Will L

It was good you gave it a go Dave, but I still think old dogs and new tricks don't go well together.   Similarly, while I find CSB  simple to do and very effective, your favourite split chassis construction strikes me as anything but keeping it simple.  And I am very aware that trying to adjust individual springs by the "bend it" method is, lets say, inclined to be more problematic than you suggest. 

It very true that to make CSB (or any method) work well means acquiring the necessary skills and knowledge.  Like your problem threading the CSB spring.  There is a simple way of ensuring all the fixed fulcrum points are the same distance from the frames as the ones on the axle bearings.  Do it that way and all the fulcrum points line up nicely and you'll be pleasantly surprised how easily the wire threads through.   Get it wrong and trying to get the wire to zigzag from on end of the chassis to the other can be a bit fiddly. 

I agree your advice to Emma, and I'm always willing to help but I'm much easier to find on the Scalefour forum than here were the are copious (probably rather too copious) words of mine on the subject at http://www.scalefour.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=96&t=3605

Frankly Dave I think your confusing simple with familiar.  Your description of your favoured design doesn't sound overly simple to me, but then I'm not familiar with it.  I wouldn't really expect you to want to change horses at this stage in your building career,  but I think your comments are more to do with an understandable desire not to want to change the habits of a lifetime, than any inherent problems with CSB.