Making a flat spring

[David KParticipant @davidk77137]

I have some 0.3mm spring steel strip , i wish to cut a length approx 100mm long, then bend

it in the middle around a m3 drill to create a flat spring.

My question is , do i bend the steel cold to shape then heat treat it or heat it first and bend it hot.

Thanks

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

If it is currently springy – like a bit of clock spring – you may have difficulty in getting it tempered to anything like the original springiness. Best not to heat at all if it can be avoided.

[GazParticipant @gaz13336]

This video may help you, it is thicker stuff than you’re using but could be worth a watch.

 

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Do you know if you have annealed strip or not? Quite often sold in the annealed state so that it can be bent but if it is not then trying to bend to a 1.5mm radius will likely snap it.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Superb video, Gaz

Thanks for sharing it.

MichaelG.

[old martParticipant @oldmart]

This is where actually trying a test bend on a small offcut would be a good idea. There will be springback around a 3mm mandrel which will mean using a smaller diameter which will increase the likelyhood of cracking, and it may end up needing annealing locally. What is the spring for?

[David KParticipant @davidk77137]

The steel strip is CS100 annealed carbon steel , so i assume it should bend ok.

Once bent into shape do i heat cherry red and quench , then anneal .

Thanks for the video .

[David KParticipant @davidk77137]

Said spring    

[GazParticipant @gaz13336]

You’re welcome Mike!

I really enjoy the Midway USA videos. Whilst I don’t think UK gun laws should be relaxed in anyway, I do wish there was more encouragement to pursue target shooting as a sport. Some of the techniques they use to repair the rifles etc would really suit this hobby.

Best

Gaz

[DiogenesParticipant @diogenes]

Does anyone have heat treatment data for CS100?

 

[David KParticipant @davidk77137]

Made the spring , material turned out to be easy to shape and bend cold.

I have heat treated it and all seems good but will not know for sure until

it has been used some.

Thanks for replies.

[Author]

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