Need a flat spring for a project ?

[randyc]

Nice idea, Bill. As well as holding parallels in place in a milling vise, they also work well as parallels themselves when holding parts that are too skinny for normal parallels. The width is very consistent - especially if you shear two pieces that are adjacent in the band.

 

[RJSakowski]

It is important to have the same temperature throughout the spring when hardening and tempering. If you don't have access to an oven, a molten lead bath provides a uniform temperature for the tempering process. The melting point of lead is just about ideal for springs. If there is a small amount of solid lead in the pot, it will ensure that you are close to the 621F melting point. Remember that lead is toxic. Clean up properly after use!