nealj Posted December 11, 2008 Share Posted December 11, 2008 I'm tearing down an old grainery in the yard and burning the wood in an outside wood boiler. They certainly didn't spare the nails so whenever I clean out the ashes I get quite a few big old square nails. Anyone have a reason for me to save these? I saw the thread on horseshoe nail spoon jig but this would be a lot of spoons. I guess it's just the pack rat in me talking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabre Posted December 11, 2008 Share Posted December 11, 2008 i would keep them if i were you!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustyshackleford Posted December 11, 2008 Share Posted December 11, 2008 Sabre's suggestion stems from the proliferation of wrought iron nails in old buildings. it is quite possible that your nails are wrought, and therefore, of some value since there is effectively none being produced anymore. My suggestion is to keep them and if they turn out to be wrought, don't use them for a spoon, but something more "worthy" (entirely defined by you, may mean spoons). Test them by heating to a good yellow and playing with it. If it forges like butter, it's probably wrought Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blacksmith Jim Posted December 11, 2008 Share Posted December 11, 2008 There is a certain year abouts where they switched from wrought to mild steel for the nails. I am in the process of restoring a 100 year old Victorian, and they used square nails extensively in the place. A few seem like wrought, but most look like mild. I am saving all I can find, with the thought of re-using them in the future possibly.. You could send them my way if you can't find anything better to do with them :P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blafen Posted December 11, 2008 Share Posted December 11, 2008 tie em together and weld em into a billet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dablacksmith Posted December 11, 2008 Share Posted December 11, 2008 or sell um on ebay... for someone who is restoring old building... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Dean Posted December 11, 2008 Share Posted December 11, 2008 Doubtful that they are wrought as nails were being mass purduced nearly a 100yrs proir to your building. (giving your building is only a 100yrs old) I would keep them tho (kinda like you--pack rat! ) My biggest question is WHY THE HECK ARE YOU BURNING THE WOOD!?!?!? What a waste! If you don't want it, sale it! Bass Pro Shop, Cracker Barrel, and the like LOVE this kind of material! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Caradoc Posted December 11, 2008 Share Posted December 11, 2008 I agree with Thomas. Heck I would love to get my hands on some old lumber for some projects I have in mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt87 Posted December 11, 2008 Share Posted December 11, 2008 Mass production of nails started with machines stamping cut-nails from wrought iron tire stock, Thomas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Dean Posted December 11, 2008 Share Posted December 11, 2008 Mass production of nails started with machines stamping cut-nails from wrought iron tire stock, Thomas. Correct, but by the end of the 1800's steel was reaily available and cheaper than wrought. Easy enough to check for wrought tho...spark, nick and bend/break, or heat and forge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nealj Posted December 12, 2008 Author Share Posted December 12, 2008 I did a spark test and I believe the ones I tested are wrought so I guess I will rig up a screen or magnet to seperate them from the ash. I will have plenty by the time I am done with this so if anyone would like some and is in the neighborhood feel free to let me know, I will be more than willing to share. As for the wood, I am more into metal than wood and by heating with it I am killing two birds with 1 stone. The building has to be gone and it is less wood to cut. If someone wants some I will also share. In my experience with old lumber that I have tried to save is I generally end up burning the pile after a few years of wondering what I'm going to do with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug C Posted December 12, 2008 Share Posted December 12, 2008 here is some info from the University of Vermont Nails: Clues to a Building's History, hereandthere.org; Historic Nails and Appalachian Blacksmith Assoc; Square Nails. None seem to mention when the move from wrought iron to steel happened. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave English Posted December 12, 2008 Share Posted December 12, 2008 A wood carving companion at the Oceanside Senior Center gave me about 15 nails from a house in New Bedford that he had torn down some years ago. The house was built in 1704 and it survived the attack from the British that burned down about 2/3rds of the town. New Bedford was a first a whaling town, then a ship building center followed by fishing. The nails are in good condition, but not as well headed as you may think they should be, as if speed may have been important or the nail header was inexperienced. This was probably a typical situation and both may apply. The house was on Water and Waldon Streets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nealj Posted December 12, 2008 Author Share Posted December 12, 2008 We need help a thread about saving bent nails. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nealj Posted December 14, 2008 Author Share Posted December 14, 2008 I just realized my last post could sound rather sarcastic. I do appreciate the responses to my original question. My remark was more making fun of myself and was not trying to put anyone else down. Thank you for the info and ideas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jayco Posted December 14, 2008 Share Posted December 14, 2008 Nealj,there's nothing wrong with using bent nails. I think of them as 'small stock'. I don't see too many wrought iron or square nails here, but often find larger....say...#20 or # 30 nails in old barns and houses around here........Of course, these are the more modern 'mild steel' nails. When old barns are torn down and the scrap wood burned, there are usually bucketfuls of them to be collected. They can be used to make smaller rivets and.....square nails! One #20 nail will make 3 square nails(roughly equivalent to #8's) Another thing I discovered is that you can't just straighten them and use them.......especially after being in a fire..........they are far too soft for most uses. They must be packed(work hardened) by rehammering them into shape.....then they drive fine. I've used old #30 nails as links to repair smaller towing chains. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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