Macadaciouse Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 Anyone know the carbon content/alloys in the "3" or "w" shaped pieces of 1/2" stock you find around old track? I don't even know what function they play with the track, does anyone even know what I'm talking about? If I had to guess I'd think they're something like track keys to hold track down, they're roughly shaped like the aforementioned letters, albeit they are a little elongated and misshapen on one side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new guy Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 try to add pictures. i think i know what you are talking about, but i do not know what they are called. people who know more can tell you more info. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Macadaciouse Posted May 21, 2009 Author Share Posted May 21, 2009 The only one I had on hand has already been hammered beyond recognition and combing the internet hasn't turned up much, I was just wondering if anyone had ever tried turning one into an axe blade before. Main concern is how to harden and temper the steel (if that's even possible). I don't know whether to use water, brine or oil and I'm not sure how funny alloys affect the color drawn in a temper. Anyone have any experience? I usually stick with files for blades, this was an experiment born out of boredom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy k Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 Everyone seems to wonder what the RR parts are called, Why not just do a little research by checking into the RR suppliers - most of their sites have pictures with the actual names of the items in question. Also maybe a e-mail to them about what steels they are made from - as they should know first hand. Tell them you doing some blacksmithing and have some and would like some info on the composition. - JK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Macadaciouse Posted May 21, 2009 Author Share Posted May 21, 2009 Most industrial websites require you fill out 3 pages of forms to get in contact with anyone and the one or two I reached in person didn't have a clue what I was talking about over the phone, I'll see if I can dig up another one for the purpose of pictures... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unkle spike Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 (edited) Rail Anchors?A&K Railroad -- Tie Plates, Rail Anchors, Gauge Rods, Fasteners Or here?http://www.ecplaza.net/tradeleads/seller/5373471/rail_clips.html Edited May 21, 2009 by unkle spike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Macadaciouse Posted May 21, 2009 Author Share Posted May 21, 2009 Exactly! Rail anchors! Thank you so much, I'll try the industrial websites again. Sorry to bug everyone for information that was online, I'm keeping that website on tab. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 They're between 1040 and 1060. Thanks Jeff, I spent more than an hour searching for a pic of the things and ended up taking a pic of one I have. Of course it helps to use the correct name in a search. Rail anchor. . . Rail anchor. . . Rail anchor. Frosty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Hale Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 There is a bp o n here that details content of common railroad steels did youi check there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new guy Posted May 22, 2009 Share Posted May 22, 2009 (edited) does anyone know what tie plates are? i think they are pretty hard. i jsut did a search and no good answers came up. thanks for reading. edit: i read up and it turns ou they are about .80 percent carbon. just thought you would like to know. Edited May 22, 2009 by new guy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyo Posted May 22, 2009 Share Posted May 22, 2009 Here are some similar pieces I found on my recent outing. I a few of the 3 shaped ones of varying thickness: Some channel ones: And the whole haul: And yes, the tie plates are really loud so I think I'm going to keep on searching for another ASO option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted May 22, 2009 Share Posted May 22, 2009 Tie plates are mild steel but are absolutely perfect for mounting a rail anvil or other rail tools. Rail makes outstanding stake type tools for specialty forming. They make good chisel plates as well. Frosty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nitewatchman Posted May 23, 2009 Share Posted May 23, 2009 Most Plates we make are A36 or AISC C1020. There are a few that are AISC C1040. Rail is close to AISC C1080. nitewatchman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted May 23, 2009 Share Posted May 23, 2009 There you are buddy, I was hoping you'd chime in with the real low down on the skinny. Frosty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nitewatchman Posted May 23, 2009 Share Posted May 23, 2009 Frosty I have been out of contact for several weeks. I was in China for a couple of those weeks and the amount of new construction there is incredible. They are also having a Stimulus Program going on for 3 Trillion Yuan (1USD = 6.8 Yuan). The entire capacity of the Chinese Railway industry, which is about 3 times the North American industry is consumed on domestic High Speed Rail Projects. The startup time for the Stimulus Package from the time they decided to proceed to the time concrete started pouring was 4 months. We are now involved in almost the same thing in Brazil was heavy haul freight. In other countries money is actually being spent putting people to work and money in circulation, here it just seems to be disappearing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panzertank27 Posted May 24, 2009 Share Posted May 24, 2009 after browsing this post i went on walk with my son down a old track line that is semi-dismanteled. i scored large. heaps of spikes for practice, a couple of plates and rail anchors too. there is lots more scattered all around but wow that stuff is heavy and three year olds cant carry much.............. