HWHII Posted March 21, 2010 Share Posted March 21, 2010 I went to a demo yesterday on foring hand bells. The demonstrator showed us a die for his powerhammer he made out of a truck axle for shaping the bells. It was shaped like the horn of a anvil. He had tried several welding processes but after time the all ended up to fatique from the power hammer. Someone then suggested why not forge one out of some railroad track, either switch track or mine track which has a shorter profile than main rail. I did not think or to asked how to re harden it and temper it after forging it. Has anyone forged rail before? What type of quench did you use and what color did you draw it back too? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 Most line rail is 1085 (I think) while yard rail tends to have high vanadium and manganese content making it trickier. Line rail is simple HC steel so it isn't difficult to use in the home shop. I've used some from the flange or web for blades, hardened it in oil and tempered to suit the job like it was o-1. I don't know just what you have in mind but it sounds like it's got to take impact so I think tempering closer to spring blue might be the ticket but don't take MY guesstimate as knowledgeable on the specific subject. RR rail is high quality steel and probably more than good enough for power hammer dies once you've winkled out the correct heat treatment. Please keep us posted and don't forget we LOVE pics. Frosty the Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martensite Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 In "The Complete Modren Blacksmith " by Alexander G Weygers he has a number of chapters on what he states as trolley rail and how to treat them and shape into forging dies.As for a quench he suggest using oil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HWHII Posted March 22, 2010 Author Share Posted March 22, 2010 In "The Complete Modren Blacksmith " by Alexander G Weygers he has a number of chapters on what he states as trolley rail and how to treat them and shape into forging dies.As for a quench he suggest using oil. Thanks for this info! I have this book in my library. I bought it many years ago and forgot this information was in there. I suppose there is a lesson to be learned here. To go back and read your books every now and then, to remember things you don't know you have forgot. :huh: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted March 25, 2010 Share Posted March 25, 2010 Thanks for this info! I have this book in my library. I bought it many years ago and forgot this information was in there. I suppose there is a lesson to be learned here. To go back and read your books every now and then, to remember things you don't know you have forgot. I'm with you on the check out books from my own library thought. I have the Complete Modern Blacksmith literally about 20" from me and I know this info is in there but it's been too long since I read it and that bit of info isn't in the forefront of my mind. Darned if that isn't my favorite smithing/ tool making/ shop making/ whatever improvising/ how to books too. Frosty the Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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