Flat spring stainless steel ?

[Tim StevensParticipant @timstevens64731]

I need a small amount of flat hard-rolled stainless to make a few spiral springs. Just like clock springs but not so many turns. Any ideas of a supplier, please?

I suppose I could roll some strip to harden it, but no-one handy has a set of capable rolls …

Cheers, Tim

[Tim StevensParticipant @timstevens64731]

Searching for a supplier

[roy entwistleParticipant @royentwistle24699]

What about sizes ? Piece of string comes to mind

Roy

[Tim StevensParticipant @timstevens64731]

About the size of an alarm clock spring – say 4mm to 5mm wide, and 0.3mm to 0.4mm thick? And in pieces no shorter than about 150mm. Roughly.

Cheers, Tim

[Brian HParticipant @brianh50089]

I've previously used a supplier of spring material to companies making false limbs. This was in Sheffield but they went out of business some years ago but there must be other suppliers.

Brian

[Richard MarksParticipant @richardmarks80868]

An old clock spring or the retractor spring from an old tape measure.

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Spring steel strapping? The problem is it's about 12.7mm wide, but it may be possible to cut it with a bench shear.

I could pop some in an envelope.

Neil

[Speedy Builder5Participant @speedybuilder5]

How about "Tensator springs" for use in wet environments. – Do you have any friends that work for a food factory ?

**LINK**
BobH

Edited By Speedy Builder5 on 07/02/2018 15:47:24

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Ah. Missed the 'stainless'.

[Ian PParticipant @ianp]

I have a supply of the SS flat rolled spring wire but its twice the width and thickness you say you need.

Its 2.5mm x 0.7mm round edged wire (as used in some windscreen wiper blades), if its of any use I could post some.

Ian P

[Tim StevensParticipant @timstevens64731]

Neil the Ed says – Missed the 'stainless'.

Indeed, and you are not alone. If I could find a stainless clock sprint, or stainless strapping, I would not need to ask here. Or even the spring out of a seat belt, but they all rust.

Cheers, Tim

[Tim StevensParticipant @timstevens64731]

Hello Ian P – this sounds like a possible answer. I will send you a Personal Message with details, and let's see how we get on.

A bit thicker and a bit narrower than my original guess, but certainly helpful.

Cheers, Tim

[Richard S2Participant @richards2]

If you have to go to a commercial supplier, then you could try these people for a small quantity. Look's like they may have what you need – Steelstrip

[JohnFParticipant @johnf59703]

Tim, have look at this link it suggests that seat belt springs are made of stainless ?? **LINK**

A search around Redditch area may be good its the heart of spring and needle making — or was !

Cheers John

[Nathan SharpeParticipant @nathansharpe19746]

Tim, I'm not sure about their available sizes but we used to use " Bandit" ss strapping on commercial pump hoses. as far as I know they are still in business. Nathan.

[Nathan SharpeParticipant @nathansharpe19746]

Tim, it's available from " Thorne and Derrick " in the uk. Sizes look useful ! Nathan.

[Tim StevensParticipant @timstevens64731]

Thanks to Ian P I now have enough stainless spring strip to keep me busy for hours. I now need to work out how best to wind a (shorter than usual) clock spring, so it works out neat and not wobbly.

Thanks to you all for comments and links – all helpful.

Tim

[John BaronParticipant @johnbaron31275]

Hi Tim,

Grab an old window screen wiper from a car. The metal backing strip is stainless and is quite hard. I've used them to make replacement return springs for door handles. Works a treat

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