Making new springs?

[JHZR2]

Need to make a new spring for this: A piece from an old mortise lock. What's the best source/approach? Are there special methods for bending springs so they work properly?

 

[andyd]

Go to the right flea mkt. Get an entire lock or a reproduction hardware site or McMaster Carr??

 

[Chris142]

How big? The ignition points i put in my tractor looked like that.

 

[Linctex]

If you cannot find a reproduction, you can get the correct type of steel, anneal it (soften) cut, shape, form...... Hardening it to the correct temp is very, very tricky to do on a part that small.

 

[JHZR2]

Fortunately it's a non critical part, just want it right... What is the right type of stee? I'm not interested in a reproduction lock set, this one works perfect aside from this spring. Something else had fallen inside of the assembly, which can be understood after nearly 100 years...

 

[Trav]

Start off with this.. https://www.ebay.com/itm/FLAT-SPRING-STEEL-ASSORTMENT-MORTISE-LOCK-REPAIR/401307926188?hash=item5d6fd0feac:g:NfkAAOSwPcVVgecN

 

[ragtoplvr]

You can order music wire from McMaster Carr if you think a round spring can work. It can bend in hard condition. The Spot weld will be more difficult unless you have a spot welder. You could bend a 90 on the spring and then use some well cured JB weld it might work. Rod

 

[ragtoplvr]

You can order music wire from McMaster Carr if you think a round spring can work. It can bend in hard condition. The Spot weld will be more difficult unless you have a spot welder. You could bend a 90 on the spring, put in in a drilled hole and then use some well cured JB weld it might work. Rod

 

[AZjeff]

Our Ace Hardware has music/piano wire in 3 foot lengths & different thicknesses.

 

[Linctex]

Originally Posted By: Trav

Start off with this.. https://www.ebay.com/itm/401307926188

Enough there to do a LOT of locks! Take the one you need, sell the rest again......

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: ragtoplvr

You can order music wire from McMaster Carr if you think a round spring can work. It can bend in hard condition. The Spot weld will be more difficult unless you have a spot welder. You could bend a 90 on the spring and then use some well cured JB weld it might work. Rod

Fortunately it is not a spot weld, just a punched spot to either index the spring or help it stay. Id like to learn how to properly shape and craft spring steel. Not sure how useful of a skill it will be for me, but it will be fun.

 

[Kestas]

Making springs can be difficult. Spring steel is not very ductile. I believe they are formed first, then heat treated to make them "springy." It's called bainitic hardening. That's why spring metal snaps when you try to form them further. Maybe you can use a metal tube to "sleeve" both ends together.