Hi, All springs have what I call the power portion. If you take a spring out of the barrel it will unwind. Weak springs will unwind less. My standard D spring barely unwound when I replaced it. The strength of a spring is base on it ability to unwind. Even new springs have the weak area, basically when you first install or have a spring that is completely unwound you can wind it until the power portion is wound and it produces enough strength to play a record when it unwinds. If you see a spring the weak area is the inside part that is first wound.
The theory is that if you leave a spring wound it will 'set' and lose strength. I do not know if this is true, but as Dave Dazer points out some springs have set for over half a century and are still strong. I agree with Tom Jordan, if you let the spring unwind until the strong part is unwound you do not face the risk of it coming off the arbor, and even it the theory of spring set is true you are not promoting it. I normally wind my spring enough to play one record as I do not play records that often. If I played records all the time I would fully wind my spring. I know people who have played records for over 8 hours each day until they have worn out the new stylus they put on a DD and the springs still worked good. The largest problems I see with springs are lack of lubrication and new springs not made to specs. If you have any further questions, I am happy to give my opinion. If any one has any further information, I am happy to learn more. Steve > What is the general consensus on leaving your machines wound or unwound > between long periods of non-use? > > I know that there are several thoughts on this, but what is the best > practice? > > Thanks! >
