I need a large steel spike

Does anyone know where I could get a large steel spike (other than a machine shop). I'm looking for something roughly 2" wide and anywhere from 3-6" long. I tried to turn one down today but our lathe ****s and it turned out to be an enormous waste of time.

 

What about a copper plumb bob from the hardware store? does it have to be steel?

 

What's it gonna do?

 

Walk some railroad tracks, bound to find one there.

 

im worried why you would need one? spiderwebby type ****?

 

I have a bucketful of railroad spikes somewhere. They make great knives! They are square, not round, though. Maybe not what you want.

 

WOW, if your lathe can't make that, what is it good for? I'm not sure what you're looking for but I'm thinking tractor store. A hitch pin or lynch pin or whatever they call 'em.

 

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=543182&highlight=ventura+f100

If you look there you will see that I am building a three link w/ wishbone, the center of which is located on top of the differential, extending forward and outward to points on the frame.

Well coming straight off the diff. is a very phallic looking piece of tubing that will be utilized as an attachment point for the two tubes extending forward and outward.

I decided I want to use a large spike to finish off the end of that tube, rather than leave it open, cap it off flat, or use a dome shaped pipe cap. I mean **** it already looks like a **** as is...

So the spike...I attached some pictures of this extension (pun partially intended)...













You get the point...big spike on the end of that.

 

It works for some stuff. I was pushing it a little hard because I was impatient. It just tends to kind of walk around. Itmight have been my fault. I'm a fabricator,not a machinist.

 

search "wood grenade".

http://www.google.com/images?oe=UTF...ABaiy0QGr4vC1Cw&ved=0CEUQsAQ&biw=1024&bih=600

 

Why not weld on a chrome bullet?

 

check some farm supply stores or a place that sells old farm equipment, a hay spear would work well for that but you would have to cut it down to the length you need.

 

So you want something that looks like the head of a **** with a stem that will fit the I.D. of the tube? What's the I.D of the tube?

 

I'm looking for a CONICAL spike and I want it to match the OD of the tube, which is 1 3/4".

 

Nope to the wood grenade. Close though...conical

 

Try your local ag supply store ask for a "chisel" spike, they are found on ag implements.

 

Check some of the chopper parts websites or put a wanted on the jockey journal. Spikes are real popular with bike builders and you can get most any size you want pretty cheap.

 

A chain link fence post cap may work for you.

 

Does it need to be solid?
If not, you can roll a sheet metal cone.

 

I don't understand the reason for the spike?

Great looking fab work BTW, saw your other thread.

 

Good call. I will check that out.

I could just use a steel pipe cap for a gas line but I want it to be a spike, not a cup

It does not need to be and I thought about doing that but I just have a feeling it would not be a perfect cone spike.

The spike is just to finish off the end of that piece of tube in the pictures I posted. It is just a design preference. I could weld a round piece of steel in and sand it smooth but I don't want to interrupt the flow of the piece with a blunt end.

 

Three reasons I can think of.

1. It'll be marginally more aerodynamic with the spike. (Probably good for a few thousandths of a MPH in the top end.)
2. The sharp point on the tip will allow any negativity vibes that ac***ulate in the vehicle to bleed off into the tailstream of the car as its driven which will have the effect of making the car more fun to drive. This effect is accentuated as speed increases, by the way.
3. To discourage tailgaters.

 

Interesting theories.

4. Because it will look way ****ing cool.

 

OK, I see now. How about just a simple rounded pipe end? It would look less 'mini-truck' and finish off the open ended tube nicely. Get the closest fitting one and turn it down in the lathe to match. Or get a larger one to finish off the "phalic" look, haha.

 

Here's an example, with a round cap. I want a big *** spike instead:

 

I say try it on the lathe again.. just take your time with it this time. nothing like making your own stuff. machining parts is fun.. and NO ONE will ever have anything Identical to it. Nice lookin work too.

 

Look for a harrow point, similar to a chisel like Donmon suggested. Will a rail road spike work? they are putting down new ties in front of are ranch.

 

Because I don't want a rounded pipe end lol That would be the easy way out. I'm trying to be unique, even if it is tedious and time consuming.

 

Personally, I'd lop the end of that tubing off near the welded joints and fabricate a clean looking plate that not only caps off that tubing, but acts as an added fishplate-type gusset on top & bottom of the intersection of the three pieces of tubing.

 

I have a lathe like you talk about, it "walks around". It is mostly caused by the fact that the spindle runs in a babbit bearing and it needs shimmed. I know what it needs, I just am not certain how to fix it, and the few people who tell me they know how do not seem inclined to come do it. I think the secret to making your cone might involve roughing it out with tooling then using a 4" grinder to finish it while it is turning in the lathe. I have done this with decent results, the key is to not put alot of pressure when your grinding to keep the walking to a minimum. Good Luck.