yea3114u

yes. colors are a general way to talk about the heat of the steel. but they are just general since one mans dark red could be another mans blood red or another mans cherry red. Also the ambient light effects the colors you are able to see. Standing outside on a sunny day with a hot piece of steel and it may look like a black heat but take it into a dark room and it will be faintly glowing. Check out this site talks a bit about colors. edit: oh and check out this article and thread as well LB0007 critical temps

Cool. Check out Ariel Salaverria's stuff if you haven't already. He makes his own micarta and has some how to's under the tutorial section. Look forward to seeing it finished.

In case you are wondering McMaster-Carr is what Donnie is referring to. Btw what you have there looks good. What scales you planning to use?

Just be careful at the railroad. Taking anything from it is against the law. Even if the spike is laying on the ground covered up by gravel.They frown upon trespassing. Safest bet would be to go there next time you see workers on it and ask them, they are usually pretty generous esp. if you throw a knife their way. But waiting isnt always and option is it ;)

This will be helpful to you as well to help determine what you have scrounged. BP0020 Spark Testing | Blueprints 000-100

Here is a start for you. BP0011 Common Railroad Steels | Blueprints 000-100 BP0002 Junk Yard and Rail Road Steels | Blueprints 000-100 Become friendly with the search function it will help you immensely.:)

Go to the Central Virginia Blacksmith Guild website here HOME and click How to Tips. You will find his anvil repair PDF there. Might also want to check this thread out http://www.iforgeiron.com/forum/f83/anvil-refacing-2466/