Question About Spring Tension and Compression Issue with Quick Extender Pro

Hello,

I’ve been using the Quick Extender Pro (QEP) for about two months, and I’m approaching the advanced period where my erect length is now matching the uncompressed length of the device. During these two months, I’ve noticed that the springs have not been compressed at all, and all three notches at the bottom of the rods remain visible.

At this point, I’m wondering if, for the device to work as intended, the springs should be slightly compressed when wearing it to ensure sufficient tension is applied. Specifically, should one or two of the notches be hidden for optimal tension, or is it okay for the springs to remain completely uncompressed?

As a test, I added the maximum number of rods that the device allows while still being able to strap it on. This equals approximately my Bone Pressed Erect Length (BPEL) + 1 cm. However, when I release the compression on the springs, they almost immediately return to their fully uncompressed state.

It seems that the spring tension is so strong that it overpowers the counterbalance mechanism (the noose or strap). As a result, the strap retracts toward my body because the spring force is so great. This occurs even when I strap very tightly, which is beginning to feel excessive for my glans to handle over the long term.

For your reference, I have both the 3500g and 4000g springs, and this issue occurs with both sets.

Can someone please confirm if I’m using the device correctly and share your thoughts on the following:
Should the springs be slightly compressed for proper use?
Is it normal for the springs to return to their uncompressed state so easily under the current settings?
Could the strong spring tension be interfering with the function of the strap? If so, what is the best way to resolve this issue?
Thank you for your help and guidance. I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

There are a number of threads discussing this in the penis extenders forum. Have you read any of them?

Yes, I’ve read almost everything I can find on the topic, but I still haven’t found a conclusive answer. Several people argue that the correct use involves having the springs compressed, but at the same time, I’ve seen others complain about the same issue I’m experiencing — being unable to keep the rods compressed after strapping on the device. I came across someone with the same problem who bought different/weaker springs online, which allowed them to use the device while compressed, but that was the only case I found where this was done, and I didn’t see any reports on their results afterward. Also, I can’t seem to find anything in QEP’s official literature about the notches or whether the correct use includes keeping the device compressed. Consequently, I’m not sure when compression should gradually become a part of the usage — maybe at the beginning of the Advanced Period, when BPEL/BPFSL correspond to the uncompressed device length or slightly over that?

I should also mention that I haven’t tried any modifications, like cutting parts to make strapping on easier. Instead, I simply push against the side of the door with my body, which allows me to strap it on while using both hands. This method seems effective enough, as I’m able to stretch to my BPFSL and keep the device fully compressed — or is it? There are also suggestions to unscrew the rods, but from what I’ve tried, this doesn’t help either. The spring tension feels too strong, so it doesn’t feel right to push it any further. When I tried to stretch to my BPFSL/BPEL + 1cm (approximately), and even unscrewing the rods a bit, my shaft felt EXTREMELY stretched and tense. At that point, my glans became purple within minutes. I should note that I’m also wearing a silicone sleeve and a rubber O-ring (I’ve switched to smaller sizes for a better grip), wrapped with the original silicone tubing, and I apply heat for 5-10 minutes beforehand. Still, at that point, the springs were almost completely uncompressed.

I’m also wondering if there are older and newer models of the QEP — some with notches and some without them? I’ve seen pictures of QEPs without notches, but I’m not sure if I’m seeing that correctly. At this point, I’m also wondering if my QEP might be defective in some way. I can’t push all the way down to cover the third notch — the furthest I can get it is just over the second notch. If I try to push it any further, I fear I’ll break it. What makes me think it might be defective is that initially, they sent me the device with some parts missing, like the manual, the DVD, and the original silicone tubing. They later sent me an extra package that included everything that was missing, plus some extra items as a way of apology/reconciliation — like extra rod add-ons and 4000g springs.

All in all, it feels extremely difficult (almost impossible) to have the springs compressed while wearing the device. I’m hoping for a conclusive answer on this. I’ve also reached out to QEP support with the same questions.

I’m unfamiliar with your extender, but in general, springs need to be compressed to insure you are keeping tension on your penis. If you find it extremely uncomfortable to wear while springs are compressed, and your glans is not strapped in too tight, then a lighter set of springs is probably needed.

If the springs are not compressed all that is impacting your penis is the weight of the extender, i.e., a very ineffective glans weight.

You can sometimes find workable springs at a hardware store. You might have to cut them down to the correct length.

In my opinion, a softer spring that maintains tension over the range between extender-up and extender-down is more useful than a stiff spring with a range of "not doing anything" to "too much."

Get softer springs. The team behind the original JES extender, found out by research, that the " sweet spot" for extension under time, were with springs that were up to 1500 grams ( and the extender gave us the option of tracking marker- lines that indicated 600/900/1200/1500 grams of traction). That gave us the ability to wear the extender in hours every day without having to " choke our penis to death". I have never understood the need for springs up to 4000 grams, but I guess that people think that gains will come faster. Shorter sessions have to be the result with such strong springs, and in my opinion, counterproductive.

Search for springs online, or at a hardware shop.

Funny you should mention that norwegian wood, because I was actually eyeing the JES Extender just this morning.

Here’s the response I received from QEP’s support, in case it might be helpful to someone else:

"Dear sir,

These notches only indicate if the device is in a compressed state to strap in (two notches covered), and released for decompression (toward all notches showing). The device will not remain in a compressed state while worn.

Traction is set by first adjusting the length of the device according to the custom user size (the guide for this is in the above PDF). A common mistake is users may unscrew the knurled nuts at the bottom, ensure you are not doing this and that they are screwed tightly to the base.

Tension is gradually added over time as you complete the adaptation period, and rods are successively added to the device overtime in accordance with one of the training programs in the instructional pdf. When wearing the device, place the device in a compressed state, stretch the penis with your fingers to fit in the pre-set loops (a bedding of cotton gauze may help with grip, pinching and slippage). Tie the silicone tubes at the back with a loose knot, and release compression. This will apply a stretch to your penis in the duration of the training. Expect the adaptation period to not have any significant stretching, and expect tension to be greater as your natural growth potential intersects with the rate of added extensions to the device overtime. This means that tension will become greater the longer you use the device.

This means the longer you adhere to the training and as your device extension length begins to correspond to your bodys stretched flaccid penile length (roughly your erect length), the device will be in a more and more semi-compressed state when equipped."

I take this to mean that the semi-compressed state comes later in the training process. However, I’m still not entirely convinced that it’s been thoroughly considered as part of the program, especially since you can’t unscrew the knurled nuts at the bottom, as you can with the JES Extender. It seems to me that extenders like the JES, which emphasize the use of tracking lines and softer springs, are designed with more precision in mind in terms of compression. In contrast, the QEP seems to rely on stronger springs and only provides a general schedule, like “add X mm every two weeks,” without much emphasis on compression.

For now, I’ll stick with the QEP and use it as intended, since I’ve gained about 0.5 cm, which could be due to improved EQ, though I’m not sure. If I don’t see any further gains in the next month or two, I may switch to a compression-focused extender like the JES, rather than trying to modify the QEP, which doesn’t seem to prioritize compression as a core feature. I’ve also found some instructional QEP clips that suggest, by design, you can’t push past the second notch, so you only have two notches to work with anyway.