Any uses for a big chunk of spring steel?

This topic has 18 replies, 13 voices, and was last updated 28 September 2013 at 07:57 by Clive Hartland.

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25 September 2013 at 14:09 #22854
wolrikm
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@wolrikm
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25 September 2013 at 14:09 #130672
wolrikm
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@wolrikm
A piece of spring steel literally fell off the back of a lorry outside my house. Part of the leaf spring suspension broke as he went over the hump in the road and it slid along the road as the lorry disappeared into the distance. It's a good job it wasn't school time, as the 'sleeping policeman' is on the school crossing.

Is this sort of steel any use? It's about 3" wide by 5/8" thick and a couple of feet in length. Can't think of anything I would want to use it for, and no way for me to machine it, other than with a handheld grinder.

Martin.
25 September 2013 at 17:14 #130685
jason udall
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@jasonudall57142
Cross bow?
25 September 2013 at 17:19 #130686
jason udall
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@jasonudall57142
But seriously..
Thats hicarbon steel.
To do much with it you will need to anneal it first..cut off what you need .
Heat to red heat for a time..hours..allow to cool slowly ..hours..process as needed..heat harden and temper to taste
25 September 2013 at 17:54 #130692
wolrikm
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@wolrikm
So, chuck it in the scrap bin then? Or in my case, put it back out in the street and the gentlemen with the old Transit pickup will take it in the morning, no questions asked.

Martin.
25 September 2013 at 17:58 #130693
Michael Gilligan
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@michaelgilligan61133
Martin,

I have a similar item [slightly curved and nicely tapered in thickness], obtained in similar circumstances.

Haven't yet found anything to make from it; but it does come in very useful as a crowbar for paving slabs and bits of machinery.

MichaelG.
25 September 2013 at 20:21 #130705
Bubble
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@bubble
Hi all

Google "Taperlite" spring

used on lorries and railway wagons

We fatigue tested them in BR Research years ago

Jim
25 September 2013 at 22:01 #130715
JohnF
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@johnf59703
Martin, I would keep it as Jason suggests cut into bite size chunks and anneal, it will be a high grade carbon steel with many uses. Don't know where you are but wish I was close I would anneal it for you. Don't waste a windfall!

John
26 September 2013 at 00:07 #130724
jason udall
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@jasonudall57142
we are all ignoring the comedy potential…"Excuse me Mr. truck driver,,Should this be attached somewhere ?"…..
26 September 2013 at 00:12 #130727
Ady1
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@ady1
I've got one

A crowbar or a crossbow !
26 September 2013 at 08:39 #130738
wolrikm
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@wolrikm
I don't see it being any good to me, so if anyone is passing M62 J31 sometime, you're welcome to it.

Martin.
26 September 2013 at 09:19 #130740
Bazyle
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@bazyle
Some people have all the luck – then want to throw it away!

In most of Africa that would be quickly turned into a panga (machete). Failing a model engineer your local blacksmith will be interested. Virtually worthless as scrap it gold (well quite nice steel) in the right hands.

You could always bring it along with you this weekend to the St Albans Model Engineering Society show and put it on the tools shop,
26 September 2013 at 09:36 #130742
colin hawes
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@colinhawes85982
I obtained a broken leaf spring many years ago;it has made various fine cutters and press tools. Colin
26 September 2013 at 09:59 #130744
wolrikm
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@wolrikm
Colin, I wouldn't know what to do with it without a forge, and I don't have room for one. I worked with the blacksmiths for a number of years when I worked as a welder at t'pit and used to love using the steam hammer.

Bazyle, I am in Yorkshire, but by coincidence I will be in St Albans Friday/Saturday, so I will pay a visit to the show and bring it with me. Look for a little bald chap with a grey beard, specs, and black denim Wrangler jacket and jeans, and ask the correct question, ('eyup, is thy from Yorkshire?) then you can claim your prize.

(I thought I better add the bit about the black Wranglers as model engineer shows usually have plenty of little bald men with grey beards and specs.)

Seriously, if you want the piece of spring, and we do make it down there, you are welcome to it.

Martin.
26 September 2013 at 11:36 #130747
Speedy Builder5
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@speedybuilder5
They make good planishing irons for car bodywork, cut them down with an angle grinder / cutting blade. I put a thin cutting disk in my bench mounted circular saw and use it for cutting tough steel. Watch out for max permitted revs etc and make sure there is not too much sawdust to catch fire. Check for fire ignition before you shut the workshop up for the night.

Bob H
26 September 2013 at 11:37 #130748
richardandtracy
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@richardandtracy
A friend of mine many years ago had a knife forged from a truck leaf spring. It was only later that he found out the truck driver didn't know it was being removed. This was in Kano in Nigeria, and that sort of thing was not uncommon at the time (early 1980's). The knife held an edge very well.

Regards,

Richard.
26 September 2013 at 14:29 #130761
Martin Walsh 1
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@martinwalsh1
Posted by wolrikm on 25/09/2013 17:54:03:

So, chuck it in the scrap bin then? Or in my case, put it back out in the street and the gentlemen with the old Transit pickup will take it in the morning, no questions asked.

Martin.

You could use it as a door stop or a heavy duty paper weight

Kind regards Martin
28 September 2013 at 00:05 #130864
daveb
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@daveb17630
Go outside and wait for the lorry to go past again, gather up the wheels, half shafts and differential. Lots of useful bits there!
28 September 2013 at 07:57 #130874
Clive Hartland
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@clivehartland94829
Needless to say that when the chap who lost the spring piece goes for MOT he will be very surprised to FAIL it!

He will wonder where he lost it so place an advert in the local paper advertising a return for a reward!

Clive
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