Question about Carbon

[rfb343]

I need to make some flint and steel strikers and and having a problem finding stock at the right price... I was thinking about using something like Kasenit on some mild(which I have tons of and I cant bring my self to cut up any files for something as simple as a striker, any one have opinions or insight about this?

[habu68]

Call your local garage door repair and install company and ask for broken garage door springs. They make great strikers.

[Don A]

Old files are hard to beat.

Ditch the Kasenit idea. Case hardening only goes a couple 1/1000ths deep, so you're gonna wear through it pretty quick with a fire steel. No doubt it'll work, if that's all you got, but good steel is good steel all the way through.

I use files with a water quench; no temper.

Don

[rfb343]

Thanks Don, Thats the answer I was afraid of, LOL, looks like im off to the flea markets as I struck out with all the overhead door type places nearby and even 1 installer that I offered cash to call me if he got a good stack of 'em.

[Covforge]

Check out any local auto recyclers. The rods in the trunks used to be good steel. Hood springs on the older cars and pickups will work to.
Travis

[yesteryearforge]

rfb343
If you can come to one of our meetings ill be glad to give you some spring material ( maybe say enough for 40 or 50 strikers )
Im in central virginia you can check us out at Blacksmith Guild of Viriginia or I would bet that the blacksmith guild of central maryland would have a few members that could point you in the right direction. They are located in westminster maryland about 30 miles from gettysburg PA.

Mike Tanner

[keykeeper]

What thickness of spring material are we talking about needing? I have a "small" stack of tension springs taken off of commercial garage doors. Sizes range anywhere from 1/8" up to about 1/2" inch stuff. Might be able to send you some if you pick up the shipping.

They are easy to straighten into workable pieces. Just cut a small section, heat thoroughly in the forge, drop around an upright heavy rod set in a stump, and pull with tongs. You wouldn't believe how many feet of useable stock is in a coil spring. Send my a PM, rfb343, if you can't find anything else to work with.