Spring Tempering Mild Steel?

W

Will Leavitt

Joined
Jul 28, 2006
Messages
3,953
I need to make a pocket clip for a pouch thingy. I don't want to buy a bunch of clips and wait for them to come in. Can you spring temper mild steel sheet from Home Depot?

Oh yeah, before I get a bunch of just "yes" or "no" answers :rolleyes: ... if it's possible please explain the process :D
 
I've had luck putting some spring into a mild steel sheet...

It's been pretty simple, and I didn't know much about heat treat at the time, but it seemed to work.

I simple heated the piece to non-magnetic and held it there for about 10 seconds and then dunked it in room temp water. That stiffened it up noticeably and I then used a torch to bring it to the first shades of blue heat and let it air cool.

It's still mild steel (1018) so don't expect too much, but it does add a little spring to it.
 
The short answer is no.

The stiffness will not change and more importantly, the yield point is not significantly moved by HT, meaning the ability to resist permanent deformation from deflection (spring back) can not be significantly changed in mild steel. "Spring steel" is frequently 1095 high carbon steel tempered to blue.
 
I think I've got some 1095 sitting around to bang into some clips. I'm too impatient to wait for the mail guy... music wire is usually 1095 isn't it? I think I've got some of that laying around too.

Thanks
 
as ken mentioned
1. the heavy shipping straps that are used to band pallets together
(search for the thick stuff, normal bands are pretty thin.)

2. You can buy spring metal shim stock.
try an automotive supplier, you will want fairly thick material...perhaps not too common.
already hardened and tempered.
shape with dremel type grinding wheels and carbide burrs...

3.
buy pre hardened and tempered music wire, shape your clip from wire.

find some other spring...
imgres


this sort of thing...keep your eyes open
 
I drop into Stellar Tool supply near my house every once and a while. They cut and weld custom industrial bandsaw blades and usually have a bin of short pieces of scrap that's just garbage to them.

You might consider that. It's also a good way to get steel for fillet knives and damascus.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top