Coil Spring Steel

[Whit]

I have some old coil springs, 2 from Army jeeps, and 2 from a farm auction awhile back. I'm assuming they are 5160, is that a safe bet? Now that I finally have a forge, I plan to use them for blades. They are roughly 5/8" diameter, so how big are we talking when I flatten them out? Is there anything I need to know before I start this project?? Thanks.

 

[Whit]

No ideas? Hasn't anyone used springs for blades?

 

[peter nap]

I think the reason no one answered Whit is because the width depends on how thin you make them. Yes I did one that was 1/2" The blade was thin and about 1 1/4 wide as I recall. I can't be bothered fattening coil springs these days. I'm much too busy flattening crowbars!

 

[Whit]

Thanks Peter. What about the type of steel? Is it likely 5160? That's what I'd always been told.

 

[Bruce Bump]

I think they must be 5160 or something close to that in ingredients. You will need to make a bar or two from them and heat-treat and test. Those army jeep springs sound interesting. The ex-military boys would buy those up I would bet.