When it is desired to wind a spring with the coils spaced a uniform distance apart, a simple method is to use a former or guide, made of wire which is as thick as the space desired, between the coils. The accompanying cut shows how this is done. The guide consists of a few coils which are spaced the requisite distance apart, and one end of the wire projects outward tangentially. The spring is then wound on the arbor between the turns of the guide. As the wire is fed on the arbor it is crossed over the extending end of the guide, in the manner shown, so that it presses inward against the coils of the former. As the arbor is turned the guide is automatically fed along the arbor, and the coils of the spring are uniformly spaced by the coils of the former.

Fig. 77 - How to wind a spaced coil spring.

Another Method Of Making A Coil Spring

Get a metal rod the same diameter as the spring desired; drill a hole near the end to admit the end of the wire. Give the wire two or three turns around rod, spacing the turns according to the desired pitch. Clamp it between two blocks of hard wood in a vise, having the rod in the direction of the grain of the wood. Revolve the rod by means of a monkey wrench fitted on the flattened end of the rod. The wire will follow in and wind a spring as true and perfect as though it had been wound with a lathe.

Fig. 78 - A simple method for making a coiled spring.