Abstract: A solenoid comprising a housing having a passage extending through the housing, a coil in the housing, a pole piece in the passage of the housing, and an armature mounted in the passage for linear movement along a path toward and away from the pole piece. A nonmagnetic gap is provided between the coil and the pole piece and the armature and a spring urges the armature away from the pole piece. An elongated actuator member is mounted on the armature for movement with the armature. The spring force and the position of the actuator member along the path can be readily adjusted.