[TheForge] rigid vs. springy steel

[Larry Brown]

Have you looked at shingle removal tools? They may work or you may be able 
to steal parts off one to do what you want

Larry Brown


At 05:06 AM 7/25/2013 -0400, you wrote:
>Here's a question you metal munchers might be able to field:
>
>I have had a few applications in which I need thin but rigid steel.
>What steel is best?
>
>Consider for example a corkscrew -- it's a helix that holds its shape,
>it's rigid.  But a spring with a comparable shape is flexible.  What's
>the difference?  I suspect that it's simply the relative dimensions --
>a spring is relatively thinner wire wrapped on a relatively larger
>mandrel, and vise-verse the corkscrew.
>
>But is that all there is too it, or is there a metallurgical difference as 
>well?
>
>Although I've contemplated making corkscrews, the immediate
>application is a prybar for roofing and siding nails and similar
>stuff.  It would be flat, like these:
>http://www.homedepot.com/p/Dasco-Pro-Pry-Bar-Set-3-Piece-91/202585548#.UfDoym1cWgw
>but of thinner steel.  (If I can't make it thinner, I'll just use a
>commercial one.)
>
>I'd like it as thin as possible for a number of reasons, but I don't
>want more than minimal flex to the thing.  So I'm wondering what steel
>to use.
>
>I have, BTW, considered using thin steel and putting longitudinal
>bends ("ribs" or "nerves" or "corrugations" -- whatever you want to
>call them -- as are used in larger HVAC ducts to prevent oilcanning of
>the large flats) in it, but this partially defeats the purpose, as the
>result would effectively be thicker -- so why not use thicker metal
>and be done with it?
>
>This is not any sort of critical problem, but I've had similar
>problems before and left them unaddressed.  This time I thought I'd
>ask....
>
>--
>Bruce
>NJ
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