Quote Originally Posted by Brian Dickicon View Post
I don't see a welded rivet on the tie plate Rob. It just looks normal to me. Maybe the light in the photo makes it sort of look that way. Guessing the round impression around the head of the rivet on the plate is from the mandrel it's held on while the other side is staked.
On taking another look Brian I think you're probably right: I was reading too much into the colour and the "ring" around the end of the rivet probably raised by too hard a die strike, which resembles a spot weld somewhat.