November 11, 200817 yr 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.
November 11, 200817 yr I have made steak/fajita turners as demonstrated by Brian Headley on RFDTV. YouTube - Decorative Ironwork Jerry
November 11, 200817 yr 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
November 11, 200817 yr I just made a hoof pick for my aunt tonight out of a RR spike, Picture attached.
November 12, 200817 yr Some things I've seen so far...bottle opener, ginseng hoe, wizards, handles for tools, coat/hat hooks.
November 12, 200817 yr 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, ;-)
November 12, 200817 yr We don't all make knives woody. Lol. Unicorn, one of our guild members made a sweet back-scratcher out of one.
November 12, 200817 yr 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.
November 12, 200817 yr 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.
November 12, 200817 yr 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
November 13, 200817 yr 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.
November 13, 200817 yr 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
November 13, 200817 yr Author 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?
November 13, 200817 yr Door knockers work: and (the snake was almost 20 inches long before I started bending and twisting it) Crosses:
November 15, 200817 yr 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!
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