A machinist called to discuss choosing the right spring for his application. He wanted to use two compression springs with a ¾” inside diameter that was 4” long to cushion the towing of a snowmobile behind another snowmobile.
We recommend using a die spring instead. Utility compression springs do not have a controllable inner diameter and a die spring does. The compression value for a die spring (in pounds) would provide a more consistent compression rate and make it less likely to fail under repeated pressure. The die spring will also provide better cushioning between the two snowmobiles.
What type of spring would you have selected for this job?