Using a chainsaw to cut rail road ties

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Remmy122

Remmy122

New Member
Jan 7, 2011
257
East NC
any concerns I should know about? They would be left over from the railroad.

If the chainsaw is a bad idea any other suggestions?

Also I know when I did my eagle scout project there was a concern about using railroad ties near water sources. Is this still true for todays railroad ties? my project wouldnt be near the water but I could see them being helpful in keeping my property from getting washed out by a small drainage creek in the back yard. Thanks!
 
Remmy122 said:
any concerns I should know about? They would be left over from the railroad.

If the chainsaw is a bad idea any other suggestions?

Also I know when I did my eagle scout project there was a concern about using railroad ties near water sources. Is this still true for todays railroad ties? my project wouldnt be near the water but I could see them being helpful in keeping my property from getting washed out by a small drainage creek in the back yard. Thanks!
Click to expand...

I've cut them with the chainsaw many times before. Just watch our for the metal "S" in the end and any leftover stakes.
 
The really tarry ones will make a mess of the saw. You need to cut them so just expect some time to be spent with solvent afterwards.
 
Sure to be some gravel in cracks too. Rough on a chain keep some files handy.
 
MasterMech said:
Doing a lot of this? Maybe a carbide chain....
Click to expand...

Have you seen the price tags on those?....lol
 
smokinjay said:
MasterMech said:
Doing a lot of this? Maybe a carbide chain....
Click to expand...

Have you seen the price tags on those?....lol
Click to expand...

Actually the new 3/8 Picco Duro is pretty reasonable. Was less than $50 a loop IIRC. Cutting ties I think it might be worth one as he'll be stopping to sharpen very frequently.
 
MasterMech said:
smokinjay said:
MasterMech said:
Doing a lot of this? Maybe a carbide chain....
Click to expand...

Have you seen the price tags on those?....lol
Click to expand...

Actually the new 3/8 Picco Duro is pretty reasonable. Was less than $50 a loop IIRC. Cutting ties I think it might be worth one as he'll be stopping to sharpen very frequently.
Click to expand...

That is a good price!
 
I have found the older ones cut pretty well even with a crappy chain. I just found the crappiest chain I had, sharpened it some and cut a few. I left the chian hanging on the garage wall incase I ever have to do it again. Ties are full of gravel and will ruin a good chain in short order. +1 on the cleaning afterward as well, that tar/creosote junk plugs everything.
 
Ties can have a lot of dirt or gravel in the cracks.
Use a skill saw with cheap blades or a carbide blade, still relatively cheap. It will only cut part way through. Cut from all 4 sides in a straight line. Then finish center part with hand saw.
I have done this with a about 6 ties and it goes fairly fast.
 
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