Welding a spring

[123hotchef]

The spring inside my roller shutter on my pick up has snapped.

Do you think welding the spring will work.
I know spring steel ain't the best to weld. But it's a old cover and a new spring ect will cost a few hundred quid.
Welder is at the ready.

 

[gordon stephenson]

Brazing may work,(for a while) Less heat,

 

[Seadog]

If it's that dear you've nothing to lose. But I'd be expecting failure at the weld and elongation due to removal of the temper in the HAZ.

 

[123hotchef]

Just cleanning the ends

 

[123hotchef]

If it's that dear you've nothing to lose. But I'd be expecting failure at the weld and elongation due to removal of the temper in the HAZ.

Not a problem if it stretches or shortens it's just to assist the closure of the roller shutter

 

[123hotchef]

I mean i could even sleve it with a bit of tube to get a bigger weld area

 

[Dcal]

Not a chance.
Even if it does weld you will take the temper out of it and it won't be a spring anymore.

An overlap and a bit of braze as @gordon stephenson says would be your best chance.

 

[123hotchef]

Spring is 2 foot long taking a little bit out won't matter that much

 

[Dcal]

It probably broke where it working hardest (unless there was flaw) so it will probably break in the HAS zone again as @Seadog said.
Worth a try with braze as you don't need to heat the steel as much so you don't create as HAZ.

 

[123hotchef]

It broke pretty much dead center so yep

 

[Screwdriver]

If that's a torsion spring I think it will repair well. Fit a cylinder inside the break, couple of holes to poke the broken ends into (you may need to heat/bend the ends, then braze the spring for an inch each side around the cylinder.

Might be an idea to taper the ends of the cylinder so there's no stress point.Four inches should be plenty and taper it both ends for most of that. The spring will want to decrease its diameter.

 

[123hotchef]

I can't fit a tube inside as it has a bar that passes through already

 

[123hotchef]

Actually I reakon I can get some thing thin in there

 

[Screwdriver]

What diameter is the bar? Is there no room at all? Can you replace it with a rod?

 

[123hotchef]

What diameter is the bar? Is there no room at all? Can you replace it with a rod?

It is 23mm I got some 22mm copper here that would work I would have to tig grade it though steel tube will be better might turn something on the lathe

 

[Screwdriver]

Actually looking at it now, I wonder if it might be better to screw the ends together for an inch or so and braze that section. Use an aluminium bar for backing but if the spring goes tight around an existing bar, you might not need any reinforcing.

 

[123hotchef]

Actually looking at it now, I wonder if it might be better to screw the ends together for an inch or so and braze that section. Use an aluminium bar for backing but if the spring goes tight around an existing bar, you might not need any reinforcing.

Screw it together how.

 

[Seadog]

It's a helix. The two parts will interlock once you've managed to engage them.

 

[Cobbler]

I migged the balance spring for my up & over garage door when it broke. Garador wanted over £100 for a new one so thought give it a try. Lots of sparks & a big snotty lump, but it’s held for several years now. It took the temper out of that bit, but I think that’s what has stopped it breaking again.

 

[123hotchef]

Let's get it welded and see.