Drilling Tapping Rail Question ?

[Allthegearnoidea]

Does anyone know if its possible to drill and tap railway rail such as flat bottom 113A or bullhead. I know that its possible to drill with a rotabroach cutter as I do this routinely.

I would normally drill through the entire rail and bolt through the holes and clamp using fish plates. However for this application it will be a blind hole as I can only get access to one side of the rail and I cannot bolt through. The other side of the rail is cast in concrete.

I want to drill the rail through the neutral axis and then tap the rail to accept bolts. This is not a main line standard job. Im trying to install some lift up stops to stop bogies rolling away.

I am not sure how hard rail is and if it can be tapped etc.

Chris

 

[RonA]

From what I remember of my materials science lessons (admittedly 40 years ago). If the rail is just the normal rail grade, can’t see why you wouldnt get away with it. If it’s points grade (which I believe has added molybdenum to deliberately work harden & increase wear resistance) you might struggle.
RonA

 

[Allthegearnoidea]

Im thinking is just standard rail. Its installed in a railway workshop. I know the top of the rail gets very hard from work hardening but the web is easy to drill using a rotabroach cutter. Mainly wouldering if it can be tapped. I have some rails here so I guess I should try it.

 

[RonA]

Im thinking is just standard rail. Its installed in a railway workshop. I know the top of the rail gets very hard from work hardening but the web is easy to drill using a rotabroach cutter. Mainly wouldering if it can be tapped. I have some rails here so I guess I should try it.

If it’ll drill can’t see why it wouldn’t tap but as you say try it & see is the only answer to your problem. Remember to use plenty of drilling/tapping lubricant.
RonA

 

[Arclikeharrypotter]

Rail is just high carbon steel I believe. I shouldn't see there being a problem with it being tapped.

 

[frank horton]

if u find it a little tough drilling / broaching.........drill a little bigger so the tap has an easier life...u didn't say what size ur tapping and thread pitch.......u want want to take to much......

 

[Kent]

Aneal it perhaps? Will that work in its purpose still?

 

[Welderpaul]

If you can drill it with a normal Rotabroach cutter then yes you can tap it

 

[Allthegearnoidea]

It would not be permissible to heat the rail. I will have to check the hole size ? From memory is over 20mm I have not investigated bolt size yet as I have not done the design yet.

Thanks for the replies

 

[Seadog]

Rail is just high carbon steel I believe.

I think it has a fair proportion of manganese which makes it quite tough.

 

[brightspark]

I think it has a fair proportion of manganese which makes it quite tough.

and the more pressure its had on it hardens it further

 

[Arclikeharrypotter]

and the more pressure its had on it hardens it further

I think you are referring to mangaloy or hardfield which rail is not. Maybe upto say 1.5 percent manganese but not 10 percent or more.

 

[brightspark]

I think you are referring to mangaloy or hardfield which rail is not. Maybe upto say 1.5 percent manganese but not 10 percent or more.

here https://www.quora.com/Why-is-high-manganese-steel-used-for-rails

 

[Seadog]

here https://www.quora.com/Why-is-high-manganese-steel-used-for-rails

 

[Allthegearnoidea]

Visited the customer today and they want something that just clamps onto the rail. So luckily no drilling required but may just try drilling and tapping a rail sample for future reference

 

[WorkshopChris]

Visited the customer today and they want something that just clamps onto the rail. So luckily no drilling required but may just try drilling and tapping a rail sample for future reference

Sound like a good solution, let us know how you get on with your test.

 

[Pete.]

If one side was embedded in concrete you wouldn't have been able to tap it anyway - you can't tap a thread in concrete!