Spring replacement

[Fieldgradevt]

Hi everyone. I have a LH Dixie gun works Kentucky rifle and upon inspection today noticed cracks in the main spring. Does anyone know of a good source for a replacement? Dixie no longer has parts for the model

 

[smo]

Check with Deer Creek Products

 

[Rock Home Isle]

Do you have a local blacksmithing club in your area…a competent black smith can make one of these fairly easy. A bit of old garage door spring, your spring as a template, and an hour or so in front of the forge.

 

[rich pierce]

It’s not a pretty spring. Many blacksmiths know little of hardening and tempering springs, and are more adept at doing bigger stuff with zero critical dimensions. Anyone not experienced in making springs for gun locks would be an iffy choice in my view. I’d not make a spring for less than $60 unless it was a friend or neighbor. Maybe keep your eye out for a spare lock. Cabin Creek is a possibility but I don’t know their rates for a mainspring replacement.

 

[FlinterNick]

Hi everyone. I have a LH Dixie gun works Kentucky rifle and upon inspection today noticed cracks in the main spring. Does anyone know of a good source for a replacement? Dixie no longer has parts for the model

At first glance i would say you may be able to save that spring. The cracks i can see are on the very edge, this probably occurred during the shaping process and the spring was likely not hot enough why the edges have nooks, normally when I make springs I file those out and polish up the spring prior to hardening and tempering.

 

[bldtrailer]

https://www.dixiegunworks.com/#

check here under gun parts
https://www.dixiegunworks.com/index/page/product/product_id/6314/category_id/375/product_name/TP1759+Mainspring+-+For+New+Style+Dixie+Deluxe+Cub%2C+Super+Cub+%26+Pennsylvania+Lock

 

[bldtrailer]

https://www.dixiegunworks.com/index...For+DGW+Kentucky+Style+Lock+(LO0703+&+LO0704)

 

[Fieldgradevt]

At first glance i would say you may be able to save that spring. The cracks i can see are on the very edge, this probably occurred during the shaping process and the spring was likely not hot enough why the edges have nooks, normally when I make springs I file those out and polish up the spring prior to hardening and tempering.

Thank you for the answer! Do you think I should file out the cracks or leave them be? I don’t want to compromise the integrity of the spring.

 

[Pete G]

Thank you for the answer! Do you think I should file out the cracks or leave them be? I don’t want to compromise the integrity of the spring.

I would file out the cracks and polish the spring. Keep the file strokes perpendicular to your spring.

 

[olskool]

what would filing out cracks do? that repairs nothing!

 

[FlinterNick]

what would filing out cracks do? that repairs nothing!

It removes the cracks, if the cracks are just at the surface, it’s common practice to file them out.

 

[FlinterNick]

Thank you for the answer! Do you think I should file out the cracks or leave them be? I don’t want to compromise the integrity of the spring.

I would file them length wise, follow the taper of the spring, then polish.

I would also reharden and temper the spring, some times steel can work harden when filed or drilled.

 

[olskool]

It removes the cracks, if the cracks are just at the surface, it’s common practice to file them out.

that still does nothing, i guess it might look better, that would be about it,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[Philip Lebow]

Removing the cracks down to clean metal removes stress risers that can lead to fractures at the grain boundaries of the steel. If the metal is removed below the origin of the cracks, the spring should still be reliable.
Polish the filed surface to remove tool marks and other potential stress risers. Even a new spring may have folding cracks at the bend edges. Also file and polish the long edges of the spring to clean metal. Polish.
It will look good and not drag the lock plate so much.
Probably not necessary to reharden the spring, it is risky if you have little experience doing it.

 

[smo]

I’ve been told to never file anywhere near the bend in a mainspring….

 

[westrayer]

S and S in New York

 

[FlinterNick]

I’ve been told to never file anywhere near the bend in a mainspring….

Have you ever made a spring ?

 

[smo]

No and I’ve never filed the bend on one either after being advised by 70 + year old master blacksmith it wasn’t a good idea.

Being the bend is the weak point of the spring..according too him..

Would you not agree?

 

[FlinterNick]

No and I’ve never filed the bend on one either after being advised by 70 + year old master blacksmith it wasn’t a good idea.

Being the bend is the weak point of the spring..according too him..

Would you not agree?

No i don’t agree, there isn’t a one off rule that says you ought not file the bend of a spring. I make custom springs all the time, and yes i do file out imperfections in my springs.

That said I don’t remove all imperfections but I would file those nook cracks out of that spring at the bend, as they will likely worsen over time.

Casted springs usually have the sprew at the bend, it is file or ground off.

 

[smo]

I think the smith I’m referring too was talking about a finished ,installed spring not one being made and heat treated.