# Sovereignty Module: Coil the Spring

## Complete Spring Making and Spring Steel Working: From Bar to Bounce

Springs store and release energy, powering mechanisms from mousetraps to vehicle suspensions. This campaign covers spring types, coiling, heat treatment, and applications.

### Chapter 1: Spring Types

| Type | Shape | Action | Use | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compression coil | Helical coil | Resists compression | Valves, suspensions, latches | Moderate |
| Extension coil | Helical coil with hooks | Resists extension | Gates, trampolines, tools | Moderate |
| Torsion coil | Helical coil with legs | Resists twisting | Clothespins, mousetraps, doors | Moderate |
| Leaf spring | Flat bar, curved | Resists bending | Vehicles, gates, traps | Low-moderate |
| Flat spring (clock) | Coiled flat strip | Stores energy | Clocks, music boxes | High |
| Volute spring | Conical coil | Resists compression (progressive) | Heavy machinery | High |

### Chapter 2: Spring Steel

| Steel | Carbon % | Characteristics | Best For | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1075 | 0.75% | Good spring properties, easy to work | General springs | Common |
| 1084 | 0.84% | Excellent spring steel | Coil and leaf springs | Common |
| 1095 | 0.95% | Very hard, good spring | Heavy-duty springs | Common |
| 5160 | 0.60% + chromium | Excellent toughness, spring steel | Leaf springs, heavy coils | Automotive salvage |
| 6150 | 0.50% + vanadium | Premium spring steel | Precision springs | Specialty |

Salvage sources: 1) Vehicle leaf springs (5160 or similar): excellent for flat springs and large coil springs. 2) Garage door springs: high-quality spring steel wire. 3) Old bed springs: medium carbon spring steel. 4) Hay rake tines: spring steel wire. 5) Pallet banding: thin spring steel strip. 6) Old files (1095): can be annealed and re-forged into springs.

### Chapter 3: Coil Spring Making

Compression spring: 1) Select spring steel wire (diameter determines spring strength). 2) Anneal wire (heat to cherry red, slow cool in ash). 3) Calculate mandrel size (mandrel diameter = desired coil inner diameter). 4) Wrap wire around mandrel (even spacing between coils). 5) Maintain consistent pitch (spacing between coils). 6) Cut to desired number of coils. 7) Grind ends flat (spring sits level). 8) Heat treat: heat to non-magnetic (cherry red), quench in oil. 9) Temper to blue (560°F) for spring properties. 10) Test: compress and release; spring should return to original length.

| Wire Diameter | Mandrel Diameter | Spring Force | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/16 inch | 1/4-3/8 inch | Light | Small latches, pens |
| 3/32 inch | 3/8-1/2 inch | Light-medium | Mechanisms, tools |
| 1/8 inch | 1/2-3/4 inch | Medium | Latches, gates |
| 3/16 inch | 3/4-1 inch | Medium-heavy | Machinery, traps |
| 1/4 inch | 1-1.5 inch | Heavy | Vehicles, heavy machinery |

### Chapter 4: Leaf Spring Making

Leaf spring forging: 1) Start with flat spring steel bar (5160 or 1084). 2) Typical size: 1/4 x 2 inches, 18-36 inches long. 3) Heat entire bar evenly to cherry red. 4) Bend to desired curve (arc). 5) For multi-leaf: forge several bars of decreasing length. 6) Stack bars with longest on bottom. 7) Clamp together with center bolt. 8) Heat treat: harden (quench in oil), temper to blue. 9) Multi-leaf spring: each leaf adds to total spring rate.

| Application | Bar Size | Length | Curve | Leaves |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trap spring | 1/8 x 1 inch | 8-12 inches | Moderate | 1 |
| Gate spring | 1/4 x 1.5 inch | 12-18 inches | Slight | 1 |
| Cart/wagon | 1/4 x 2 inch | 30-42 inches | Moderate | 3-5 |
| Vehicle (light) | 1/4 x 2.5 inch | 36-48 inches | Moderate | 4-7 |

### Chapter 5: Spring Applications

| Application | Spring Type | Size | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| Door closer | Torsion coil | Medium | Returns door to closed position |
| Gate latch | Compression coil | Small | Holds latch in locked position |
| Animal trap | Leaf spring | Medium | Powers jaw closure |
| Crossbow | Leaf spring (prod) | Large | Stores energy for bolt |
| Clock/mechanism | Flat coil | Small | Stores energy, powers movement |
| Vehicle suspension | Leaf spring (multi) | Large | Absorbs road shock |
| Mousetrap | Torsion coil | Small | Powers snap bar |

### Reference Card

1. Temper to blue for springs (springs must be tough, not hard; a blue temper (560°F) gives the right balance of hardness and flexibility; too hard and the spring shatters, too soft and it bends permanently). 2. Spring steel must return to shape (a properly heat-treated spring deforms under load and returns to its original shape when the load is removed; if it takes a permanent set, it needs re-tempering at a lower temperature). 3. Oil quench for spring steel (spring steels are medium to high carbon and should be quenched in oil; water quenching is too aggressive and causes cracking). 4. Consistent coil spacing matters (uneven spacing in a coil spring causes uneven force distribution; coils that are too close together bind; coils that are too far apart reduce spring rate). 5. Vehicle leaf springs are free spring steel (salvaged leaf springs from cars and trucks are excellent spring steel (usually 5160); they can be re-forged into any spring application). 6. Anneal before working (spring steel is too hard to bend or coil in its hardened state; annealing (heating and slow cooling) softens it for forming; heat treat after forming). 7. Grind coil spring ends flat (flat ends allow the spring to sit level and distribute force evenly; unground ends cause the spring to tilt and bind). 8. Springs are stored energy (a compressed or bent spring stores mechanical energy that can be released on demand; springs power clocks, traps, latches, and countless mechanisms).