Folding Lid-Spring Question

[clutter-bug]

Hello everyone,

My stove is all together and ready to be attached to the gas line, YEAH!!! Thanks for all your help and encouragement.

AnnT has a stove just like mine, a yellow BZ. She says her lid has two different sized springs holding it up. I am having a terrible time finding a spring in the sizes she told me in a wire thickness that is strong enough to hold up the lid. So my son and I have the lid held up with neodymium magnets (they're super strong).

Anyway, what is your opinion on using one larger spring, and those of you who have one large spring holding up your top, what is the diameter & length of the spring (the coiled part only), and where did you find it?

Many thanks!
~~~Joslyn
Owner of the Yellow Submarine.

[Joe Pieweed]

Joslyn:

The stoves I've worked on all have single springs. I've found suitable replacements at most hardware stores, including Ace. Some closely duplicate the original in guage, coils, etc, and others have been quite different, but do the job quite well.

Now, for your obvious question: "What are some specific springs (make and ID #) of the springs I've purchased?"

I'm embarrased to say that I've not kept records. Try a Hillman Spring # 195 or 190. The original Chambers spring is 5.5" long (not including the two coils at each end bent 90 degrees out to provide "hooks"), and has 86 coils of about 1/2" OD, not sure what the guage is. I've found that as long as the replacement has the same travel and tension, it can be quite a bit different in terms of diameter.

If the Hillmans above don't do the trick, determine if you need more or less tension and select another spring that suits your need.

Good luck.

Joe P.

[Joe Pieweed]

Joslyn:

I've checked and it is indeed the Hillman #195 that is very suitable for the folding cover. As a matter of fact, I just installed one on a B and found it to be superior to anything else I've used.

It is quite a bit larger in diameter from the original, so it looks clunky, but it is just a bit stronger than the original, and holds the folded cover nice and straight and tight up against the backsplash. It should cost you between 3 and 4 dollars.

The end "hooks" are sometimes very open or closed, making it easy or difficult to hook onto the respective attachment points. If it's closed, just use a couple pair of pliers to open it up enough to make it easier to install.

Good luck,

Joe P

[Joe Pieweed]

PS:

The Hillman #195 is 5 7/8" long (not including "hooks"), and has 73 coils with an OD of 3/4". Do not know the guage, though it is significantly thicker than the original Chambers spring, close to twice the thickness.

JP