Hi guys I'm new here and this is my first post after lurking for a few days. I've never done any smith work. I know how to weld and I have made stock removal knives that were honestly poor but after reading the $50 knife shop one day I decided to try forging.
Heres the scenario I have about a 16 inch section of Railroad Rail and a Cast Iron weight off a small pump jack. the weight is about 2.5 inches thick and it's approx. 12" x 36"
I was thinking about cutting 2 sections from this weight and welding it into the side gaps of the Rail to make it beefier. Hopefully to take the ring out of it and add some weight so that the stand doesn't need to be so heavy.
Would this be a good idea or should I just cut and layer the weight until its just a stack of metal and then use some kind of steel for a face? I have some good steel strap that I could but up together and weld to the face but I'm kind of leaning towards beefing up the rail and wondered what you guys thought.
