Nomad Posted May 29, 2007 Share Posted May 29, 2007 A while back, I stumbled on a plan to make the jaws of a set of tongs hold a RR spike but can't seem to find it again. I have found the blueprint that will grab the shank but I'd like something that holds the head. Also, I recently I came into a couple pair of tongs that have a very loose rivet. My thought is to heat the joint and then lightly peen the rivet. Is this the right track? Nomad PS: Anyone in the WA/OR area take a look at my post on tailgating....:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyler Murch Posted May 29, 2007 Share Posted May 29, 2007 A pair of V-bit bolt (aka goose neck) tongs with the side notches on the bit so that stock can be held perpendicular are great for holding RR spikes by the head. blacksmithsdepot.com sells them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyler Murch Posted May 29, 2007 Share Posted May 29, 2007 About the loose rivet. Grind one of the heads off the rivet, then punch the rivet out, look at the holes. Replace with a new rivet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted May 29, 2007 Share Posted May 29, 2007 Why not just apply a ball peen hammer to the rivet a little at a time to tighten it. You did it originally to form the rivet. It can be done cold or with a little heat, your choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J W Bennett Posted May 29, 2007 Share Posted May 29, 2007 As the Glenn said just tighten the rivet up by peening it hot or cold. I don't like to work metal cold so I would do it hot but either will work. Bill Epp's makes a nice pair of tongs to hold the head of a spike out of an old pair of nippers. I made mine from a $2 set bought at a flea market. Basicaly you split one bit and shape it to the protruding side of the head and shape the other bit to hold the flat side. These are some old pics but you should be able to figure it out. John P.S. you can do it without taking the tongs apart:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy k Posted May 29, 2007 Share Posted May 29, 2007 John - Good Idea on the splitting of one of the bits,.... three points of contact will help hold firm. - JK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Feukair Posted May 30, 2007 Share Posted May 30, 2007 I made a set of tongs like these ones. Just make sure you make the shanks big enough to clear the head of the spike. Tong Article Lt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted May 30, 2007 Share Posted May 30, 2007 These IForgeIron Blueprints on tongs may give you some ideas BP0097 Brazing Tongs BP1004 Woop Tongs BP0303 Swivle Link Universal Tongs BP0080 Tongs 02 BP0228 Tong Rack BP0083 Tongs 03 BP0098 Tongs 100 BP0099 Tongs 200 BP0219 Pincher Tongs BP0015 Tong Rivets BP0079 Tongs 01 BP0314 RR Spike Tongs BP1006 Tong Clips Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nomad Posted May 30, 2007 Author Share Posted May 30, 2007 Thanks everyone. JWB, I think those were the pictures I have seen because that is exactly what I had in mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ARKtest Posted August 1, 2015 Share Posted August 1, 2015 I know this post has been sitting around for a while but I wanted to add. My mentor showed me a set of RR spike. tongs he had aquired from an unknown source, he thinks an old railroad company due to the company like stampings. Its similar to the aforementioned nippers in the sense that it has one side that is split to wrap around the spikes head, but the difference is that instead of pushing against the flat side it wraps around the flat side in front of the head and pushes up against the head with a round stock like end. It forces the spike up into the U like bit and holds it better than any other railroad spike tongs I've seen. I regretfully didn't grab a picture but if there is interest I'll draw something up before I set out to make a pair. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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