Making leaf spring buckles

[ChinkoaParticipant @chinkoa]

Does anybody have experience of making Leaf spring buckles. Hole size 3/4" x 3/8" 3/8" thick. I have had quotes for Laser and waterjet. and they are just too expensive for me. I have 6 to make for the Engine and 6 slightly smaller ones for the Tender.

I have a choice of materials Steel or Brass. The method I have in mind is to drill out rhe four corners with a small drill. Take the bulk of the material out with two larger drills in the hole and the then with a small Endmill remove the rest of the stock and finish the corners with a tri file.

Unless any body has a better method I can use?

[ChinkoaParticipant @chinkoa]

[MikelkieParticipant @mikelkie]

Try square tubing

[Jeff DaymanParticipant @jeffdayman43397]

I've made such buckles by milling a C shape and silver soldering a "cap" bar to the open side, when I couldn't find sq or rect tubing as Mikelkie suggested.

[BufferParticipant @buffer]

Colin I folded my loco buckles and then soldered the end in. If you mill them from solid leave it attached to the bar as it makes it easier to hold when your filling.

Regards rich

[Author]

Posts