spring steel stock

[Jerry V Lape]

Where do I find spring steel stock.  Need a piece about 6 inches long, 1/4"thick x 3/8" inch wide to make the latch spring on patchbox with a through the buttplate.  Imitating a Leonard Reedy rifle. 

[Elnathan]

Well, I was going to say McMaster-Carr, but they don't seem to have the thickness you need. You might try the New Jersey Steel Baron - he has 1095, 1084, and 1075 in 1/4x1" by various lengths. Not heat treated, though, so you'd have to temper it yourself.

[Bob Roller]

Where do I find spring steel stock.  Need a piece about 6 inches long, 1/4"thick x 3/8" inch wide to make the latch spring on patchbox with a through the buttplate.  Imitating a Leonard Reedy rifle.

Send me your address and I can send a piece 1/4x3/4x6 of 1075 annealed.
It will cost you the postage.
Bob Roller

[rawerk]

You really don't need spring stock for this application.  I have made several of these from old large nails, 20d or larger.  I cut off the head and cold forge to the appropriate shape then silver solder the appropriate style button back on the end.  The work hardening gives them plenty of spring for a patch-box latch.

[jerrywh]

Bob.
  Don't you know FREE is no longer cheap enough.

[Scota4570]

I have bought form Jantz supply. 

[Metalshaper]

Admiral Steel.. They have sring stock in a variety of sizes..

Respect Always
Metalshaper/Jonathan

[Lucky R A]

As said above, you don't really need or want  spring steel to make this latch.  I have made dozens of them for Beck, Reedy as necessary for the style.  The trick in in the gentle bend which should contact the top side of your box cavity.  As you insert the opener through buttplate you need to push the front of the spring back just a bit to enter into the slot where it will embedded at the front of the box.  P.S. it is easiest to burn in the front of the spring with an appropriately shaped piece of hot steel.

Ron

[elkhorne]

Ron,
Do you have any photos of that gentle bend you are referring to. I think I understand what you are talking about but a photo might help all of us. I have to do one of these on an upcoming build I a, planning. Thanks.
elkhorne

[Jerry V Lape]

Photo is a bit fuzzy but shows the spring in question.  The Reedy I am following is fastened with a screw at the front, not embedded in the front of the box. 

[Jerry V Lape]

second photo of the Reedy spring

[smallpatch]

Jerry, I'll bet that's just mild steel.  With those curves, it will be plenty springy.

[Lucky R A]

Here are a couple of photos of one I am putting together now.   Spring in place and then full view of the curve --slightly more than needed, the pressure holds the spring in place---beck left a block to insert the spring.