Spring tool

[Switchblade]

I know they are various ways of replacing a main spring on a single action, from a vice and pliers to more elaborate methods. I thought I would show a simple tool I made to make it easier for me. I used a 5/8" dowel cut a slot and chucked it in my drill press. Use a 1/2" if that is the largest your drill press will take, might consider cutting slot only as wide as necessary.

 

[kendog]

Simple and smart. I have one I made similar, out of drill rod, that doubles as a Rem 37 bolt/firing pin assembly tool.

 

[41Dude]

Thank you for the Ruger tip.

Sort of same problem for Glock.
Not my video. But it shows how to replace the striker cups on a Glock. Before I saw this video, I drilled a hole in some scrap wood to hold the striker upright. It helps to have a third hand

 

[contender]

Good idea Switchblade.

Not everybody has a lathe, or such. One easy to make tool,, is to go to a thrift shop,, buy an old, heavy fork,, cut off all but (2) tines,, (leave the middle ones,) and even shorten the ones you leave. The strut will easily go between the tines, and the handle makes it easy to maneuver. Compress the spring, add the keeper, and a pin. Done.

 

[hittman]

Title spring tool made me think we were gonna get lawn mower pictures

 

[contender]

Lawnmower pictures!!!!!

This IS a Ruger Forum. And I don't think Bill ever built any lawnmowers.

 

[dobegrant.45]

Practical idea, will fabricate one, thanks

 

[eveled]

Good idea for sure. Thanks.

I recently bought a press for leather work. It came with punches and stuff. It wasn’t expensive.

I use it to set rivets and snaps on holsters and sheaths. Also to put bachelor buttons on my jeans for suspenders. You can use a hammer, but a slow steady push is better than a sharp blow.

It would work well in this application too.

 

[GasGuzzler]

I use an exotic tool called a fork.

 

[Hondo44]

I graduated from the fork when I got older. Just use vice grip pliers. I turn the jaw adjustment knob till the jaws with handle locked are just wide enough for the spring strut to pass thru. Used sideways the vise grip pliers fill your hand and provides all the leverage you'll ever need.

 

[Switchblade]

I know they are various ways of replacing a main spring on a single action, from a vice and pliers to more elaborate methods. I thought I would show a simple tool I made to make it easier for me. I used a 5/8" dowel cut a slot and chucked it in my drill press. Use a 1/2" if that is the largest your drill press will take, might consider cutting slot only as wide as necessary.


View attachment 95744

Thanks to all for the likes. If anyone makes one, let me know how it worked for you.

 

[oldfogey]

I use the “fork” method

 

[Switchblade]

Haven't tried that but I've heard it works well.