HELP??
I am new to this.
I am in the midst of doing a spring seat and when I took the cambric off noticed the conical springs are not attached to webbing but a wave like wire. The wire is shapped almost like sagless spring but not so pronouced waves. The waves are just enought to loop into the bottom of the conical spring. Once the springs are connected it is bent up to the top rail where it is fastened. Anyone seen this before and is this something that can be purchased? I thought at first it might have been a spring bar, but it does not seem to be.
Sounds like drop in spring units. They would be factory spec to fit the frame. If they are bad and the frame can hold webbing you can web the base and klinch the springs to the webbing. When these units are made it generally means the factory wanted to save some money or they didn't feel the frame could support the webbing stress. The drop ins place all the stress in a downward motion from the top of the rail instead of pulling the bottoms of the rails toward each other.
So, based on your supply question, the assumption is the spring system youyou discovered is broken? I have repaired these but it depends on the specific problem and is it justified.
For replacement, the webbing option has been offered and can be made to work. Another option, sometimes, is the spring bar system. It might be worth checking out availability of the spring bar idea.
Furniture springing methods are a very varied issue. Sometimes nothing is simple.
Keep digging, your learning.
Doyle