Piano wire bending

mesa · Feb 1, 2025

Working out how I'm gonna replace the springs on the Mab model b I purchased yesterday while I wait for it to arrive.

Most are standard coil springs (wouldn't have bought it otherwise, lol) but it's got one bent up differently, circled in red. I see there are some cheap $20 bending tools out there, has anyone had any luck with them? Or is there a better strategy to go with?

RVTECH · Feb 1, 2025

mesa said:
Or is there a better strategy to go with?

Yea a good pair of needle nose pliers.

Leave enough for the rest but form the 'coil' part first then just bend and tweek the rest of it to match the original.

It may take a bit to to get it to the proper shape but be patient! I have made a few similar looking springs like this.

I assume it might be for the grip safety? If so I suspect there is some 'latitude' for it to be a little less than shaped perfectly but will probably work just fine.

oremike · Feb 1, 2025

I have a pair of jewelers chain nose pliers that I would use for something like that.

Beadalon - Chain Nose Pliers

www.beadalon.com

Ura-Ki · Feb 1, 2025

I was just gonna post, good Jewelers needle nose pliers are a good send for gun smithing projects, Most GOOD hobby shops or Hobby supply outlets sell "Z" bending tools and other pliers specifically for making control rods and such, lots of those tools are damn handy to have around! There are also vice mounted Bending tools for doing clock work springs, they do both round wire and flat, perfect for that kind of thing!
Here is where I get some of my tools!

Micro-Mark 4-Piece Metal Forming Plier Set – Precision Tools

Shape and bend metal with ease using the Micro-Mark 4-Piece Metal Forming Plier Set. Perfect for jewelry, models & crafts. Shop now for precision results!

micromark.com

thorborg · Feb 1, 2025

Not good to scratch spring parts, so resist using pliers with grip surface or really sharp edges. scratch lines may cause break points like when glass is scratched then snapped. Good luck on your spring, should be do-able with a little patients and perseverance.

not necessary but helpful

Be thankful you have the part to copy. I had no part or even able to find a picture of it. It was nothing like the Baby Browning. After a year of trials, I finally figured the same spring also had to work the sear, and mag release button. I ended up with a V shape. Over the next several years (on and off) I must have made several dozens reiterations on the shape and several dozens more for the right tensions for the three different functions, Filing and polishing tiny parts is tough on fingers. (I should be a heat treat expert by now) I finally got it all to work except the hammer is still a little light hitting so ignition is on and off iffy. But once it blows, it cycles fine, the trigger works great and the mag release slick as a whistle.
I'm not sure I have the fortitude to get to a reliable strike.

Marauder13 · Feb 1, 2025

thorborg said:
Not good to scratch spring parts, so resist using pliers with grip surface or really sharp edges. scratch lines may cause break points like when glass is scratched then snapped. Good luck on your spring, should be do-able with a little patients and perseverance.
View attachment 2029897not necessary but helpful

Be thankful you have the part to copy. I had no part or even able to find a picture of it. It was nothing like the Baby Browning. After a year of trials, I finally figured the same spring also had to work the sear, and mag release button. I ended up with a V shape. Over the next several years (on and off) I must have made several dozens reiterations on the shape and several dozens more for the right tensions for the three different functions, Filing and polishing tiny parts is tough on fingers. (I should be a heat treat expert by now) I finally got it all to work except the hammer is still a little light hitting so ignition is on and off iffy. But once it blows, it cycles fine, the trigger works great and the mag release slick as a whistle.
I'm not sure I have the fortitude to get to a reliable strike.
View attachment 2029888 View attachment 2029889

Good work!