Springs vs tubing: could coating even out the differences?

[Mark Hammer]

One will often see various dip-coatings for tools advertised that provide a rubbery surface.

It occurred to me the other day that the concern over microphonics produced by vibrating height-adjustment springs might be addressed by simply dipping the ends of the spring in such coatings, such that they dampen any possible microphonic-producing vibrations. I realize that the simpler solution is to just use the surgical tubing, but if you can't locate, or don't have such tubing, might coating the springs do the trick?

What say you?

[Mike Sulzer]

It occurred to me the other day that the concern over microphonics produced by vibrating height-adjustment springs might be addressed by simply dipping the ends of the spring in such coatings, such that they dampen any possible microphonic-producing vibrations.

Would it not be easier and more effective to dip the entire spring?

[peskywinnets]

Would it not be easier and more effective to dip the entire spring?

No it would be easier to use the internet to source surgical tubing!

[big_teee]

Try using the surgical tubing from StewMac.
I have trouble with it dry Rotting.
Thinking of trying to find some rubber tubing from the Auto Parts store.
It wouldn't be the same color, but might hold up better.
Will let you know what I come up with.
B_T

[Mark Hammer]

Would it not be easier and more effective to dip the entire spring?

You might be right. I just don't know enough about it. Though I would think that having some extra grip at one end might do all the damping you need. I suppose it would also depend on the shape of the springs (conical vs straight), and their length.

[peskywinnets]

While we're on about surgical tubing - does anyone have the actual spec of the stuff sold by the likes of Stew Mac ? (thickness - Outer Dia/Inner Dia)....I might try to source some here in the UK (eg just viewed this ...eBay - The UK's Online Marketplace but it's just under 1/4" outer dia - too thick? )

[big_teee]

The main reason I provide the tubing vs Springs, I never have found a real cheap source for springs.
The Tubing is much cheaper.
Most folks when replacing their pickups, and may already have the springs.
B_T

[peskywinnets]

Me neither...which is why I'm asking about the spec of the surgical tubing (IMHO StewMAc are having a laugh at what they charge for surgical tubing - $1.05 per foot ...GTF!!)...be nice to find an alternative supply (from somewhere that sells it in large quantities!)...StewMAc say there tubing is 1/4" diameter but it's not clear whether that's inside diameter or outside diameter....if the latter then what's the inside diameter (as most reviews on their site say the inside diameter is too small)

[ScottA]

Amber latex 1/4" OD, 1/8" ID, 1/6" wall.

Fits nice and snug over a 6-32 screw.

I've gotten it from McMaster, for $0.80/ft (25 feet +).

If you go for a 50 ft roll, I see it online from medical supply places for as little as $0.40/foot.

[jonson]

Terry store your tubing in sealed poly bag with talcom powder ie: treat it the same as latex rubber molds. It will stay good a lot longer.

[Mike Sulzer]

Terry store your tubing in sealed poly bag with talcom powder ie: treat it the same as latex rubber molds. It will stay good a lot longer.

But what about after it is in the guitar?

[big_teee]

Me neither...which is why I'm asking about the spec of the surgical tubing (IMHO StewMAc are having a laugh at what they charge for surgical tubing - $1.05 per foot ...GTF!!)...be nice to find an alternative supply (from somewhere that sells it in large quantities!)...StewMAc say there tubing is 1/4" diameter but it's not clear whether that's inside diameter or outside diameter....if the latter then what's the inside diameter (as most reviews on their site say the inside diameter is too small)

I have a piece here, and I measured it.
With a number 5 screw stuck in it, it measures just Shy of 1/4 Inch on the Outside.
It's very tight on a Nuber 5 Screw, I bet its really tight on a 6x32.
I am going by the Auto parts house, I'm going to see what they have.
The price isn't too bad considering I cut it into 3/8 inch pieces.
Later,
B_T

[peskywinnets]

I have a piece here, and I measured it.
With a number 5 screw stuck in it, it measures just Shy of 1/4 Inch on the Outside.
It's very tight on a Nuber 5 Screw, I bet its really tight on a 6x32.
I am going by the Auto parts house, I'm going to see what they have.
The price isn't too bad considering I cut it into 3/8 inch pieces.
Later,
B_T

what's a number 5 screw thread width in inches? (then I can do the maths to see what will work in millimetres!) ...also when you speak of 6x32, I'm assuming you mean 6/32"?? (which would be 4.76mm). If so, then the stuff you're all using appears to be similar in spec to the stuff I linked to earlier ( Tubing ) ....inside diameter of 4mm, outside diameter of 6mm (just under 1/4")...works out at 25p (about 45 cents) ) per foot including delivery - sen from Seoul, South Korea!

[big_teee]

what's a number 5 screw thread width in inches? (then I can do the maths to see what will work in millimetres!) ...also when you speak of 6x32, I'm assuming you mean 6/32"?? (which would be 4.76mm). If so, then the stuff you're all using appears to be similar in spec to the stuff I linked to earlier ( Tubing ) ....inside diameter of 4mm, outside diameter of 6mm (just under 1/4")...works out at 25p per foot including delivery - sen from Seoul, South Korea!

Here's a Link I use often.
ANSI External Screw Threads Size & Tolerances Chart - Engineers Edge
Standard External Metric Thread and Fastener Sizes M1.6 - M18 - Engineers Edge
The top is in thousands, the bottom is Metric.
T

[ScottA]

what's a number 5 screw thread width in inches? (then I can do the maths to see what will work in millimetres!) ...also when you speak of 6x32, I'm assuming you mean 6/32"?? (which would be 4.76mm). If so, then the stuff you're all using appears to be similar in spec to the stuff I linked to earlier ( Tubing ) ....inside diameter of 4mm, outside diameter of 6mm (just under 1/4")...works out at 25p per foot including delivery - sen from Seoul, South Korea!

6-32 = #6 screw, 32 threads per inch (the standard nomenclature would be 6-32 x (length))

#6 major diameter is nominally 0.138", which is a nice fit in a 0.125" ID piece of rubber. You need to press them on there, but they stay in place when you install them in a pickguard, which is nice.

6-32 is the historical standard for Strat pickups.

Unified Thread Standard - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia