"Oren" wrote in message
news
On Sun, 13 Apr 2008 20:42:45 -0800, "SteveB"
wrote:


"Zz Yzx" wrote in message
. ..
I need to crosscut a few railroad ties for landscaping, and maybe make
a couple crude half-lap joints. I've got a light-duty chain saw, an
old circular saw, and some hand saws.

Any advice? Better ways?

Thanks a heap,
-Zz

I'd use a chain saw and that's just because I have one. A good Bow Saw
might work, too. Watch out for nails. If they are very old, there will
be
a galvanized nail about two inches long with a head the size of a nickel.
The shaft of the nail will be quite a stout diameter. On the top of the
head is the last two numerals of the year the tie was installed. Called
"date nails". Crews could look and instantly tell how old the tie was and
if to replace. Date nails from the 1800s are very collectable.

Steve


I never found a galv nail from the 1800s, have you? G The nails are
collectable. I have a piece of track that is a small anvil. It was
made as a going away gift..22 year old gift and I still can't break
it. :-/

Yes, I have found them in ties used for corral posts in Northern Nevada, and
in some ties that were just laying around. I have also found them at yard
sales. Not sure if galvanized, but dates in the 1880 and 1890s.

Steve