Hi All
Please take extra care spring making on the lathe. Old hands know this but if you are a beginner……
Be absolutely sure that you cannot get any part of your body in between the wire and the machine while it is turning. even twenty thou .020" piano wire has a breaking strain of 116 pounds 52kg But the strength is only part of the story…. being so thin it will behave just like an old fashioned wire cheese cutter, a very effective knife…..
And it it does let go or break the flying end can do serious damage. wear eye protection. and keep your fingers out of range, sometimes it will break while you are winding, if you are guiding it with your fingers the broken end can be razor sharp. The only safe way to do it is with a jig mounted on the toolpost. Hands off.
Regards
John