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panzertank27 Posted May 24, 2009 Share Posted May 24, 2009 DISCLAIMER .. i was just informed of the illegality of taking rail spikes even if left behind long after it was dismanteled... so the forementioned story was just a dream. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete46 Posted May 24, 2009 Share Posted May 24, 2009 The heavy dreams are the best kind:). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Macadaciouse Posted May 25, 2009 Author Share Posted May 25, 2009 (edited) Forgot to mention I got a hold of a technician who ultimately said anchors can be made of all sorts of steel depending on the make and era. Eh, experimenting is part of the fun. For ASO, ever think of welding a tie plate to a piece of 10" I beam? It wouldn't be great but it's an aso we're talking about and the added mass should help keep down the ring. Edited May 25, 2009 by Macadaciouse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 China eh? Welcome back. I won't even ask if you stopped in and visited Philip, I hear china's even larger than Alaska. I don't know what to say about stimulus packages, no matter where they're happening. WE have to pay for them no matter what, not the . . . BLEEPING STINKING BLEEPS spending it. :mad: Where it's going here is pretty clear. Did you hear our glorious leader took at 500 people to the G-20 conferences in his entourage? Limos, helicopters, chefs, docs, etc. etc. Times aren't so tough on someone else's dime eh? At least other folk will have SOMETHING but debt to show. FrostyFrosty I have been out of contact for several weeks. I was in China for a couple of those weeks and the amount of new construction there is incredible. They are also having a Stimulus Program going on for 3 Trillion Yuan (1USD = 6.8 Yuan). The entire capacity of the Chinese Railway industry, which is about 3 times the North American industry is consumed on domestic High Speed Rail Projects. The startup time for the Stimulus Package from the time they decided to proceed to the time concrete started pouring was 4 months. We are now involved in almost the same thing in Brazil was heavy haul freight. In other countries money is actually being spent putting people to work and money in circulation, here it just seems to be disappearing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimbob Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 another use for the tie plates is to weld them together for a work table top, that is if you can find a bunch of them in your dreams Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CBrann Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 I use a tie plate for a bench anvil... for light riveting and straigtening. also for making hammer wedges and putting the cold chisel to them. A friend of mine deals in railroad stuff, memorabilia, so what I get from is legal. Weird rules for rr stuff isn't there? I understand they don't want people pulling up the rails for scrap money but still... when they tear up old rails to lay new rails.. it just lays there in piles for decades..... I would think a tie plate would make a great traveling anvil, cut it down a bit, put spikes through the holes on a good solid stump.... not perfect... must get another plate and stump and experiment...... or cut and drift square holes to hold stake tools.... so many possibilities... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlotte Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 There is another plate that they use as part of putting a switch together. It is roughly an inch thick and makes a great holder for anvil stakes and other tools as well as a great cuttin block. When you look at it you can see that it s forged for two rails to lay side byside. I lost mine but if I can find another one I'll weld it to my bench. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimbob Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 There is another plate that they use as part of putting a switch together. It is roughly an inch thick and makes a great holder for anvil stakes and other tools as well as a great cuttin block. When you look at it you can see that it s forged for two rails to lay side byside. I lost mine but if I can find another one I'll weld it to my bench. I've got one of those I was thinking of putting legs on it for an anvil stand:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeaverDamForge Posted June 1, 2009 Share Posted June 1, 2009 (edited) Anyone know the carbon content/alloys in the "3" or "w" shaped pieces of 1/2" stock you find around old track? I don't even know what function they play with the track, does anyone even know what I'm talking about? If I had to guess I'd think they're something like track keys to hold track down, they're roughly shaped like the aforementioned letters, albeit they are a little elongated and misshapen on one side.If you watch the track as a train rolls over it, it moves up and down in the gravel (ballast) a good inch. The rail anchors keep the ties from moving around (proper spacing). Where it's going here is pretty clear. Did you hear our glorious leader took at 500 people to the G-20 conferences in his entourage? Limos, helicopters, chefs, docs, etc. etc. Times aren't so tough on someone else's dime eh? FrostyDid that come from stimulus money or was it just 'your gov't at work'? Almost any money spent domestically stimulates the economy, hopefully Britain will reciprocate on the money spent there. We do have conferences here occasionally... Edited June 1, 2009 by BeaverDamForge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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