Making Flat Springs for Old LocksI

[jviss]

I have several old locks in my house with broken flat springs. I can't find the right stock in small pieces, and I don't want to spend $42 plus shipping for a 25' long piece! So, I was thinking, what else could I salvage.

It turns out I have a few old, broken band saw blades. i am pretty sure this is the same stuff, 1095, that flat springs are often made from.

What do you think? I'll try to snap off a useable piece, anneal it, cut and shape it, bend it to form, and then harden it.

jv

[billdeserthills]

Seems like the band saw blade would work, I also see metal strapping used on wooden pallets that is made from spring steel. In the past I have substituted a coil spring for a flat steel spring in an old lever lock that was much smaller than your full-size mortise lock & far as I know it is still working

[jviss]

Seems like the band saw blade would work, I also see metal strapping used on wooden pallets that is made from spring steel. In the past I have substituted a coil spring for a flat steel spring in an old lever lock that was much smaller than your full-size mortise lock & far as I know it is still working

Ah, yes! Thank you. I wonder where I might get some of that metal strapping?

[GWiens2001]

Be aware that the metal strapping is thinner than the band saw blades.

Gordon

[Raymond]

Go to an auto junk yard and find a seat belt retractor. Look for a throwaway without the belts. Taken apart you will find some very nice, larger, stainless spring steel. I think it is too thick for shims and too thin for picks but might be just right for springs. It will have to be cut to size.

The band saw blade will work as described. Also try the thin electrical or plumbing fish lines usually sold in discount stores. They are very thin for the implied purpose but can make good springs. Also try the tines from grass rakes. And don't forget street sweeper brushes. For a wider spring use two bristles. And in reply to a previous note, check your city street sweeper maintenance facility for take offs.

[jviss]

Go to an auto junk yard and find a seat belt retractor. Look for a throwaway without the belts. Taken apart you will find some very nice, larger, stainless spring steel. I think it is too thick for shims and too thin for picks but might be just right for springs. It will have to be cut to size.

Also try the thin electrical or plumbing fish lines usually sold in discount stores. They are very thin for the implied purpose but can make good springs.

I have some, I think it's too thick for the springs I need to make; but, I'll measure it. Thanks!

Also try the tines from grass rakes.

Good one! I have a couple of those rakes, but I prefer my newer, plastic one.

[demux]

I was going to suggest street sweeper bristles, but metal rake tines is a good one. I'll need to keep that in mind. Metal banding from pallets is often not terribly springy, at least the stuff I encounter. I'm not sure if it's mild steel or if it can be heat treated to make it springy. I have a bunch sitting in the bottom of my tool box, I'll have to try it next time I'm bored.

[kindacreeky]

I am making flat springs for a car restoration project. I researched this subject at length. You can buy small pieces (like 8x12) of C1075 sheet steel from McMaster Carr. It is already annealed, so you form it up and then heat treat it. Not too expensive either.

[jviss]

I am making flat springs for a car restoration project. I researched this subject at length. You can buy small pieces (like 8x12) of C1075 sheet steel from McMaster Carr. It is already annealed, so you form it up and then heat treat it. Not too expensive either.

Thanks! Is that the preferred alloy for springs?