The Framers Forum

......... an' I'm still rollin' along!

I bust one of the springs on my Morso the other day, well it seems like the other day but it's got to be a month ago at least. I have a spare pair, all greased up, wrapped and boxed, but they are somewhere in the depths of my garage, which used to be my workshop and the light's are out, (as in not working) so with these dark nights it's a torch job, just tried that - not a go-er, needs 2 hands - or a Sunday, or an afternoon off, but I keep forgetting.

It's not been a problem yet - in fact I quite like the 'dampened' effect that just one spring has - the blades come up ever so gently, just not as far; no risk of 'Morso shin rash'

I suppose if I need to chop a wide moulding, especially with a high front, it will be more of a problem, but when I've had to chop mouldings that the blades will now not clear under their own steam, I just lift the pedal with my toe - incorporating that action in to the Morso Dance. If I had another workstation, with either another Morso or a double mitre saw, I'd keep this one just how it is.

You need to get those new springs on NOW, if you carry on using it the remaining spring will break as all the weight of the cutting head is now been supported by only one spring and the blades will drop all the way down - suddenly.
Count your fingers - hopefully you've still got ten, if you carry on you may have one less soon.

Mark

It's OK - I've sorted it - hooked a bungee from the back of the blade housing to a beam in the ceiling.

The tought occurs......

Most tension springs are made of spring steel wire which is surface hardened. If that thin surface hardening gets a crack or wear mark in the coiled end parts, it may break right there, as Mark says, without warning.

To minimise the risk, make sure that the 'eye' that the end loop of the spring passes through is as smooth as possible. Use some fine emery paper to smooth it. Then, put a little oil or grease on the contact surfaces every now and then.

Springs rarely break along their length.

Guess what?

I'm STILL working with just one spring (so's the Morso )

But today I retrieved the new pair from my garage - (other brand new spares in that box too, like the spring that goes in the sliding measuring scale - on older models that is) really would have done that sooner but there were a pair of doors in the way and I couldn't be bothered to move them out of the way.

The doors finally had to be moved - they were a duplicate order - here's the story http://www.thegrumble.com/showthread.php?t=25294 but now we are having them fitted in front of our workshop roller shutter to eliminate draughts and allow some daylight (no windows in workshop) Plus the filled in bit on one side is a perfect place to re-site my dartboard - not good where it is - the PC monitor & keyboard have taken a few hits from bounce-outs - that's one thing, but when my framer is sitting there plotting a mount, it's another!

I'll have to put both the new ones in - can't be doing with one over-worked one with a brand new one. I still won't fit them until I have to though - like when the other snaps or when I have to cut a moulding with a high front. Guess I'll have to know where to get a new spare set then won't I - wonder how much a new set costs and who stocks them, bar Morso. Lion? Axminster?

I wonder if with new springs the blades will slide back up without having to be pulled back each stroke

I don't want to be the prophet of doom and I debated whether to say this, however I say it as a picture framer rather than a lawyer and I hope you will receive this comment in the spirit that it is intended, ie to be helpful and not to preach, here goes:

The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 applies to you. This imposes on you a duty to maintain and keep maintained in safe working order any machinery you use in your business. If an employee is using your Morso when the other spring breaks and cuts off a finger etc. (as wiser contributors than me suggest might happen) you are heading for a trip to the Courts and a seriously big fine + a civil court action for compensation. I say this based on my experience of 30+ years working in a law office (now retired), personally I would fit those springs asap.

See http://www.hse.gov.uk

You're right of course; thanks for the reality check, will fit the new springs tomorrow - with the blades removed.