Getting Holes punched into leaf springs

[bigstu]

Can anyone tell me if its safe to get new holes punched into leaf springs at an engineers or should i get them drilled?
planning to do coon swap on hilux punching is cheaper than drilling.
anyone opinions or thoughts would be great.
Thanks Stu

[coxsy]

never tried to punch spring steel,

[wopass]

never tried to punch spring steel,

would be a bit rough on the knuckles

[coxsy]

have 50 ton punch shear and cropper built in sheringham norfolk, at work

[ski]

i think you would find punching the holes leaves fine fracture cracks around the edge of the holes so in turn weakens the steel.the engineer will problerly smash this punch on one or 2 holes and might ask you to pay as they are worth about $300.00 each.Drilling would be the way to go.Just my 2 cents worth from a broken ass engineer.

[bigstu]

The main thing im asking for is with punching them could it make them brittle or hair line cracks form from a pin? being rammed thru the leaf? opposed to a drill cutting its way thru?

[bigstu]

oops watchn rove uv aswered my question thanks
i guess ill be getn them drilled
What sorta price would i expect to pay to get 4 leaves drilled?
Thanks Stu

[DieselBoy]

After helping Vvega do his coon swap, the drilling is a non issue.

His trick, was to buy a masonary drill bit (hardened tip) and re-sharpen the end so it was suitable for drilling steel.

Using the baby drill press I have at work, the same drill bit did the whole job with out any further sharpening!!!!!!!!!

Was a pretty clever trick i thought

[Pedro]

After helping Vvega do his coon swap, the drilling is a non issue.

His trick, was to buy a masonary drill bit (hardened tip) and re-sharpen the end so it was suitable for drilling steel.

Using the baby drill press I have at work, the same drill bit did the whole job with out any further sharpening!!!!!!!!!

Was a pretty clever trick i thought

you can drill holes into files with masonary bits, have used them for drilling into hardened pinion shafts in the past, very effective!!! just don't run them fast.

pedro

[Landy Rover]

I successfully drilled holes in a toyota spring, three leaves and about 3.5in from the originall. Problem was it snapped in half at the originall hole which I never filled. But didnt want to weld it up as thought that would weaken it. Was out at Costa when it snapped, luckily Goldie had a Jackaroo spring which got me home

[bigstu]

Well calving is over so ive pulled my spring packs apart and have marked where im to drill the holes im going for 180mm back so i only have to block down the rearmount not move it back as well
ive made a discovery that may be of interest to anyone still doing the coon conversion only the main leaves need drilled not the 2nds if you turn the 2nds around they sit exactly where they used to its been my understanding that ive always had to redrill main and 2nd leaves perhaps only the case if drilling 113-115mm back.
hope this helps someone else out.
thanks Stu