Leaf spring Questions

[cmott69]

I've got my hands on some golf cart leaf springs, I broke one of them to check out the grain structure while it is still in its original state.
I'm not an expert but it looks pretty good to me.

I'm planning on forging it and need to know if it should be normalized before forging?, doesnt seem like it "needs" to be to me as forging heat should eliminate any stress before hammering, but still thought I would seek the input of the more experienced.

Anyone around Little Rock ,AR. wanna show a new hand at forging a few tricks?.

thanks guys.
C.J.

 

[Coldwood]

I'm no expert, but I have forged a few blades out of old car leaf springs. I believe heating it up to cherry red will relieve the temper in it. And then you just spend a lot of time hammering the hell out of it.

 

[B Finnigan]

I just posted some info on leaf springs over on TKN you might be interested in.

http://www.knifenetwork.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36487

My dad worked in a custom leaf spring shop for 26 years and I spent alot of time there also. That is what got me into forging and gave me a good practical foundation in metalurgy.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

I have found that golf cart leaf springs make excellent golf cart leaf springs.The steel may or may not be 5160.But heck,have some fun.
It is a good idea to run a normalization on any pre- hardened steel before forging.Fine pearlite is easier to forge,anyway.

You should really think about attending the Moran School Of Bladesmithing run by the ABS over in Washington,AR.You can learn a years worth of things in one week of classes.It is less than two hours from Little Rock.
Stacy