SpudFiles

is it possible to wind a thin welding steel rod around a bigger rod with a hammer, and then heat and cool it repeatedly and rapidly many times, and result in a good spring? if it wears out, i'll just heat and cool it again.

so? is it possible? i dont wanna buy and i dont want to look for memory steel.

My ace has 1 1/2 to 1/8 compression springs. If you have a ace or some hardware storelike ace check it out. I myself have made springs before they work but not as good as the real ones and there all black from the torch. If you decide to make your own dont hammer it around bend it with a pleirs or something similar. Also try to keep the distance between the springs the same for performance and looks.

my hardware store only has stretching springs.

What purpose do you need a compression spring for? If so, there's a tutorial somewhere on the net how to make your own springs. Some guy made his out of coat hanger wire, a bit stiff but it worked.
I'll get the link to you when I find it.

freefall pointed me in that direction. but r there any other ways? i thought of using a pocket of air, but i cant unless i have a slow and constand feed.

OF COURSE!! PENS!! i'll need a bunch though... plus, it might get expensive and wasteful

http://home.earthlink.net/~bazillion/compression.html

Is this the site?

Like Drac said it would help to know what you were going to use the springs for. I used two compression springs for a recoil on my sniper rifle. Here is a link to my gun http://www.spudfiles.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=745 Go to the third picture down. You could just use slip joints and pump them up with air.