leaf spring for stock removal

7

724wd

Joined
Dec 29, 2006
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ok, i've done the search and read a lot about using auto leaf springs, but there was not much info on using it in a stock removal situation. my intention is to build a few knives for practice, starting with new spring steel from the local leaf spring shop. i have no ability to forge at this time, and dont see it in the near future. i assume new leaf spring material comes annealed, correct? the blades i am thinking about practicing with are a spear point fighter, a blade similar to the benchmade resistor, maybe a small skinning blade, and possibly some kitchen/utility blades (santoku maybe?).

is 5160 of any use to a stock-removal knife maker? i would also be sending out for HT, and living in spokane it appears i am close to one of the best HTers...

so, what do you guys think? am i on any kind of track here? the right track? the wrong track, or am i not even close?

heath
 
They have allready been HT'd but they can still be ground into blades. It would be much less trouble to buy some annealed 5160 and then grind and HT.
 
Depends On the thickness of the steel you have. Most Leaf spring steel is 1/4 inch which for Stock Removal could be annoying. Your option with that would be to Cut the stock in half along the thickness of it to make 2 1/8 th pieces or you could always make 1/4 inch blades. 5160 is a good steel I prefer 1080 or 1095 for smaller blades but if you want to practice and you have the steel go for it.

Also I think you should do your own heat treat. It is a good thing to learn.
 
B Finnigan said:
They have allready been HT'd but they can still be ground into blades. It would be much less trouble to buy some annealed 5160 and then grind and HT.
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so the stock a leaf spring shop has for making springs in not annealed? they must bend it cold, then?

and thank you for the suggestion to try a HT on my own. i would like to do that, and have read a lot on the process... he doesnt know it, but i know Bruce Bump from years ago... maybe there'd be a resource there... :)
 
Does the leaf spring shop actually forge the springs there? Alot of places are just ordering the pre-forged blanks and then custom fitting them. My dad worked for years actually forging them and the only annealed steel were the blanks.

The new springs have a sticker on one end that says "Hardened/tempered steel". I work just a mile from automotive spring shop and I can buy the new drop pieces for .10 cent a pound. For that price it is very much worth it for me to anneal it and use it. The 3/8" pieces are great for forging with.
 
i haven't called them yet, but i believe the make from scratch. i'm going to call them and another steel yard later in the day...
 
If the shop makes leaf springs they usually have pieces that they sell for scrap prices. The pieces shouldn't be hardend and most likely will be straight.
 
i just talked to them and they have annealed flat stock that IS 5160, and in various widths and thicknesses. might have to take a trip on my lunch hour on wednesday.... :D

the other steel shop i called didn't have 440C, 1080, 1095 in stock in any sizes, but can order. he said we'd be talking about full sticks... so that might be more than i want to "practice" on. :rolleyes:
 
724wd said:
i have no ability to forge at this time, and dont see it in the near future.
Click to expand...

Hey, you are going to miss out of the most fun part!

I wish I could convince you to think about building a cheap and easy forge.
I still got mine in the back yard from 3 years ago, and every once in a while I dump in some BBQ borquetes and start the shopvac and forge 'old school" style...
 
my first "forge" was a fire on the ground in the backyard with a steel pipe running in to the middle and my mums hairdryer.
wasnt ideal but it anealed some old files and then heat treated them again later
brett
 
If there's a 4 wheel drive repair shop in your area, you can usually find all the old leaf springs you can use out by the dumpster....ask a mechanic to save an old set for you, they usually will give you all you want.
 
well, i went down and bought 3 feet of .215 x 2 inch 5160 stock. that should provide me with plenty of steel to ruin! :-) i tried to buy some 1/8x2 stainless from fasterners, but the guy there said they don't cut material there (there was a horizontal band saw next to the rack) and he'd have to send the 10-12' stick to seattle to have it cut (i wanted 1 foot) ... huh? ok, nevermind then, helpful harry... (rolleyes) guess i'll have to find another source for SS...
 
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