What's the best way to cut a coil spring?

[RonJ]

I have a kit of several springs and I want to experiment until I get the right pull weight on a Marlin trigger. Even good quality wire snippers have difficulty cutting the springs.

 

[RonJ]

I have a kit of several springs and I want to experiment until I get the right pull weight on a Marlin trigger. Even good quality wire snippers have difficulty cutting the springs.

 

[john traveler]

Dremel tool with abrasive cutoff wheel. Grind a deep notch and snap it off.

 

[toroflow1]

I've always used Craftsman side-cutters! What in the world did people do back before Dremel tools?!?!

 

[walkinghorse]

What in the world did people do back before Dremel tools?!?!

Messed things up SLOWER!

 

[Bassamatic]

Originally posted by john traveler:
Dremel tool with abrasive cutoff wheel. Grind a deep notch and snap it off.

That's it.

I never knew there was a world without Dremels.

 

[RonJ]

Actually I tried side cutters and they cut pretty well, but they leave the coils distorted.

 

[sar4937]

If you use the Dremel tool slip a piece of sheet metal under the coil incase you cut through too far and nick the next coil.

 

[RonJ]

Originally posted by sar4937:
If you use the Dremel tool slip a piece of sheet metal under the coil incase you cut through too far and nick the next coil.

Thanks for the tip.

 

[msj348]

I just use side-cutters, but I also file and stone the cut smooth and parallel to the surface it will bear against.