Posted by Chris Case [108.162.215.96] on Saturday, July 30, 2016 at 11:53:26 :
In Reply to: Re: Electrolytic rust removal- and gun buing? posted by Sherman in Idaho [108.162.244.55] on Friday, July 29, 2016 at 23:53:02 :
Crossover knowledge, guns and trucks-
I bought a music wire assortment last year, to wind gun springs. Easily done in either a lathe or drill press. But then they recommend "re-tempering". Not an actual heat enough to retemper, but put it in your toaster over and heat to about 400f. What it does is get the spring used to it's new shape. "stress relieving" is the proper name.
Now this A5 clone I've been tinkering with had a maybe 60 year old barrel return spring that was compressed to an inch short. New ones are available, so what the heck. I stretched it out to +1". That usually does no good, the spring is used to that shorter length, so restores itself at the first operation. So, I stretched, and slid it onto my BBQ spit, and fired it up. And got busy on the rest of the gun. OOPS, 600f. And a beautiful red/brown oxidation, like a new valve spring. Cool. (in more ways than one)
Anyhow, installed, pumped a few times, left compressed overnight, and still good length today.
I'm thinking that stretch them out, stress releive, and make them good to go. Beats waiting a week of two for the mail man.