caliper/divider replacement C-spring

[ckucia]

I'm going through some old tools that need cleaning up.

Have some old spring calipers/dividers that are in very usable condition but the C-spring on the end that tensions the arms is missing. Have them soaking in Evaporust, to get some flash rusting off them, but I didn't see any manufacturer name on them.

Been searching the web hoping to find replacement springs to no avail. I have 3 pair like this that were my grandfather's. Seems if they went missing or broke on him 3x, it would be a pretty common problem to fix.

About the only solution I can come up with is to find some cheap Chinese dividers/calipers of a similar size and use those springs to replace. I don't use these much, but they have sentimental value. You guys know what it's like.

Anyone have a better idea or a source for replacement springs? Is there a specific name for that part that I need to know to locate replacements?

 

[ericg]

I have heard people call them hoop springs. I would call a mfg like Starrett ((978) 249-3551) and see if they have them available.

 

[RTM]

Starrett sells spare parts for their dividers.

Here are dividers they currently offer. Click thru to one about the right size and leg shape (round vs flat), and then go down to parts.

Calipers & Dividers

Calipers & Dividers

www.starrett.com

They call them Bow, and one I looked at was $5.70

Here is a 4" bow for $4.80

00079-0 Bow #73-4

Bow #73-4 <br/><br/>Starrett Part and Repair Information<br/> Parts may be purchased directly from Authorized Starrett Distributors. Use our Distributor finder on starrett.com<br/> Parts may be purchased directly from the Starrett Company using a Visa or MasterCard.<br/> There is a minimum...

www.starrett.com

Helps with shipping to buy more than a few items at a time.

 

[ckucia]

Great! Thank you.

 

[ckucia]

After some cleanup, one of the inside calipers missing the bow spring is a Brown & Sharpe 815. Didn't realize B&S was out of business until I did some googling. The other appears to be a Union - also an 8" but the arms are thinner than the B&S and the spring would need a smaller gap between the arms.

I think the Starrett 73A-8 is going to be a good match for one of the two. Probably get a bow spring ($5.70 + $8.95 handling) after the holiday and see if it will fit one of them.

 

[RandomGagetGuy]

Created a

Starrett sells spare parts for their dividers.

Here are dividers they currently offer. Click thru to one about the right size and leg shape (round vs flat), and then go down to parts.

Calipers & Dividers

Calipers & Dividers

www.starrett.com

They call them Bow, and one I looked at was $5.70

Here is a 4" bow for $4.80

00079-0 Bow #73-4

Bow #73-4 <br/><br/>Starrett Part and Repair Information<br/> Parts may be purchased directly from Authorized Starrett Distributors. Use our Distributor finder on starrett.com<br/> Parts may be purchased directly from the Starrett Company using a Visa or MasterCard.<br/> There is a minimum...

www.starrett.com

Helps with shipping to buy more than a few items at a time.

Created a account just to say thank you I came across a grab box of starrett tools a little bit ago that had a few of the tools with broken springs. I've been looking around for a bit for this exact information....very helpful. Thanks again