Getting an Alaskan mill rails parallel

[820wards]

I don't harden and temper old files but I do harden and temper new tool steel which I buy in 18 or 36" long pieces from Enco in the USA.

The best quenching liquid is determined by the type of tool steel. Usually I buy O1 tool steel which is Oil (Canola) quenched. I also have some small pieces of W1 (Water quenched) which I have played around with.

Bob,

Thanks
jerry-

 

[1947wdx]

I had taken some pictures of my "problem" and could not find them yesterday--here they are:
the twisted rail--

Bill,

I got back to looking at my mill this weekend, and one of my rails was almost exactly like your picture shows. I started to straighten it as you described using a cresent wrench, but noticed the upper T portion was starting to pinch in rather then the rail straightening. I clamped some 1/4 inch thick bar stock to each side of the rail, and that solved that problem. Luckily I had a large enough box end wrench that fit over everything perfectly.

Once I got the rail as close as I thought I could get to straight, I put it all back together and proceeded to cut some boards. Both rails sit nice an flat now, and my boards are much flatter.

I owe both you and BobL a lot more then beer for the advice it helped a lot!

 

[billstuewe]

You are welcome.
I'll pass on the beer but would sure like some Vermont maple logs to saw!!!

 

[BobL]

I owe both you and BobL a lot more then beer for the advice it helped a lot!

Cheers - I'll have one for you if you have one for me?

 

[1947wdx]

Cheers - I'll have one for you if you have one for me?

Done! Thanks again...