I'm trying a medley of hobbies this summer; railroad spikes are apparently easy to start metalworking with. I'm not going to steal them from the tracks in my city because that's both dangerous and illegal. Thanks for your input on this.
Perhaps a civil engineering company that manufactures them? Next time you're near a railway perhaps try and have a look and see if you spot any names... Given the likelihood of getting these though, I'm sure there must be easier things to start with...
The following link is results of a search for railroad spike on ebay: http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?from=R40&_trksid=m37&satitle=railroad+spikes&category0= There are many to choose from.
I was going to see if he lived near an NS railyard so I could find out who their local M&W supervisor was so he could contact them. It's usually not a big deal if you see some guys working on a track gang to give you a handful if you ask.
Sam, just an FYI. I am a Civil Engineer, and I know of no Civil Engineering firm that would manufacture anything. That isn't the nature of the profession.
Hmmm fair enough... Perhaps I'm using the term 'civil engineer' wrongly then. This is who I was thinking of at the time: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Costain
I live in Peoria, IL. There are old, unused railroads downtown, but I'm still pretty sure that it would be stealing (one of my friends almost got arrested trying to scavenge them to sell for copper). As for making them into knives, that's what I'm planning on doing: it seems like a fairly simple beginner project (although, I won't be able to twist the handle very well until I get a proper table... which won't happen until I have my own apartment / house). Better video of knife making What I'm going to be making it in
It doesn't look like NS is in Peoria or they are listed in the link (see below), but there are several others to choose from...Class I-III and various shortlines. I'd give one a call and ask for the track supervisor and explain your case to them. I'm sure they would give you a handful to get you started. http://maps.google.com/maps?num=100...&oi=local_group&resnum=1&ct=more-results&cd=2
Go to a junkyard and pull leafsprings off of half-ton and up trucks. The metal is very good for knifemaking and other projects that require some sturdy steel.
I almost hate to ask, but what's the etiquette with going to junkyards? Can I barge in, or do I have to ask someone first? If it's all junk, why do some places have dogs to protect it?
I don't think you'll be able to just barge in. There should be an office, just tell them what you are looking for and they'll help you find it.
I have some 5" and a few 4" that I got at an old mine in Colorado many years ago. They are all rusty and at least 50 years old. Are you interested? Some are collectable rusty. Please replay with "Railroad Spikes" as I am on some kind of junk email service. edited by ddp
Here's a couple of researched links.... the Harmer Steel company looks promising, as does the Atlantic Track one (for new AND used): http://www.thomasnet.com/heading.ht...101403&searchpos=5&cid=1125742&navsec=results or http://www.atlantictrack.com Note: the first link is just to obtain the address and phone number of Harmer Steel, as I don't think they deal via website.
