How to Make Metal Spikes

Metal spikes add a metallic look to any decoration or style.

Metal spikes are sharply pointing pieces of metal in the shape of a cone. There are many uses for metal spikes, such as clothing decoration or fixed to the bottom of your shoes for extra traction. Creating metal spikes requires a metal lathe and a strong understanding of basic lathing procedures. The process for creating a single spike isn't difficult but requires a lot of time, patience and a steady hand.

Things You'll Need

• Square piece of metal at whatever length you want
• Metal lathe
• Several metal lathing grinds
• Hammer
• Electric hand-operated metal grinder

Instructions

1. Open your lathe chuck and place your piece of metal inside. Hold it steady in place so that it faces straight out, and turn the chuck clockwise to close it around your piece of metal.

2. Pull the lathe adjustment switch to move the tail stock closer to the piece of metal. The tail stock is on the opposite side of the chuck and has a hand wheel.

3. Turn the hand wheel to move the tail stock end towards the piece of metal to hold it in place while it spins. Spin the metal by hand to see if it spins evenly. Adjust its position as necessary to make sure it doesn't wobble as it spins.

4. Press the "on" switch to turn on your lathe. Set your speed to "slow" to start and gradually increase the speed to just above a medium or high speed. Turn off the lathe immediately if the piece of metal adjusts position and spins off center even a small amount.

5. Take a low-angle metal lathing hand tool and press it to the spinning metal a half inch from the chuck end and directly in the middle of the spinning metal. Press the tool against the metal to begin grinding.

6. Move your lathe grinding tool down the length of your metal till you reach the point where you want your spike to reach its sharp point. Don't push the lathe tool down hard, because this may cause uneven grinds. Make three to four passes along the length of the spike in this way.

7. Change to the next sharper angled lathe tool. Move its starting position down the metal by about an eighth to a quarter of an inch and grind again from this position all the way to the end. Make three to four passes.

8. Continue changing to sharper angled lathing tools every three to four passes and moving the starting position down the length of the spike. Check your metal regularly to make sure your metal is slowly tapering in width to a point.

9. Repeat this process until your point is beginning to separate from the metal. Turn off the lathe and tap the piece of metal on the opposite side of your lathe to break the point off from the rest of the metal.

10. Use your hand grinder to grind any broken pieces of metal from the point down to a smooth surface. Grind the tip of the spike into a point shape to help define it more completely.

Tips & Warnings

• Take a break every 10 to 15 minutes to let you and your machine rest. Resume your activities after 15 to 20 minutes of rest.

• Spinning with a metal lathe can cause metal pieces to fly from your metal. Wear goggles and shoulder-length gloves to avoid getting injured.

References

• ENG: Metal Lathe
• Metal Working: How to Work with a Lathe
• Sherline: Grinding Your Own Lathe Tools