Testing spring loads - interesting results

I had an idea to test the load of a spring combo using a length of PVC and some weights so I went about testing all the springs I had lying around. I found that most of my results sounded about right, the TS spring was roughly 5KG and my TS+LS+Recon combo was about 11KG. I also tested two NF springs, one 1st gen and one I bought today. The 1st gen spring had a load of (roughly) 2.5Kg while the new spring had a load of 3.75KG.

My testing rig is pretty simple (Just putting weights onto the springs) and I have no maths behind my results so I'm certainly not saying these figures are correct but I'm interested to see if anyone else had something to add that I might have missed. The Longshot Spring which is commonly known to have a load of 2.5KG actually had a load of nearly 4KG. Again, I'm not sure that this is correct but all my others tests seemed to be accurate. I'd like to get my hands on a spring with a definite load to test my rig against but unfortunately I don't. (Maybe someone else can give it a shot?)

I'm thinking I might have missed something resulting in these unusual results but I can't imagine what. Anyone got something to add?

Actually,

I'd say you're pretty much on the right track.

While I don't claim to be a "springologist" I can offer a few points:

One point often missed is at what stage of compression do they claim the load rating?

ie, is a Longshot spring 14kgs when fully compressed to solid height (fully squashed) or when it reaches the compression length that it would reach when actually installed in a (cocked) longshot plunger tube?

Are you supporting the spring with something (conduit, broomstick, etc) up the center?

This would make it easier to load it up.

I would say a standard LS spring is more likely to be 4 than 2.5 kg, but I have no research to back that up as I don't bother with standard springs.

That sounds interesting. Do you have any 'apparatus' picture for this?

Here's just a few pictures, please excuse the terrible quality.



Stock Longshot with 3.75KG



Stock TS with 6.25KG



Gen 1 and new NF spring



Gen 1 NF spring with 2.5KG



New NF spring with 3.75KG


Interestingly, it turns out that the new Nf springs are actually better than the Gen 1's.

I actually have a notebook somewhere with load test ratings at 1/2, 3/4 and solid as well as all other specs on each spring. My rig was just the bathroom scales and my hand.
If I can find said notebook I'll post my results

Some nice work there Unknown.

And, some pretty inventive thinking. Keep it up!!

Cheers,

Yeah, I always thought the new NF springs were quite beefy.