Filing flat springs.

[beleg2]

I have been filing a flat spring from a 3/16 bar.
I have it 1/8 to almost 1/6".
I have to do final filing but is is very difficult to fix the spring so I can file it.

How do you grip a flat spring so it do not fly away every time.?
Any advise would help.

Thanks
Martin

[Acer Saccharum]

You might be able to glue it to a board.
Pitch, which is a jeweler's holding medium may work. ANy heat, tho, it softens and will release the spring. There is also Dopping Wax, which I think is used to hold gemstones for grinding.

Martin, sometimes you can leave the spring long, and clamp on the ends where you will later cut them off. Like, screw it to a board, and your good part is in between the hold down screws.

Tom

[Jim Kibler]

For small parts, it often helps to leave the part attached to the original bar as long as possible.  The original bar is often much easier to hold in a vise.

[Acer Saccharum]

Like what Jim says, only with more words. 

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

It may be that the jaws of your vise are chipped and worn, and this may me the reason you cannot grip a thin piece of steel.  Close the vise jaws and use an angle grinder to freshen the surface of the top of the jaws.  With a sharp edge, you can now grip a very thin piece.

Another trick is to hold one end in the jaws with the longer piece rising on an angle above the jaws surface.  Place a finishing nail under the raised section spanning the gap in the jaws, and file away.  A picture would have explained it better and faster, but I hope you understand.

[beleg2]

Thank you very much!
Acer,
I will try pich next week when I begin a jeweler course. Why do not think it myself .

Jim,
I should know. The first think I did was to cut the piece from the bar.

DTS,
You are right, my vise is well worn.

Thanks
Martin

[Dphariss]

Thank you very much!
Acer,
I will try pich next week when I begin a jeweler course. Why do not think it myself .

Jim,
I should know. The first think I did was to cut the piece from the bar.

DTS,
You are right, my vise is well worn.

Thanks
Martin

Filing will sometimes make a part to hot to hold.

Dan