DDM Garage Doors
Since 1982
How To Measure
DDM Garage Doors
408 Fremont St.
West Chicago, IL 60185
(800) 383-9548
(630) 293-1312
Fax: (630) 293-1526
Home > How To Measure |
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In order to process your order for springs, please provide the following information about each spring:
(1) inside diameter, (2) wire size, (3) spring wind, (4) length, and (5) type of ends. Following the steps below will help in getting the correct dimensions.
 1. Determine the inside diameter. Measure to the nearest 1/16". Check this measurement against any corresponding numbers that may be on the spring plugs. For example, the more common plugs will have "175" for 1 3/4", "200" for 2", "258" or "263" for 2 5/8", etc. Confirm this dimension with the manufacturer of the door if there are any identifying marks on the door.
2. Determine the wire size. This is the thickness of the wire used to shape into a spring. This can be done with a caliper or a micrometer. If you use a micrometer, measure the flat, not the curved, sides of the spring. The wire size you read should match one of the wire sizes below. Another way to measure the wire size is to measure several coils and divide the measurement by the same number of coils measured. To measure, insert the end of the tape measure between the coils or hook it on the end of the spring. Then, count 10 or 20 coils and measure to the point where the 10th and 11th or the 20th and 21st coils meet. The measurement you get will indicate the wire size below. When measuring, make sure all the coils are compressed. If there are gaps between the coils, you will measure incorrectly and order the wrong spring.   3. Determine the spring wind. This is the most confusing part of measuring springs so you will need to be careful. Examine the drawing to the right.
You will notice that when the end of the coil is on the bottom, it points to the left. This is one way to identify the wind. Another way is to put the end of the coil on top and to look at which direction the spring is wound. A right wound spring is wound to the right - clockwise. From the 12 o'clock position, it would go right. A left wound spring goes to the left. 4. Measure the length of the spring. If the spring is unwound, simply measure the length. If the spring is broken, measure and add the two halves. Or, measure one half, and hold the position on the ruler, and start the measurement of the rest of the spring from that position. If the spring is wound, you will need to follow a different procedure. First, determine the number of turns the spring has on it. For each turn on the spring, the spring has grown one coil in length. Some springs are painted or marked with crayons to help the installer keep count of the number of turns. This is one way to determine the number of turns. Another way is to calculate the number of turns. If the door has flat drums like the 400-12 you can usually determine the number of turns by dividing the height of the door in inches by the circumference of the drum in inches, and then adding one turn. If the door does not have flat drums, the procedure gets difficult. The fastest way might be to unwind the spring and count the number of turns. After you determine the number of turns, count off one coil for each turn and measure the remaining length of the spring.  For example the black paint marks on the spring in the drawing above indicate that the spring has seven turns on it. To measure the length of the spring, start at the eighth coil and measure to the other end of the spring. 5. Check the shape of the ends of the spring coil. Most springs have standard ends that are bent out slightly. If the spring you are ordering needs special ends, examine the chart and let us know which type of end it needs. Otherwise, you will receive a spring with standard ends. One final note. There are a few steel rolling curtain doors that use pre-stretched springs. If you are replacing springs inside a rolling door barrel, please check for coil separation and provide that information with the order. Record this information and pass it on to your buyer for us to use when processing your order. This will eliminate any glitches in getting the right springs to you. |
| 408 Fremont St., West Chicago, IL 60185 · Ph: (800) 383-9548 / (630) 293-1312 · Fax: (630) 293-1526 · Send E-Mail |
