Making stuff from junk

[David R. Pennington]

Old wrought iron wagon wheel hub band and plowshare into hatchet. It looks like it welded up nice but still a little hammer work, filing and heat treatment needed. I like welding them up this way sandwiched. I feel like I can draw the temper just a scosh harder than all steel.

[Robert Wolfe]

Nice - I'll have to give that a shot.

[Greg Pennell]

I’ve a small stack of plowshares in my stash...good to know they can be useful!

Greg

[David R. Pennington]

They are generally good steel. I pick them up when I can at the flea markets. The wrought iron makes the job easier as it will stand more heat and protects the steel somewhat while you’re welding.

[Bob Roller]

I am really good at making junk from perfectly good materials and have been
doing it for years.

Bob Roller

[David R. Pennington]

I’ve done my share of that also Bob. I just don’t take pictures of those jobs. The resident blacksmith at Heritage Farm recently did a big spring cleaning of the blacksmith shop. He said he gathered up a great pile of “abortions” tucked away all over the shop. (Projects aborted by apprentice smiths in which the material is ruined.)

[heelerau]

That  will be a pretty neat job. I have a large collection of railway spike and some other bits and pieces. I would think old circular saw and chaff cutter blades would make good steel for axes too.

[will payne]

That's a really nice axe head. Thanks for sharing. That kind of gives me some ideas with a medal trade point.
Will

[eggwelder]

Old thread i know. Make these from junk- old crowbars, RR spikes, Corolla springs, etc

[Hungry Horse]

Somebody gave me a couple of long sections of sawmill band saw blade. Boy, that and a couple of feet of old iron tire off of a buggy, sure make a nice laminated knife blade. It welds up easily, and is flexible, and holds a good edge.

  Hungry Horse

[heelerau]

Nice to see my axes come out like your two bottom ones. I have lots of railway spikes to practise with fortunately

[Bob Roller]

Nice to see  ;Dmy axes come out like your two bottom ones. I have lots of railway spikes to practise with fortunately

Was this with permission from the railroad or? . I remember reading about
Trains being derailed so guns could be made from the steel somewhere in the world.
Bob Roller

[longcruise]

An area i hunt is bordered by tracks.   It’s surprising how many are lying between and alongside the tracks.   

[eggwelder]

My spikes came from decommissioned CN rail lines. Piles of them, couldn`t take them all

[heelerau]

Bob I think you are referring to Afganistan in the days of the British Raj.  The trucks bringing anhydrous ammonia to the plant where I work, would bring a bag of railway spikes that were from a rusted out 44 gal drum at the rail head about 20 miles south of the plant.  I will in fact fire up the forge early next week when my brother in law comes to stay for a day or two . More hoof picks and I will finish off the axes.

[David R. Pennington]

I have a bucket of spikes given to me by a rail road employee. Best use I’ve found for them is to make nail headers. I usually case harden the business end.