The Great Paper Spring Challenge

[Gil]

Thought I'd try out an idea that's been floating around. Some time ago a request for making a paper spring was made. After a few suggestions the thread died. One comment made in that thread concerned the ability to cut a thin strip in such a manner as to make it curl into the desire spring shape. The technique does work but not in a way that's controllable, repeatable nor predictable. I decided to try using a screw thread coated with bees wax to wind a thin section of paper around it followed by a soaking with thin CA. The paper was then removed from the thread by heating the threaded shaft with a heat gun to melt the beeswax freeing the spring from the threaded shaft (gingerly, gingerly). The result of the first experiment is shown below with additional experimental confetti pieces thrown in for extra effect.

I guess it's time to throw down the gauntlet and challenge the lurking masses to join in on the great paper spring development program...,


+Gil

[GreMir]

Gil,
This is really great!
One question - how do you get rid of the beeswax from the spring? Looks like some of it is still on the paper...........

[Phil]

What if you applied glue to the paper before winding on the thread...once glue is dry simply "unscrew" the paper spring...or is the spring supposed to actually work?

[Lex]

Um... the big question here... Does it really work?

[Gil]

Yep! that's beeswax on the spring (keen observer!). Applying super glue to the paper before applying is a good idea. Only problem is trying to wind a delicate piece of paper around a threaded shaft with wet super glue on it...,

Tried a slightly different tack on the same theme. The threaded shaft was tightly wrapped with a thin strip of plastic wrap. The thinly cut strip of paper was then wound around the shaft in the thread lands with both ends held in place with thinly cut pieces of masking tape. The paper was then soaked with CA and allowed to dry.

The masking tape pieces were removed and then the "spring" by gently grasping it and rotating the threaded shaft. I've made a couple of springs using this method to make sure that it wasn't just luck the first time. The inter coil spacing can be adjusted by mounting the spring on a shaft and stretching it to the desired length and applying heat. It will hold the set when cool. Enjoy the view below...,

+Gil

[GreMir]

This one looks much better but considering the size of this spring, I think I will pass.
This is way beyond my patience :o

[Gil]

Michael, it's the same physical size as the earlier spring. The cross sectional thickness was increased to facilitate handling in the experiment. The following image is the spring shown above heat stretched to a wider pitch...,

+Gil