James,

Its time for me to eat some crow...and happily learn more.   Chris Chapman
forwarded me a email on this subject and informs "us" that the door strip is
ordinary bronze (not phosphor bronze) and about 0.006" thick.

Chris Chapman quotes:

"*As long as the strip can bear the load without exceeding its elastic
limit, that will be fine.  *A 1/4" strip, 13 thou thick at 10 lbs is about
3,000 psi.  Even cast material will give you >25,000 psi yield strength.  *Any
difference in the springyness will be taken up when the
horizontal balance is set.  *We have used SS safety razor blades as spring
suspensions in verticals quite OK."

"However, I note that McMaster do supply the 510 alloy in small sheets for
about $20.  This is the very high strength springy phosphor bronze 98,000 to
154,000 psi yield, but it is difficult to machine.  You could probably coat
it with candle wax, use a scriber to make lines and then etch the shape with
acid. Maybe vinegar? I haven't tried it, but it will likely work.  Metal
acetates are mostly soluable.  Alternatively, you electolytically etch the
line?"

"KS metals also supply 10 and 18 thou thick 430 SS 1/2" strip.  KS metals
supply 8 thou PB sheet."

The sentences in bold letters abover are the real clinchers.  I'll forward
the 0.014" thick phosphor bronze by mail.  It can be easily be
cut up with hand shears and rough edges deburred with a file.

Take care, Meredith

On Sun, Aug 24, 2008 at 10:59 PM, JAMES ALLEN  wrote:

>  Thanks Meredith, I will check.  Perhaps some old fashioned hardware
> stores or scrap metal dealers.  If I find some I will make it available to
> all who wants some.  Again, thanks for all your help and advice.
> James Allen
>
>
>
>
James,
 

Its time for me to eat some crow...and happily learn more.   Chris Chapman forwarded me a email on this subject and informs "us" that the door strip is ordinary bronze (not phosphor bronze) and about 0.006" thick.

 
Chris Chapman quotes:
 


"As long as the strip can bear the load without exceeding its elastic limit, that will be fine.  A 1/4" strip, 13 thou thick at 10 lbs is about 3,000 psi.  Even cast material will give you >25,000 psi yield strength.  Any difference in the springyness will be taken up when the

horizontal balance is set.  We have used SS safety razor blades as spring suspensions in verticals quite OK."
 


"However, I note that McMaster do supply the 510 alloy in small sheets for about $20.  This is the very high strength springy phosphor bronze 98,000 to 154,000 psi yield, but it is difficult to machine.  You could probably coat it with candle wax, use a scriber to make lines and then etch the shape with acid. Maybe vinegar? I haven't tried it, but it will likely work.  Metal acetates are mostly soluable.  Alternatively, you electolytically etch the line?"

 
"KS metals also supply 10 and 18 thou thick 430 SS 1/2" strip.  KS metals supply 8 thou PB sheet."
 
The sentences in bold letters abover are the real clinchers.  I'll forward the 0.014" thick phosphor bronze by mail.  It can be easily be
cut up with hand shears and rough edges deburred with a file.

 
 
Take care, Meredith


On Sun, Aug 24, 2008 at 10:59 PM, JAMES ALLEN <jcallen1@...........> wrote:



Thanks Meredith, I will check.  Perhaps some old fashioned hardware stores or scrap metal dealers.  If I find some I will make it available to all who wants some.  Again, thanks for all your help and advice.


James Allen