Sear spring

[Bill Bounds]

Hi:
I've made a few Main Springs that work like a charm but am having trouble making a sear spring that keeps it's spring.
Most have a good feel to them but when pressed past a certain point lose their power. I'm using 1095 and I've even used large paper clip annealed and shaped. is there a trick that I'm missing when dealing with small springs. I've made a few that will break, so i think that i'm circleing the proper temp for tempering. Any hints?
:hmm:Bill

 

[Zonie]

With 1095, water quench it from a bright red heat.

Temper it to about 550-570 degrees F The color will be BLUE just like the old watch springs were .

Most paperclips are made out of low carbon steel that cannot be hardened.

If your 1095 steel spring is very thin, you should bake it in the oven at the above temperature for about 1/2 hour. Then air cool.