Driving a railroad spike - GIF

Driving a railroad spike.

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Previously:

https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...085#post217852
https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...987#post120128
https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...811#post171154
https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...144#post120921
https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...995#post217536

Don't want to hit your thumb with that hammer!!!!! Or toe.

My dad worked as a "Gandy Dancer" before being drafted in WW2, it was amazing as kid watching him swing a a hammer. Another friend started out the same way in the late 60's and moved on to the powered spike puller. You do not want to hear the stories about that machine

Amazing skill but I kind of feel he doesn't wail on every spike that hard when the camera is off. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ram50V8

My dad worked as a "Gandy Dancer" before being drafted in WW2, it was amazing as kid watching him swing a a hammer. Another friend started out the same way in the late 60's and moved on to the powered spike puller. You do not want to hear the stories about that machine

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Yes we do.

Neil

I didn't know they even did that manually any more. I hear the pneumatic spike driver all the time at the yard near our house. They sound like shotgun blasts. I'm sure it's because of the sheer volume of rails they have to maintain. That yard is about 100 sets of rails across. It becomes a real pain during busier times. I've waited for 3 trains at a crossing some times. It sucks if you need to go north or south! The underpass just down the road from that has a bridge with 19 rails crossing the road. Needless to say, it gets a bit congested at times especially when they're sitting across all the crossings in the area! I have to travel 2 or 3 miles just to get around them.

He is only holding the hammer half way, he would get more power if he held it towards the end. Plus he would not have to work as hard.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ralphxyz

He is only holding the hammer half way, he would get more power if he held it towards the end. Plus he would not have to work as hard.

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He isn't after a full swing, he's working a tight close circle, he doesn't need a weighted swing but an accurate quick one.

Anyone who has ever tried to drive a railroad spike with would not find any fault with a guy who can put in a spike with 2 taps and 5 hits. That would be like me trying to teach Steph Curry or Michael Jordan how to play basketball.

"Hey Steph, you are really not doing that right, you should do it this way". :smash:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMcugauyAmI&t=11s