[freud2010]

I am in the process of building a retaining wall using railroad ties and rebar. I am having difficulty with the creosote in the ties gumming up, smoking, and getting hot using an 3/4" auger bit. Is this the correct type of bit to use or should I be looking at using another type of bit?

[twinkiedooter]

Read this before you keep drilling into the railroad ties. You may chose to use a different source of material/lumber for your retaining wall.

Wikipedia says this:

Health effects of coal tar creosote

According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), eating food or drinking water contaminated with high levels of coal tar creosote may cause a burning in the mouth and throat, and stomach pains.

ATDSR also states that brief direct contact with large amounts of coal tar creosote may result in a rash or severe irritation of the skin, chemical burns of the surfaces of the eyes, convulsions and mental confusion, kidney or liver problems, unconsciousness, and even death. Longer direct skin contact with low levels of creosote mixtures or their vapors can result in increased light sensitivity, damage to the cornea, and skin damage. Longer exposure to creosote vapors can cause irritation of the respiratory tract.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has determined that coal tar creosote is probably carcinogenic to humans, based on adequate animal evidence and limited human evidence. It is instructive to note that the animal testing relied upon by IARC involved the continuous application of creosote to the shaved skin of rodents. After weeks of creosote application, the animals developed cancerous skin lesions and in one test, lesions of the lung. The United States Environmental Protection Agency has stated that coal tar creosote is a possible human carcinogen.

There is no unique exposure pathway of children to creosote. Children exposed to creosote will probably experience the same health effects seen in adults exposed to creosote. It is unknown whether children differ from adults in their susceptibility to health effects from creosote.

A 2005 mortality study of creosote workers found no evidence supporting an increased risk of cancer death as a result of exposure to creosote. Based on the findings of the largest mortality study to date of workers employed in creosote wood treating plants, there is no evidence that employment at creosote wood-treating plants or exposure to creosote-based preservatives was associated with any significant mortality increase from either site-specific cancers or non-malignant diseases. The study consisted of 2,179 employees at eleven plants in the United States where wood was treated with creosote preservatives. Some workers began work in the 1940s to 1950s. The observation period of the study covered 1979- 2001. The average length of employment was 12.5 years. One third of the study subjects was employed for over 15 years.[1]

[WWPierre]

The bottom paragraph says it all, wear coveralls and gloves, and position yourself so that you are not breathing the fumes, especially since you are heating the stuff up.

An auger is the proper tool. It "augers" the chips away from the working face as the (sharp) tip produces them. Your bits need to be kept sharp. Try keeping the bit cool with water. Drill an inch or two at a time, and pull the chips out with the auger, wash them away with the hose as you work. Did I mention keep the bit sharp? Used ties have lots of little bit-dulling stones ground into them.

Are you going down through two into the third? Are you tying back properly? Do you have any batter? (does it lean back) Do you intend to backfill behind it with drain rock, so water cannot collect behind it?

The oil that washes off any highway into any ditch is about as harmful as creosote. Just try not to get it on you, and wash it off with a lanolin-based cleaner if you do.

Oh yeah, keep the bit sharp :)

[heart 13]

Hi I have a 8 to 10 feet retaining wall can some one give some help

[hkstroud]

Doing what?

[ma0641]

My back hurts too much, sorry.