The Armour Archive

Does anyone have a source for Stainless Spring Steel. I am thinking of trying some finger gauntlets and I figure why not at least go for the gold and try them out of Stainless Spring.

For small quntities, like enough for a pair of fngered gauntlets, I would recomend McMaster-Carr. You are going to pay a price premium for the smaller piece but the toal cost will be well less then a 4x8 sheet from Admiral Steel.

What grade and gage were you considering?

Sean

I'm not sure about the gauge. And I didn't know there are different grades of spring stainless. I am open to all suggestions.

There are many different version of stainless steel, some respond well to heat treating and some don't. 410 might work. 440A would be better for knives then armor. 17-4 or 17-7 PH would be better for impact purposes. Start by doing a search on this archive for spring and stainless. There is way too much information to repeat.

What is your experience with heat-treating regular carbon steels and what equipment do you have access to?

Sean

Sean Powell wrote:Start by doing a search on this archive for spring and stainless. There is way too much information to repeat.

I tried that but the only thing I found was 410. I will look again. If you wouldn't mind and you have time a link would be really helpful.

What is your experience with heat-treating regular carbon steels and what equipment do you have access to?

Sean

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Send it off and pay someone else to harden it for me.

410 is the stuff you want for armour. You can get away with the really light guages in this stuff, too, even as light as 20 guage, depending on how you construct the gauntlets.

Once heat treated they will be dent proof but may flex more than you want.

I bought a bunch of 410 in 1x3' sheets from Admiral for a local group order. The .032 should be ideal for finger gauntlets. I got some .062 for a helm as well.

Just don't heat it past the bright orange while you're working it hot- the stuff air hardens then you're stuck with either having to anneal it or work it hot for the rest of the peice's forming life. Awesome stuff.