.  I do not have a micrometer, but there is one wire per hinge (black)
> which is relatively rough and not shinny like piano wire but just as
> springy.  I suppose it is steel wire and smaller in diameter than that used
> for a paper clip.  Now, I am beginning to under stand that this must not be
> original to the unit and should be a flat flexible hinge instead.  Perhaps
> that is the reason I have been having so much trouble getting the
> seismometer boom to remain centered.
> James Allen
>
Hi James,

My wild Imagination says it might even be tough baling wire (ha); but of course I don't really know.

Heres another flat hinge spring source material scenario you could consider (assuming you will replace such).  It involves

automotive and/or machinist feeler/thickness gauge sets.  I've not actually checked; but one could assume the likelyhood
that chains like Autozone, etc., will have these readily on hand.  They usually come in ~ muliple sizes "leaves" of different

size thicknesses (usually marked thereon with the size thickness thereon).  They are stacked and anchored at one end, and can be
extended outward per each size.  They range ~ from one thousandth or so inch thick upward to roughly 20 thousandth of

a inch thick.  I think they are usually cheap per each set; I just saw Amazon.com, with sellers offering such at around
$3.60...but the sticker is; the high ~$6 shipping.  Obviously if you buy locally, its alot cheaper.  Anyway, you would need

two sets of such to get two same sizes of whatever you use.  Drill out the rivot anchor/s, and then you have all manner of sizes to
explore as hinges for your vertical.  Of course; nowadays, they could also be marked as metric, or even both ways thereon.


Actually, I think they are tougher and much less prone to "aquiring" accidental bent areas in them, than phosphur bronze or even
tempered blue spring stock/coil/shim.   You will still have to use a hand shear tool and reduce the widths; and a followup hand file

to get rid of the burrs along the cut edge.

I suppose they could be rather a ideal thickness variety set for any amateur seeking to build their own vertical hinges. 

What size to initially try/use (?)....my guess is anything between 0.005 and 0.010' thick.


You might anticipate that your present wire probably gouged into the aluminum clamp surfaces.  Check and lightly file it flat if
necessary.

Take care, Meredith
  

On Thu, Aug 21, 2008 at 10:37 AM, JAMES ALLEN <jcallen1@...........> wrote:








Hello Meredith, Dick, Chris  I rechecked the 
wire hinges coming from mine.  I do not have a micrometer, but there is one 
wire per hinge (black) which is relatively rough and not shinny like piano wire 
but just as springy.  I suppose it is steel wire and smaller in diameter 
than that used for a paper clip.  Now, I am beginning to under stand that 
this must not be original to the unit and should be a flat flexible hinge 
instead.  Perhaps that is the reason I have been having so much trouble 
getting the seismometer boom to remain centered.  
James Allen