Tail Wheel Springs

The smallest piano wire I can find is K&S .015 x 36" which is 0. 381mm but model shops appear to only go down to 0.025 inch. I think a visit to the Guitar shop might be the best option, E string (plain) which is 0.254. Then wind it up with hook ends. - will it work? No idea.

Try "Flight Hook" for wire. Their smallest diameter is 0.015". They are suppliers of all sorts of modelling stuff and are based in Totton.

Phil, please re-measure your wire diameter !!!
I don't believe it is as thin as you think, unless its on a micro-plane of some sort !
If it really is only 2 and a bit thou' diameter then I am surprised you can even see it!

Brain Fart I think. :huh: Take off a nought. Try Spring Wire gauge = 0.62mm

Met Kevin today and he came up with an alternative idea and gave me a couple of springs to have a play with. Springs are 25mm long, 6mm dia with loops at each end. Create links to tiller arm, etc, using heavy duty trace wire with a clevis at one end to adjust tension. The springs appear to have the same amount of tension as the originals. Will give it a go at least.

Have never tried it myself, but lots of people have thrown away the springs and are just using fuel tubing and cable ties

Well here is my trial of the earlier idea. Works perfectly! Although if we can get a supply of OEM copies of springs all the better. I think my original spring end probably snapped after a couple of bends when fitting it.


Maybe now I can get back to other maintenance jobs and the Phase 6.