Small spike picture frame

[Pault17]

My parents 43rd anniversary passed while I had taken a sabbatical from banging iron, so I had to get this to them a little late.
Not real refined. Made from a spike drawn and split. I worked the heart sides one at a time and opened them up together in the last heat. My forge is not large enough for the whole thing to fit.

The face and outer edge of the heart were sanded down to get shine, the heat oxidized for color. The whole thing was coated with interior/exterior laquer and clear-epoxied to a chunk of busted up countertop.


To use, I just cut the picture to fit and secure it with a couple of rare earth magnets. That was a pretty cool idea, i thought.

[Travis Covington]

Nice work. That looks like you found the perfect gift.
Travis

[keykeeper]

Very creative and clever use of a spike. Sometimes the best gifts can't be bought. I'm sure your parents loved it.

Did you flatten the top of the head before epoxy-ing it? and if so, how?

-aaron c.

[pete46]

Oh Yea Momma's Gett'n One!
Thanks :)

[Pault17]

Aaron,
I have a piece of leaf spring that has a hole punched through it with a spike. in the last heat, I used a spike as a die and drove it into the bar to create a "spike underside" impression. Now, anytime I want to make anything from a spike that will need to stand up, I just drop a hop spike into the hole and drive it flat. The spike drops out and doesn't require grinding to stand up.

[keykeeper]

Thanks, I'll have to make one of these "spike bolster plates". I can think of several instances where smoothing and flattening the head would be useful.

Thanks again.

[mike-hr]

Great idea, thanks!