DIY spring straps

[marchand]

I just made some spring straps and I thought I would share with everyone one the board. Got the idea from scubaboard, but I made what I think is an improvement.

here is what you need

2 - Long Type 302 SS Extension Spring 11" Length, 1/2" OD, .062" Wire Diameter from McMaster Carr
4 - 3/16" SS anchor shackles
4 - #10 x 32 SS socket cap screws
cave line
7/8 OD 5/8 ID vinyl tubing

I tied the line about 2 - 3 inches longer than the springs.

The improvement that i made was using the socket cap screws instead of regular machine screws. The advantage is that they will not strip and need to be replaced. They can also be tightened more that regular machine screws.

I also peened (I believe that is the correct term) the screws so that they cannot back out.

One set costs about $25

[JahJahwarrior]

That looks like twisted line, not braided. If it's twisted, it's not caveline.

I could be wrong though, I'm definitely not thinking about scuba today...

[marchand]

In the pics it is twisted line but cave line will work better, which is why I said to use cave line.

[JahJahwarrior]

Yeah, that twisted line won't work out in the long run. Remind me when I come up for Thanksgiving, I have a few feet of cave line wrapped around a 1# weight in a drawer here...

[robanna]

where did you find the SS anchor shackles?

[marchand]

everything except the springs was purchased at Home Depot.

[IrishSquid]

Dumb question here: What is the cave line inside the spring for?

[CompuDude]

Originally Posted by IrishSquid

Dumb question here: What is the cave line inside the spring for?

Prevents over expansion and acts as a safety net should you manage to break a spring.

Nice job, marchand!

[marchand]

The line inside the spring serves two purposes. The first is to make sure you do not overstretch the spring. The other reason is that just in case the spring breaks the strap will stay behind your heel instead of having two halves of a spring randomly floating near your heel.

I thought of a better alternative to cave line the other day though. You can use some thin stainless or galvanized steel cable. The steel cable will last forever unlike cave line.

[comet24]

Just ordered some springs and anchor shackles. Couldn't find the anchor shackles in the local Home Depot or Lowes. smallest they had was 1/4".