I got my new forge ready and I'd like to make a new crossbow with a steel prod. I was able to put my hands on a decent springsteel (5160) from a semi-truck leafspring blade... they are hefty though (about nearly 1/2 of an inch thick) and I know it's waaaaaay too much for a crossbow. You think it would be possible to forge it to about maybe 3/16 to 1/4 of an inch thick and re-temper it after ? Is there someone who has done that already ?
BTW, I want to get a decent power out of it and cock it with a goatfoot maybe (in the ranges on 400 lbs maybe). Also, I know all about Alchem and Slobows that sells prods but I like to do things entirely by myself.
Any advices would be appreciated !