Posted January 11th, 2023 at 4:31 pm by Philip Kendall
In this video, Dan explains how to install the new DDM Safe-T-Winder™.
The Safe-T-Winder™
The Safe-T-Winder™ is a new type of winder that winds standard torsion springs without the use of winding bars. A power drill is all you need. This makes it both safer and easier to use than the typical winding method.
Installing the Winder
Start out with the cables and drums loose. Secure the stationary cones of both springs to the center bracket. Stretch out the springs, and secure the winding cones to the shaft.
- To install the current prototype of the Safe-T-Winder™, start by sliding the winder onto the shaft.
- Make sure there is something solid behind the winder to support it and keep it from spinning around.
In the demonstration video, since the winder was so close to the edge of the wood supporting it, Dan screwed in a short piece of angle iron to keep the winder from slipping.
- Once the Safe-T-Winder™ is in place and there is something supporting it from behind, use a 6-mm Allen wrench to tighten the set screws around the wing nut, securing the winder to the shaft.
In order to reach the other set screws, you may need to start winding the springs.
Winding the Springs
To wind springs using the Safe-T-Winder™, the only equipment you need is the winder itself and a power drill.
- First, be sure to mark the shaft so you know how many times it has gone around. Otherwise, you will not know how many turns are on your springs.
- Set the drill to counterclockwise
- If the set screws have not all been tightened, use the winder to turn the shaft and wing nut. Then you can reach the other set screws and tighten them.
So that the winder does not slip, make sure to tighten all three set screws.
- Once all the set screws are tightened, start winding the springs.
Depending on the impact level of your drill, and how many turns the springs need, near the end of the winding process the drill may start to slip.
- If this is the case, increase the impact function on your drill.
In the demonstration video, Dan winds the springs 7¾ turns. For more information, see our blog post about how many turns to wind your torsion springs.
Finishing Up
- Once the full number of turns has been put on the springs, reinstall the door cables.
- Secure the cable drums to the shaft.
- Once the cable drums and cables are secure, you can remove the Safe-T-Winder™ without the springs unwinding on the shaft.
The last step is to check whether the garage door is balanced.
Please use caution any time you are dealing with garage door springs. Although the Safe-T-Winder™ is much safer than winding bars, torsion springs on their own are still dangerous.
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