spring tempering o1

Thanks for the RC. I was wondering what the proper RC for spring is.
 
Ideally, its around 50 RC.
It really depends on the length of spring travel, spring diameter, and load.
 
For springs in general, 50Rc would be the upper limit. If one wants it to stay in one piece.
 
I should probably be more specific about what I want to make. I need some springs for a prototype assisted opening knife. I am using o1 because it is in the shop and close to the dominions I need. The first spring is about 4 1/2" long leaf spring with about 1" of travel. The second is about 1 1/2" long with about 1/8" of travel. Given this what would be the best rc# or temperature to temper o1. if any one has advice on a better way to get the above mentioned springs, i am always looking to learn a better way. Thank y'all for the help
 
I would say go with the temp that would give you between 42 and 45 Rc. 50 Rc is excessive for a spring.
 
I do automatic leaf springs. I've probably done 5000 of them.
If you want a nice, easy throw temper at around 725 degrees. All mine are tempered right at 600 degrees, and I haven't had one break yet.
 
A good spring has as much to do with it's mass as it's temper. A stronger spring requires more mass rather than a harder temper. Ideally.
 
Ok, dumb question time. Why spring temper O1? If you're not going to fully harden O1 and take advantage of it's extra alloy goodies, why not use a less expensive steel for springs?

Not trying to be argumentative here; just that I know O1 costs a whole lot more than say, 1095 or 1080 or similar simple carbon steels, which would make just as good of a spring.
 
He said he already had some 01 close to the size he needs. Other than that, I would agree with you.
 
Danbo said:
Ok, dumb question time. Why spring temper O1? If you're not going to fully harden O1 and take advantage of it's extra alloy goodies, why not use a less expensive steel for springs?

Not trying to be argumentative here; just that I know O1 costs a whole lot more than say, 1095 or 1080 or similar simple carbon steels, which would make just as good of a spring.
Click to expand...

Also O-1 makes some awesome springs! I use them in autos and such and they keep going and going and going...
 
I've used a good bit of O-1 for springs in muzzleloader locks. Always worked great. As LRB says it all is relative to spring designed use. Also a very clean finish void of stress riser producers is important. This is all very similar to making a good working blade.
I did find that for my particular application, tempering the hardened spring in melted lead (600*-610*) worked very well. So usually did them on a bullet casting day.
 
Your right, temp indicator is old and been knocked around a bit (like me), controller works fine.....operator error. Still, it works quite well on tempering lock springs.
 
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