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Wook Offline OP
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I was going to use railroad ties to build a retaining wall to level my side yard.

*Where do I get a drill bit long enough to penetrate a rr tie? What size bit do I use if I'm drilling to drive rebarr through the hole to connect multiple (up to three) rr ties toghether?
*Where do I get rebar and what do I cut the rebar with?
*What do I cut the rr ties with? Will the creosote mess up a chain saw? Should I use a circular saw or sawzall? A handsaw?

Thanks a bunch!!
Btw, rr ties are on sale for $5 each on S. Birchwood next Saturday via the AK RR.


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Bailey's Rentall on the Old Seward can hook you up with ties anytime for about that...

If you can wait a couple weeks I can loan you a few auger bits long enough for the job. And a HoleHog if you do have an adequate drill motor. Rebar should just barely be driveable with a big hammer...

Cutting them is nasty business...


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Originally Posted by Wook
I was going to use railroad ties to build a retaining wall to level my side yard.

*Where do I get a drill bit long enough to penetrate a rr tie? What size bit do I use if I'm drilling to drive rebarr through the hole to connect multiple (up to three) rr ties toghether?
*Where do I get rebar and what do I cut the rebar with?
*What do I cut the rr ties with? Will the creosote mess up a chain saw? Should I use a circular saw or sawzall? A handsaw?

Thanks a bunch!!
Btw, rr ties are on sale for $5 each on S. Birchwood next Saturday via the AK RR.



A sawzall isn't too terrible for cutting rebar, fresh blade and a vise, but of course that shear they make for the job is better, in a teeth rattling kind of way.

I've cut RR ties with a chain saw. It's very hard on the bar and chain and is nasty and toxic to boot. I'd advise minimizing the cutting however possible.


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You need one of these.

Irwin Industrial Tools 49912 I-100 3/4-Inch Auger Bit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004YO6T/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_qx3jxb53KG04C

Or these

MILWAUKEE ELEC TOOL 48-25-1752 1-3/4" Self Feed Bit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000F6SZW4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_5A3jxbGRCATXZ

***If you go this route, you will need a bit extension.


And one of these or similar

Milwaukee 1675-6 Hole Hawg 7.5 Amp 1/2-Inch Joist and Stud Drill (case not included) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004T16M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_2C3jxb7ZHYXD6




Originally Posted by 16penny
If you put Taco Bell sauce in your ramen noodles it tastes just like poverty
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Originally Posted by Jeff_O
Originally Posted by Wook
I was going to use railroad ties to build a retaining wall to level my side yard.

*Where do I get a drill bit long enough to penetrate a rr tie? What size bit do I use if I'm drilling to drive rebarr through the hole to connect multiple (up to three) rr ties toghether?
*Where do I get rebar and what do I cut the rebar with?
*What do I cut the rr ties with? Will the creosote mess up a chain saw? Should I use a circular saw or sawzall? A handsaw?

Thanks a bunch!!
Btw, rr ties are on sale for $5 each on S. Birchwood next Saturday via the AK RR.



A sawzall isn't too terrible for cutting rebar, fresh blade and a vise, but of course that shear they make for the job is better, in a teeth rattling kind of way.

I've cut RR ties with a chain saw. It's very hard on the bar and chain and is nasty and toxic to boot. I'd advise minimizing the cutting however possible.


Toxic?


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Creosote.



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Not sure how big of rebar we are talking, but for smaller a Hand grinder and a metal cutting blade will work fine. Harbor freight has cheap ones that I use a lot, and they do a good job even on harder steel. Use eye protection. miles


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Originally Posted by milespatton
Not sure how big of rebar we are talking, but for smaller a Hand grinder and a metal cutting blade will work fine. Harbor freight has cheap ones that I use a lot, and they do a good job even on harder steel. Use eye protection. miles


That's how I do it, too.

As to drilling the holes, I have some old, long auger bits for the hand augers that I just chuck up in a 1/2" hammer drill and go to town. A 3/4" hole for 3/4" rebar. Add sledgehammer, sweat, and eye protection.

I have never cut RR ties, so I have no idea whether a chainsaw would be appropriate or not.

Ed


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Originally Posted by smokepole
Creosote.


I figured, been around it all my life in power poles and the like. Cut power poles all the time with chainsaw.

Have never cut a RR tie that I can recall though. But I believe them to be of oak so wood would be harder.

I wouldn't call having to cut a creosote post toxic though... at least IMHO.


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Originally Posted by rost495
Originally Posted by smokepole
Creosote.




I wouldn't call having to cut a creosote post toxic though... at least IMHO.


They know things in California that regular mortals don't. wink laugh


Cutting them? Stihl chainsaws are not always the best choice....not when you can grab a Poulan for $90 off Amazon and not worry about fouling stuff up with creosote and grit.


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Quote
Have never cut a RR tie that I can recall though. But I believe them to be of oak so wood would be harder.


Lots of them, in fact most here are made of Sweet Gum. It is hard when dry though. miles


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Originally Posted by 16penny
If you put Taco Bell sauce in your ramen noodles it tastes just like poverty
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If you have both a metal cutting and a wood cutting blade then you can use the same machine to cut the ties and the rebar.


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Originally Posted by 6mm250
If you have both a metal cutting and a wood cutting blade then you can use the same machine to cut the ties and the rebar.


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Mike


Pedal Powered Power Hacksaw!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's awesome.


Originally Posted by 16penny
If you put Taco Bell sauce in your ramen noodles it tastes just like poverty
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About what I figured, nothing to worry about.


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I have used plenty of ties to build retaining walls and deck or shed foundations. Cutting them with a chainsaw has never been a problem.

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Originally Posted by akpls
I have used plenty of ties to build retaining walls and deck or shed foundations. Cutting them with a chainsaw has never been a problem.


This^^


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Originally Posted by rost495


About what I figured, nothing to worry about.


Basically. Where it's a problem is large-scale wood treatment operations with soil and groundwater contamination. Kind of like gasoline. You can work around it, spill it on yourself, or wash your hands with it but you don't want to live next door to a leaking tank of you have a well.



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Never did much with it without work gloves on, it'll burn your skin eventually so we just worked a hair smarter around it. Saved splinters too mostly.


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Chain saw is the way to go. I have built retaining walls up to 5 feet tall using used railroad ties. Watch out for embedded stones in the creosote especially on the ends and in any cracks. It's tough on chains and resharpening or replacement chains are needed. A cutoff blade on a 4 inch grinder works well for cutting rebar to length. I used 1/2 inch rebar with 2 foot 1/2 inch wide spade bit. You can go smaller on the size of rebar and spade bit. Spade bit needs to be sharpened occasionally also. I used what I had on hand. Keep the chain saw bar well oiled. Tom

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