[TheForge] Spring steel Gun Part

[smith at blacksmithing.org]

Dave Kammer wrote:
[snip]   Can heat treating or tempering make the part more springy?

IF the part is an oil hardening tool tool steel, heat it to critical,
oil quench, temper at 650F. Molten lead is just about the right temp and
was the traditional way to make match lock springs. Use plenty of
ventilation and remember that it's easy to run the temp over the melting
point (think ice-water-steam & a melt temp of 32 F).

Steve Bloom (Ironflower Forge, FABA)