How to make replacement switchblade springs?

uncle · Mar 2, 2001

I'm converting some manuals to auto and restoring some old autos and I need info on making springs- type of steel and suppliers, bending, angles, thickness, heat treating and tempering, etc.

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[This message has been edited by uncle (edited 03-02-2001).]

L6steel · Mar 21, 2001

I'm building my first switchblade and with the advice of a couple top notch makers, I'm uaing ats-34 for the springs. The spring should be .095 thick and the same width as the blade and tapered slightly at the front end to allow play between the liners. As for angles, I'm not bending the spring. I designed it to lay straight in the open position. To heat treat the ats-34 to spring temper, harden at 1975 for 20 minutes and air cool. Then temper twice at 1140 for 2 hours.

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Take care!! Michael

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