Anyone ever replace the flat coil spring used in the drill press return pivot arm? I have a great working 1940s vintage Royal drill press that needs the spring replaced. I've bent the broken end twice for a temp fix but it keeps breaking off. I guess this 80 year old spring steel doesn't last forever. lol.

I would rather replace with a new flat coil spring instead of McGuyver an external coil spring, wire and pulley setup to it. There is a vid on youtube that shows a setup like that.

Surely someone has found a suitable company that make replacement flat coil springs?

 

might want to have a look here Spiral & Constant Coil Spring Design | Wermke Spring Manufacturing Co.

 

If there is enough spring left, heat the last 1/2 inch (or whatever length you need to make the bend long enough to catch what it has to catch) to red hot and let it air cool. Better yet, get a cup of dry sand and stick it in there to cool a bit slower. Anyhow, that should anneal the steel enough to allow you to bend the hook you need. I do it frequently with rewind starter springs on B&S engines.