New challange! Old problem!

[G.T.]

Hello to all! Well, yesterday and today were ""S#&@ or get off the pot days!" Sooo, we got started! I have enlisted our moderators help again for the pictures, and a slight narrative is as follows:
1) rough cutting stock to length with sheet metal shears
2) busting #3 edge with knife sharpener and 220 W/D
3) scribing radius from original, 3 different
4) grinding radius to final
5) view of strip ends
6) view of strip ends
7) drilling fixture and result
8) result
9) result
10) four ends with appropriate holes and slots
11) rivet set up prior
12) rivet set up post
13) annealing
14) result annealed anchor ends
15) spring wound to solid in fixture
16) spring loose set and relieved of tension
17) spring insertion into drum
18) spring preload while in drum
19) assembled drum and test scale...

Final thoughts? Well, when installed and preloaded, it measures approx. eight pounds at locked position, compared to ten pounds on the originals and probably six pounds on the repros? To get the extra two pounds I would have to thicken the bridal spring approx. .005" and this would cost an additional $400.00... not for now anyway..... Busted a few fingernails, ............but no blood... (cuz I broke all the sharp edges is why?!) All in all, I'm very happy with the result... The quality will improve as we make more of them?....And make some subtle changes as we go along! BTW, just got back from testing the drum, fed all 32 with out any issues! ... ... Best to all, til...lat'r....GT....