Score!!.....Hopfully?

J

Johnbeck180

Joined
May 16, 2011
Messages
199
Found a place today that specializes in replacing leaf springs on trucks from a standard size Chevy to tri-axel dumptruks. So I Went there, they were happy to sell me almost two full sets of leaf springs, one from an older ford and one from an older Chevy for $10. Is this steel 5160?
 
I did the same thing years ago. I actually talked to the guys at the company and asked them where they got their steel from. It was a place called triangle spring, and I called them, explained what I was planning on doing, and they actually confirmed that they used 5160 on their springs.
 
I to asked what kind of steel they used, the guy just said "spring steel". He seemed a little annoyed that I was there in the first place so I didn't push the issue. One set I picked out had two leafs broke in the middle, looked like a hi carbon steel break. Kinda Reminded me of the way chocolate looks like after you snap it in half. Even if it's not 5160 I figured it was close to some form of 10 series steel.
 
Click the "attachment" link and then place your mouse over the springs and slide it up and down...that will let us see what the alloy is.




Just kidding....unless the shop made the springs themselves, there is no way to know the exact alloy. You can use it as if it was 5160 and probably get good results, but won't know what it really is. If the springs are ones removed and replaced, not new springs, then they may be full of micro-cracks and make really bad knives.
 
I stopped at a local spring shop and the owner confirmed that all his new springs are 5160. He then gave me the drops that he had.they where new pieces that he had cut, they were about 6" long, he gave me 6 or 7.
 
5160 has been a standard here but in other parts of the world it may be 5160Mod [Mercedes truck springs] or 9250 . However at this point in time the types can be many different things.Wait till Chinese cars are imported then it will be really a guessing game !!
 
Sounds like I might have to send a piece to get tested. This I have never done or even looked into doing. I live in Indiana. Wheres a good place to send a piece to possibly get tested? Is worth it to get it tested? I am hoping to sell some knives in the future.
 
Johnbeck180,
Does the spring shop make their own springs, or just order them in premade? If they make their own, then you should be asking to buy the drops, or scrap end pieces, from when they make the springs. What Stacy is telling you is correct, you have used springs that could have all sorts of internal flaws, heck, the ones you got even had breaks in some of the leafs ~ that ought to tell you something. My suggestion is to bring a dozen donuts and a carafe of coffee and ask again. Possibly offer to give the foreman a simple blacksmith type knife too if he can help you out. He will then probably be willing to look into what the material is for you. Then ask if you could buy the scrap new material. Years ago Betts sold me their drops for about the same price they sold it to the salvage yard.

Best,
Steve
 
Good idea, killem with kindness. As far as making there own, I'm not Sure I didn't want to stick around to ask, he was pretty rude. I did see two good size forges with what looked to be at least 250-300lbs anvils. As far as leaf springs, all of the ones I went through looked to be factory. There was another section of the building I didn't go into maybe they do make their own. I'll go back, good idea on the knife, I'll make him one.
 
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