[TheForge] Using rail was Treadle Hammer Anvil Stand

Tue Jun 10 09:49:26 EDT 2008

I usually cut a section from 6 to 8 inches in length.  Sometimes a little 
longer.  6 to 8 inches is easy to get up to forging temperature for the 
whole length.  I will also clamp a pair of vise grips to the handle a few 
inches back from the section of rail head.  This makes holding and working 
under the power hammer safer and easier to handle.  You put the vise grips 
on, or use a pair of tongs, just as you come out of the fire.  This way you 
can have one hand close to the work, without cooling the handle.  I also 
wear a heavy Kevlar glove when working this way.  That big hunk of metal 
gives off a lot of heat.

Dave

--------------------------------------------------
From: "robert hensarling" <rhrocker at hilconet.com>
Sent: Tuesday, June 10, 2008 8:38 AM
To: "Blacksmithing List Sponsored by ABANA" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
Subject: Re: [TheForge] Using rail was Treadle Hammer Anvil Stand

> Humm....Thanks Dave.  I have some 30 feet of rail here and there, but I 
> don't think I could handle a lot at one time.  How much rail do you attach 
> the handle to?
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "David E. Smucker" <davesmucker at hotmail.com>
> To: "Blacksmithing List Sponsored by ABANA" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Tuesday, June 10, 2008 6:14 AM
> Subject: Re: [TheForge] Using rail was Treadle Hammer Anvil Stand
>
>
>>I work mostly with the rail head.  I flame cut that from the rest of the 
>>rail and then weld on a handle.  (2 to 3 foot length of 5/8 or 3/4 bar.  I 
>>then heat to forging temperature and go at it under the power hammer.  In 
>>effect I make high carbon (1080) steel bar stock under the power hammer. 
>>I usually do several section when I get going on this so I have some stock 
>>on hand when I want to make a tool.
>>
>> Dave
>>
>> --------------------------------------------------
>> From: "robert hensarling" <rhrocker at hilconet.com>
>> Sent: Monday, June 09, 2008 10:25 PM
>> To: "Blacksmithing List Sponsored by ABANA" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
>> Subject: Re: [TheForge] Treadle Hammer Anvil Stand
>>
>>> Dave, how did you reduce it to the size you wanted?  Seems that torching 
>>> it would be rather messy, but then again I'm not good at all with a 
>>> torch.
>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>> From: "David E. Smucker" <davesmucker at hotmail.com>
>>> To: "Blacksmithing List Sponsored by ABANA" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
>>> Sent: Monday, June 09, 2008 8:27 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [TheForge] Treadle Hammer Anvil Stand
>>>
>>>
>>>> It all depends on what the rebar was made from and how.  A surprising 
>>>> amount of small dia. rebar has been and is being made directly from 
>>>> recycled railroad rail.  In the process the rail head is cut from the 
>>>> web and base, (flame cut) and the head rerolled into the rebar.  The 
>>>> Tee section that is removed is rerolled into Tee section fence posts. 
>>>> This rolling set up was common in the USA for a number of years until 
>>>> we ran out of most of the older scraped rail line.  The equipment may 
>>>> have been moved to the low labor cost market of Egypt.  Many older 
>>>> outdated manufacturing lines don't die, they just move to a lower cost 
>>>> labor market.
>>>>
>>>> Railroad rail makes good blacksmithing tools.  It is a 1080 steel with 
>>>> the addition of about 1 percent manganese.  I just made some drifts 
>>>> from rail.
>>>>
>>>> Dave
>>>>
>>>> --------------------------------------------------
>>>> From: <schade at acegroup.cc>
>>>> Sent: Monday, June 09, 2008 8:42 PM
>>>> To: "Blacksmithing List Sponsored by ABANA" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
>>>> Subject: Re: [TheForge] Treadle Hammer Anvil Stand
>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> On Jun 9, 2008, at 10:59 AM, ries wrote:
>>>>>>  I am guessing the rebuild demands on the rebar market will affect 
>>>>>> steel prices for a year or two.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Ries
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> I'm welding some simple trellises out of 3/8" rebar marked EGYPT.
>>>>>
>>>>> Seems crazy that they can haul rebar all the way from Egypt and make 
>>>>> money.
>>>>>
>>>>> Bob
>>>>>
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>
>
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