Scrap steel ID

D

DanH45

Joined
Feb 12, 2015
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248
What steel are rail road spikes?

Railroad tie plates?

Heavy cable?

Large band saw blades (commercial size)?

Does anyone know with reasonable certainty?
 
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What steel are rail road spikes? - Most are between .30 and .50 carbon consider them low carbon 10XX steel. The HC spikes have the highest carbon content, but still too low for a working knife. They make OK novelty knives.

Railroad tie plates? - Tie plates aren't hardened in use, so they are usually mild steel. probably 1030 or less.

Heavy cable? -Cable comes in so many types, it is hard to guess. Most "plow steel" and "X, XX, or XXX" types are high strength cable and vary between .60 carbon and .90.

Large band saw blades (commercial size)? - The huge wood cutting band saw blades used in mills are the best bet for guessing the steel. Almost all are 15N20. The steel can be had for scrap price or free if you go to a mill or sawyer.


RR spring clips are also good knife steel. They are usually equivalent to 1070. The track is usually between 1070 and 1080.
 
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Most of what I have read indicates RR spikes have between .15% and .30% carbon.
 
Thanks Stacy & Bo, not necessarily looking for knife steel, but mini anvils, swage blocks, tooling, etc...
 
Just a quick update - checked my info - older low carbon spikes will have less than .12% carbon and the real old ones are said to be wrought iron. The newer spikes are spec. at less than .30% carbon.
 
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