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FAIR SPRING SUPPLIER
- Thread starter zuxy
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Are you looking for a standard/stock spring from a catalog, or are you looking for a custom-designed spring? If it is the former, then perhaps another spring manufacturer like Associated Spring Raymond ( or one of their distributors may be able to accommodate your needs. If it is the latter, good luck. Here is a link for AS Raymond distributors:
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TheTick:
I don't think the purpose of this forum is dispute, however this time I will reply.
I think if supplier claims they stock 300,000 of different springs, they should make them available at no minimum quantity with minimum flat charge that shouldn’t go over $20.
I already found that Century Spring partially satisfies this. No minimum quantity required, flat fee $40. In most of the cases our order will be under $50. As I already mentioned, Lee spring has flat fee $40 but minimum quantity 10 pieces that in most would make our order to around $100. A big difference if we need one or couple springs.
McMaster is the third option, but it is difficult to find required spring. Their selection is so small.
I don't think the purpose of this forum is dispute, however this time I will reply.
I think if supplier claims they stock 300,000 of different springs, they should make them available at no minimum quantity with minimum flat charge that shouldn’t go over $20.
I already found that Century Spring partially satisfies this. No minimum quantity required, flat fee $40. In most of the cases our order will be under $50. As I already mentioned, Lee spring has flat fee $40 but minimum quantity 10 pieces that in most would make our order to around $100. A big difference if we need one or couple springs.
McMaster is the third option, but it is difficult to find required spring. Their selection is so small.
MikeHalloran
Mechanical
I've always found it's cheaper in the long run to just go ahead and buy a bag of springs: 10,20,100, whatever, even if you only need one... because next week you may need another one, and eventually you build up an inventory that satisfies your needs.
You might also considering buying Lee's assortments. The full set covers just about any spring you could ever want.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
You might also considering buying Lee's assortments. The full set covers just about any spring you could ever want.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
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- #7
Mike,
Thanks for advice. Assortiment sounds interesting.
We are custom automation machinery builder and building spring invetory woundn't make sense. We already have nice spring invetory but every application is so different that doesn't help me much.
Thanks for advice. Assortiment sounds interesting.
We are custom automation machinery builder and building spring invetory woundn't make sense. We already have nice spring invetory but every application is so different that doesn't help me much.
MikeHalloran
Mechanical
Yeah, I know every application is different, and everybody wants everything just so.
... But by an odd coincidence that's not really coincidental, if you can't find a close match to your ideal spring in Lee's catalog, then you'd better start your design again, because you're doing it wrong.
I'm not saying there's no need for custom springs, but _all_ of the custom spring applications I've seen, requiring special wire, special tooling, special processing, were custom precisely because some idiot had painted himself into a corner by not selecting a spring before everything else was done.
If you take the trouble to work out your design's needed spring parameters early, and then try to design a good spring to do that job, you'll find that Lee (and the other stock spring houses) got there first, and you don't have to do any detailed design to get a good spring; you just send them a little money, way less than a custom spring would cost.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
... But by an odd coincidence that's not really coincidental, if you can't find a close match to your ideal spring in Lee's catalog, then you'd better start your design again, because you're doing it wrong.
I'm not saying there's no need for custom springs, but _all_ of the custom spring applications I've seen, requiring special wire, special tooling, special processing, were custom precisely because some idiot had painted himself into a corner by not selecting a spring before everything else was done.
If you take the trouble to work out your design's needed spring parameters early, and then try to design a good spring to do that job, you'll find that Lee (and the other stock spring houses) got there first, and you don't have to do any detailed design to get a good spring; you just send them a little money, way less than a custom spring would cost.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
For short run custom springs, most of the cost is in the setup. By the time a machine gets programmed and run, it costs just as much to make 1000 springs as it does to make 1. (p.s. Don't forget heat treat and inspection.)
Larger spring companies with catalogs and inventory make and sell springs by the 10k & 100k. They are not structured for service of Ma & Pa Kettle's onesy-twosey order. By the time they send intern Joe Shmuckatelli to the bins to pick, pack, and ship your order, they've incurred $50 in internal costs.
I suppose you're right, though. Somewhere in The Big Book of What is Fair it says that suppliers should provide products at a loss for those with tight budgets.
Larger spring companies with catalogs and inventory make and sell springs by the 10k & 100k. They are not structured for service of Ma & Pa Kettle's onesy-twosey order. By the time they send intern Joe Shmuckatelli to the bins to pick, pack, and ship your order, they've incurred $50 in internal costs.
I suppose you're right, though. Somewhere in The Big Book of What is Fair it says that suppliers should provide products at a loss for those with tight budgets.
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Mike,
I am not really talking about custom springs. I am talking about springs listed in mfg. catalog. For those springs some mfgs. have min. quantity 10 + $40 min. order fee.
Rarely I need custom spring that I can't find in catalog. In such a case I rather change my design than to mess with custom springs. Lee has good selection, Century even better. Lee has better spring calculator/selection tool then Century so most of the time I use Lee, but his pricing is killing me.
I am not really talking about custom springs. I am talking about springs listed in mfg. catalog. For those springs some mfgs. have min. quantity 10 + $40 min. order fee.
Rarely I need custom spring that I can't find in catalog. In such a case I rather change my design than to mess with custom springs. Lee has good selection, Century even better. Lee has better spring calculator/selection tool then Century so most of the time I use Lee, but his pricing is killing me.
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- #11
Tick,
I guess my point is, if manufacturer is stocking spring I need anyway, why they would charge me all those fees etc. When they refill their stock, they probably do that in 1000 pcs quantity, so selling me 1 or 10 they shouldn't really care.
That book sounds interesting. I'll get one. I believe that statement "that suppliers should provide products at a loss for those with tight budgets" make sense for good business practice.
I guess my point is, if manufacturer is stocking spring I need anyway, why they would charge me all those fees etc. When they refill their stock, they probably do that in 1000 pcs quantity, so selling me 1 or 10 they shouldn't really care.
That book sounds interesting. I'll get one. I believe that statement "that suppliers should provide products at a loss for those with tight budgets" make sense for good business practice.
Zuxy...
Not going to beat around the bush here... I used to work at a sister company of Century Spring, and your complaint is one that is heard every day. Unfortunately, the answer is the same every day.... deal with it... or move one. As The Tick said, they like to deal with the 10K orders... not the 10 orders... You are more a pain and waste to them than anything. You should be lucky you could even get parts half the time, especially when I know many of them are trying to save money and eliminate the low runners.
So... quit whinning, and pony up the dough like everyone else.
Sorry to sound harsh, but this is a nerve for me. I got so sick of hearing these complaints.... Eventually your patience goes and you tell them to pound sand.
Not going to beat around the bush here... I used to work at a sister company of Century Spring, and your complaint is one that is heard every day. Unfortunately, the answer is the same every day.... deal with it... or move one. As The Tick said, they like to deal with the 10K orders... not the 10 orders... You are more a pain and waste to them than anything. You should be lucky you could even get parts half the time, especially when I know many of them are trying to save money and eliminate the low runners.
So... quit whinning, and pony up the dough like everyone else.
Sorry to sound harsh, but this is a nerve for me. I got so sick of hearing these complaints.... Eventually your patience goes and you tell them to pound sand.
OHSpringGuy
Mechanical
CENTURY SPRING in Ca will sell you what ever you need. Good luck.
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