Rasper77 Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 Just about everyone has turned one into something or used it for something. there probaly about the most common easy to get chunk of metal that just about everyone has used. Ive used them for Chisels, to secure my anvil to a stump, Planishing stakes, , hooks, art and many more. Just for fun im curious how many uses you have found for them? Give some people ideas maybe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustyshackleford Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 I'll submit the obligatory: Knives, hatchets Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry W. Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 I have made steak/fajita turners as demonstrated by Brian Headley on RFDTV. YouTube - Decorative Ironwork Jerry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J W Bennett Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 The local abana chapter has a fella that set out to see what all he could make out of a spike. He made grill samplers, cheese cutters, trolls, door knockers, hinges, swans...on and on. I haven't been to a meeting in over a year but he was up to like 50 something items from spikes then. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archie Zietman Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 Rivet-on handles for ladles and spatulas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Martin Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 I just made a hoof pick for my aunt tonight out of a RR spike, Picture attached. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keykeeper Posted November 12, 2008 Share Posted November 12, 2008 Some things I've seen so far...bottle opener, ginseng hoe, wizards, handles for tools, coat/hat hooks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ptree Posted November 12, 2008 Share Posted November 12, 2008 I make Garden trowels from RR spikes. Also garden knives and weed diggers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Einhorn Posted November 12, 2008 Share Posted November 12, 2008 One guild member made a long spoon. If I remember correctly it was for applying flux to forge welds. It would be interesting to make: a back-scratcher, book-mark, ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woody Posted November 12, 2008 Share Posted November 12, 2008 sell them for scrap. Then use the money to buy some good steel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Martin Posted November 12, 2008 Share Posted November 12, 2008 We don't all make knives woody. Lol. Unicorn, one of our guild members made a sweet back-scratcher out of one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
divermike Posted November 12, 2008 Share Posted November 12, 2008 I draw them out at the pointy end, split them, draw them further, make a heart, and bend it twice to make a hat/ coat hanger, people like them at the demos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Leppo Posted November 12, 2008 Share Posted November 12, 2008 I got a beautiful "hand cultivator" as a trade item this summer. The working end is split into six tines and the handle flattened, among other stylish features. Much to nice to use. The piece won the "Iron Master" vote for the day; the PABA Kutztown Blacksmith Days. Made by a Mr. Sutton. I will add a pic if time permits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted November 12, 2008 Share Posted November 12, 2008 "A hoof pick for your Aunt" I too have odd relatives. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted November 12, 2008 Share Posted November 12, 2008 Same here, all my relatives are ODD. No two alike! Spikes are perfect for maintaining gage on your RR tracks. All kinds of door knocker potential. When I had access to a power hammer I drew out about two dozen to approximately 3/8" x 30" and made a number of snaky things and a pair of hay hooks. Frosty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Martin Posted November 12, 2008 Share Posted November 12, 2008 She has horses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zsartell Posted November 12, 2008 Share Posted November 12, 2008 I once used one to hold the rail track to the railroad tie... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geofthesmith Posted November 13, 2008 Share Posted November 13, 2008 I used a couple to plant hangers an' a pair o' candle sticks for me dad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug C Posted November 13, 2008 Share Posted November 13, 2008 Someone recently posted pictures of one made into a business card holder. I stole....uh borrowed, the idea and will make a friend of mine very happy this xmas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodreaux Posted November 13, 2008 Share Posted November 13, 2008 Woody, The thing is that they are Federal Property! No scrap yards in my area will buy ANY railroad steel, period. I do however aligin my feelings with yours...get some good steel...much better in all ways. Woodreaux Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rasper77 Posted November 13, 2008 Author Share Posted November 13, 2008 Woody, The thing is that they are Federal Property! No scrap yards in my area will buy ANY railroad steel, period. I do however aligin my feelings with yours...get some good steel...much better in all ways. Woodreaux yes there is better steel, but for learning there cheap and easy to get. And for some things why waste good steel. I mean do you really need high end steel to make a card holder or a hook? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pault17 Posted November 13, 2008 Share Posted November 13, 2008 Door knockers work: and (the snake was almost 20 inches long before I started bending and twisting it) Crosses: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigfootnampa Posted November 13, 2008 Share Posted November 13, 2008 I just used one to make a nail header... works good too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Leppo Posted November 13, 2008 Share Posted November 13, 2008 RR spike hand cultivator per my earlier description - the work of Mr. Sutton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeaverDamForge Posted November 15, 2008 Share Posted November 15, 2008 I draw them out, sometimes to 3', and make candle holders incorporating a piece of glass from Goodwill. Basically a stand for a glass candle holder. When you tell somebody "That used to be a spike." their reaction is usually worth the effort. I made a backscratcher with a turned oak handle, I mainly flattened the head and made three lobes with thin edges. I drew the shank out and left it square, so I could put a twist in it. Frederick's cross for my GF's brother's grave. Jayco tongs, punches, anvil tools, etc. I have used the spring clips ("rail anchors") for chisels and a hardy. Good Luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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