It's counter-intuitive, but you don't really need spring steel to make the spring for a leg vise. Mild steel works perfectly well and is easier to forge into shape. I've refurbished maybe 20 leg vises with new springs and wedges and I've made the spring out of mild steel on some and spring steel on others and there isn't any difference in function. I go by what stock I have that's closest in size to what's needed.
Good to know…
The link didn't work for me, but 5160 would certainly work. Most car springs are 5160 so that's how a lot of folks source the thicker sections. A buddy of mine put lift kits in his and his friend's diesel Excursions a few years ago and they gave me all the factory leaf springs from both, so I've got a big pile of it!. It's good stuff, but it's a lot harder to forge/shape than mild steel (even in the same thickness). You have to work it hot to prevent cracks from forming, so a bright cherry to orange or even lighter. The first time I tried forging it I got a 1/2" round piece yellow hot, hit it with a hammer and made a pitiful little dent...I was like what just happened?
Link fixed in my original posting. Should have read stress resistant steel
Oh boy! It will be a real task making that 90 degree bend!!!The link didn't work for me, but 5160 would certainly work. Most car springs are 5160 so that's how a lot of folks source the thicker sections. A buddy of mine put lift kits in his and his friend's diesel Excursions a few years ago and they gave me all the factory leaf springs from both, so I've got a big pile of it!. It's good stuff, but it's a lot harder to forge/shape than mild steel (even in the same thickness). You have to work it hot to prevent cracks from forming, so a bright cherry to orange or even lighter. The first time I tried forging it I got a 1/2" round piece yellow hot, hit it with a hammer and made a pitiful little dent...I was like what just happened?
That's just common 5160 spring steel...not sure why they've added the "stress resistant" description. There are actually quite a few spring steels...for example, 1080 (piano wire) is a spring steel as well and often used to make knives, just like 5160. 1095 is one of the most common knife steels and is also a spring steel. I wouldn't buy anything to make a spring for a post vise if you have mild steel the correct size...not noticeable difference in springiness for something that moves as slow as a post vise.
