Dave and Brett,

Online Metals seems to have discontinued the main spring thickness of 0.12",
and only lists a 0.16" thickness now.

The 2.5" x 3.0" x 1/4" thick aluminum angle "L" bracket is also
discontinued.  The nearest size is 3" x 3" x 1/4" thick.

The above are just cursory notes.

Just for design thought fun....I'd almost think that a extruded
aluminum (capital I) beam could potentially work at least for the main
spring rear spring clamp on the one flat side...and then it crosses over to
the other upright flat side...which with a
added square piece attached to that upright flat top side (either in or
outside) would provide a flat area for the smaller horizontal pivot
spring.  The (capital I) beam could ~ eliminate the presently used support
square upright pieces on the base.  Of course the (capital I) beam would
still have to anchored to the base plate.   Conversely, a (selected size) I
beam could also be upright with front and rear end plates added...and
henceforth..but may not be suitable as such.  Of course the various sizes
probably wouldn't fit the dimensions presently used without adding other
"adjustment" pieces.  Obviously, Online metal can cut to length (+- 1/8") at
a reasonable added piece cost.  Suspect you folks may have
already pondered such.  True, it probably wouldn't look "professionally
made"; but if it reduces costs and works just
as well; it might well be worth considering such.

Any possibility of a "sneak peek" at the new untried smaller length
size...I'am having a time visualizing such?

Take care, Meredith





On Sat, Aug 15, 2009 at 7:43 PM, Dave Nelson  wrote:

>  Hi Meredith.
>
> The spring is cut to width on my personal shear and heat treated in the
> home oven in the automatic cleaning mode.  The heat treat significantly
> increases the yield strength. The temperature is just right as measured with
> a thermocouple. The width for the instrument pictured is 16 mm and thickness
> is 12 mils.  (Sorry for the mixed units -- our European friends will think
> we can't  make up our minds )
>
(snip)

>
>
> The overall size of the basic mechanism exclusive of the case is 4.5 x 9.5
> inches. I have a new (untried) design which will be 4.5 x 5 inches in a
> somewhat different configuration which may allow for  buoyancy compensation.
>  The new design is also easier to build or at least that is the goal.
>
>
> Regards, Dave
>
>
>
>
>
Dave and=A0Brett,
=A0
Online Metals seems to have discontinued the main spring thickness of =
0.12", and only lists a 0.16" thickness now.
=A0
The 2.5" x 3.0" x 1/4" thick aluminum angle "L&quo=
t; bracket is also discontinued.=A0 The nearest size is 3" x 3" x=
 1/4" thick.
=A0
The above are just cursory notes.
=A0
Just for design thought fun....I'd almost think that a extruded al=
uminum=A0(capital I)=A0beam could potentially work at least for the main sp=
ring=A0rear spring clamp on the one flat side...and then it crosses over to=
 the other upright flat side...which with a

added square piece attached to that upright flat top side (either in o=
r outside) would provide a flat area for the smaller horizontal pivot sprin=
g.=A0=A0The (capital I) beam could ~ eliminate the presently used=A0support=
 square upright pieces on the base.=A0 Of course the (capital I) beam would=
 still have to anchored to the base plate.=A0=A0 Conversely, a (selected si=
ze) I beam=A0could also=A0be upright with front and rear end plates added..=
..and henceforth..but may not be suitable as such.=A0 Of course the various =
sizes probably wouldn't fit the dimensions presently used without addin=
g other "adjustment" pieces.=A0 Obviously, Online metal can cut t=
o length (+- 1/8") at a reasonable added piece cost.=A0 Suspect you fo=
lks may have

already pondered such.=A0 True, it probably wouldn't look "pr=
ofessionally made"; but if it reduces costs and works just
as well; it might well be worth considering such.
=A0
Any possibility of a "sneak peek" at the new untried smaller=
 length size...I'am having a time visualizing such?
=A0
Take care, Meredith
=A0
=A0
=A0

=A0
On Sat, Aug 15, 2009 at 7:43 PM, Dave Nelson <davefnelson@.......> wrote:



Hi Meredith.
=A0
The spring is cut to width on my perso=
nal shear and heat treated in the home oven in the automatic cleaning mode.=
=A0 The heat treat significantly increases the yield strength. The temperat=
ure is just right as measured with a thermocouple. The width for the instru=
ment pictured is 16 mm and thickness is 12 mils.=A0 (Sorry for the mixed un=
its -- our European friends will think we can't=A0 make up our minds )=
=A0


(snip)


=A0
=A0=A0
The overall size of the basic mechanis=
m exclusive of the case is 4.5 x 9.5 inches. I have a new (untried) design =
which will be 4.5 x 5 inches in a somewhat different configuration which ma=
y=A0allow for=A0 buoyancy compensation. =A0The new design is also easier to=
 build or at least that is the goal. 

=A0
=A0
Regards, Dave 
=A0
=A0
=A0
=A0