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Where could I go to LEGALLY obtain some railroad spikes?

Discussion in 'All other topics' started by metave, Jul 5, 2008.

  1. metave

    metave Member

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    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.
     
  2. ddp

    ddp Moderator Staff Member

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    try hardware store & railway company
     
  3. sammorris

    sammorris Senior member

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    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...
     
  4. growler33

    growler33 Member

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  5. metave

    metave Member

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    I'm pretty sure those are stolen, though.
     
  6. LOCOENG

    LOCOENG Moderator Staff Member

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  7. ddp

    ddp Moderator Staff Member

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    maybe you can get some spike from loco as he is a train engineer & he has spike hair too!!!!
     
  8. LOCOENG

    LOCOENG Moderator Staff Member

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    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.
     
  9. GrandpaBW

    GrandpaBW Active member

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    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.
     
    Last edited: Jul 16, 2008
  10. sammorris

    sammorris Senior member

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  11. metave

    metave Member

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    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
     
  12. GrandpaBW

    GrandpaBW Active member

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    No, you're not using it wrong. That is a construction company with civils on their staff.
     
    Last edited: Jul 16, 2008
  13. LOCOENG

    LOCOENG Moderator Staff Member

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  14. Auslander

    Auslander Senior member

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    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.
     
  15. metave

    metave Member

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    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?
     
  16. LOCOENG

    LOCOENG Moderator Staff Member

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    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.
     
  17. DrSyntax

    DrSyntax Member

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    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
     
    Last edited: Aug 7, 2008
  18. bryguy12

    bryguy12 Member

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  19. ddp

    ddp Moderator Staff Member

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    DrSyntax, no email posting as per forum rules, post edited.
     

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