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I need to cut a railroad tie to finish a project... Login/Join 
Res ipsa loquitur
Picture of BB61
posted
I don't have a chainsaw. Any suggestions on hand tools or do I need a power saw? If so, what would be my best options?


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Posts: 12664 | Registered: October 13, 2002Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Internet Guru
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I've cut them with a chainsaw without issue. Wear long sleeves...the creosote is quite a skin irritant.
 
Posts: 2084 | Registered: April 06, 2013Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Res ipsa loquitur
Picture of BB61
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^^^^
What size chainsaw blade do you have?


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Posts: 12664 | Registered: October 13, 2002Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Since the op stated that he doesn't have a chainsaw ...A reciprocating saw will work . If it's just one cut a tree saw will get the job done .
 
Posts: 4423 | Location: Down in Louisiana . | Registered: February 27, 2009Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Back, and
to the left
Picture of 83v45magna
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I made three full cuts to rail ties with a bow saw doing landscaping at my parents house when I was 23. I remember it took freaking forever and I never wanted to do it again.

A you-tube video shows a guy make cuts on four sides with a circular saw, then finishing up with a reciprocating saw with a long blade for the center that the circular blade wouldn't reach. If I had to do it today with no chainsaw, this'd be it.
 
Posts: 7487 | Location: Dallas | Registered: August 04, 2011Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Lawyers, Guns
and Money
Picture of chellim1
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quote:
Originally posted by bdylan:
I've cut them with a chainsaw without issue. Wear long sleeves...the creosote is quite a skin irritant.

I have too.
Watch for the inserted metal which usually goes in the ends. Watch for any remaining nails.
Any blade size 16-20" would be fine.



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Posts: 24881 | Location: St. Louis, MO | Registered: April 03, 2009Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Dances With
Tornados
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Check into renting a chain saw, check your local Home Depot, many have a Tool Rental department.

Home Depot Tool Rental

It shows they rent cordless, electric and gas chainsaws.

Personally, I’d rather rent one. Use it, take it back, walk away. Nothing to maintain, get started, store fuel, mess with dull chains, etc.
.
 
Posts: 12065 | Location: Near Hooker Oklahoma, closer to Slapout Oklahoma | Registered: October 26, 2009Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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quote:
Originally posted by OKCGene:
Check into renting a chain saw, check your local Home Depot, many have a Tool Rental department.

Home Depot Tool Rental

It shows they rent cordless, electric and gas chainsaws.

Personally, I’d rather rent one. Use it, take it back, walk away. Nothing to maintain, get started, store fuel, mess with dull chains, etc.
.


Even if you have a chainsaw, consider renting/borrowing as railroad ties are nasty. If the cut isn't going to be seen, a recip or old circular saw will do - and if you do a good job, it won't look bad
 
Posts: 3352 | Location: IN | Registered: January 12, 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Wear a mask when you cut.
 
Posts: 17706 | Location: Stuck at home | Registered: January 02, 2015Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Age Quod Agis
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If you are in Central Florida, I can cut it for you.



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Posts: 13044 | Location: Central Florida | Registered: November 02, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Optimistic Cynic
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For just two cuts (you know, when you screw up the first one), renting is your best bet. And a chain saw with a 12-14" bar is sufficient. Depending on how fresh the creosote is, you might want to have some acetone or paint thinner handy to wipe the bar before you return it.

Don't expect the cut to be particularly accurate or square, if this matters, a more easily guided saw is your go-to. I like the circular saw four ways finished off with a Sawzall, but if neatness really matters, e.g. for a nice-looking retaining wall, I'd suggest using pressure treated landscape timbers rather than ties.
 
Posts: 6945 | Location: NoVA | Registered: July 22, 2009Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Ignored facts
still exist
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quote:
Originally posted by 83v45magna:

A you-tube video shows a guy make cuts on four sides with a circular saw, ......


that's what I did. Cut, turn, cut again, turn again.


.
 
Posts: 11213 | Location: 45 miles from the Pacific Ocean | Registered: February 28, 2003Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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I had a long response typed out on the evils involved in cutting ties, but it brought back traumatic memories. I hated cutting them until I came up with the perfect solution:

Get a cheap bow saw and pay some local teen with more muscles than brains to do it for you.
 
Posts: 632 | Registered: June 11, 2018Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Recip/sawzall


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Live today as if it may be your last and learn today as if you will live forever
 
Posts: 6322 | Location: New Orleans...outside the levees, fishing in the Rigolets | Registered: October 11, 2009Reply With QuoteReport This Post
A Grateful American
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Put any saw next to the tie, with implicit instructions not to cut it "right here", in front of a couple of 10 year olds, and go watch a game.




"the meaning of life, is to give life meaning" Ani Yehudi אני יהודי Le'olam lo shuv לעולם לא שוב!
 
Posts: 44720 | Location: ...... I am thrice divorced, and I live in a van DOWN BY THE RIVER!!! (in Arkansas) | Registered: December 20, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Spread the Disease
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quote:
Originally posted by radioman:
quote:
Originally posted by 83v45magna:

A you-tube video shows a guy make cuts on four sides with a circular saw, ......


that's what I did. Cut, turn, cut again, turn again.


I've done this and a chainsaw. Just make as sure as you can that there are no spikes, nails, staples, etc. still in the tie.


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Posts: 17779 | Location: New Mexico | Registered: October 14, 2005Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Optimistic Cynic
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quote:
Originally posted by sigmonkey:
Put any saw next to the tie, with implicit instructions not to cut it "right here", in front of a couple of 10 year olds, and go watch a game.
Pro tip: Have bandages and clotting powder handy. (But with 10-year-olds around, you're probably already equipped.)
 
Posts: 6945 | Location: NoVA | Registered: July 22, 2009Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Haul it to the tool rental place and giv'em $10.00 to cut it for you





Safety, Situational Awareness and proficiency.



Neck Ties, Hats and ammo brass, Never ,ever touch'em w/o asking first
 
Posts: 55328 | Location: Henry County , Il | Registered: February 10, 2004Reply With QuoteReport This Post
My other Sig
is a Steyr.
Picture of .38supersig
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Ties are usually treated with creosote.

Wearing a mask for this task is a must.

Let us know how your project turns out.



 
Posts: 9552 | Location: Somewhere looking for ammo that nobody has at a place I haven't been to for a pistol I couldn't live without... | Registered: December 02, 2014Reply With QuoteReport This Post
To all of you who are serving or have served our country, Thank You
Picture of Jelly
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"Any suggestions" The guy I bought my house from
put used free railroad ties all over the place. I've since got rid of them years ago for good reason. They are insect super farms for everything imaginable both in them and under them. Good luck!
 
Posts: 2681 | Registered: March 15, 2004Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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