New Member

[Jon H]

Hello Group
Just joined up. My name is Jon Hintz. I live in Champlin MN
I have a Craftsman 6" lathe and a Sherline mill. My primary interst is in Miniature Weapons. I am a novice builder for several years now.
A question for the group.
Does anyone know how to make small (very small) flat springs? These would be used as a hammer spring in many older derringers. I have used bobby pins for the springs in the past on the smaller scale weapons I have made
I am going to a little larger scale and would like to be able to make a stronger spring to operate the actions correctly. I have some carbon steel that has been annealed so it can be worked and tempered. What is the correct way to temper this? I purchased a flat spring material package from Blue Ridge Machinery with several thickness of this material. Can this stuff be ground,filed, bent etc. and then tempered?

Thanks,
Jon Hintz

[Melvin]

Jon H,
When needing small flat springs of various strengths,I've had good luck using various thickness' of blued spring steel,comes in sheets 6"X"18 or in an assortment package various thichness' from suppliers like Manhatten Supply or Mc Master-Carr.
Good luck Melvin

[Barry Young]

Hi John:

I have two suggestions. Stainless steel shim stock and Banding material. The shim stock is available at any industrial supply and most auto parts stores. The banding material is thrown out by everybody who receives heavy stuff on pallets. They will give you a lifetime supply for free, but thickness choice is limited.

The shim stock is good because you can easily vary the strength of the spring by using thinner or thicker stock. It comes in many thicknesses.

To shape the shim stock, clamp it between two pieces of 1/4 inch plywood and go at it with a dremel tool with a grinding wheel. The wood will support the metal and keep it from flexing away from the wheel. Finish the shape precisely with needle files moving the clamp as required. Lightly rub the finished edges with #0000 steel wool to deburr.

For holes, grip a sewing needle in a three jaw chuck with a handle attached and pierce through the work into a piece of softwood like a 2X4. After piercing the hole, rub off the burr with 400 grit silicon carbide sandpaper.

Using these techniques you can produce exceedingly precise springs of just the right tension quickly and neatly.

Barry Young

[wwheelock]

Dixie Gunworks(www.dixiegun.com)of Union City Tennessee publishes a book SPRINGS by Kit Ravenshear that should help you. The book is less than $5.