Railroad Spike Wall-Mount Bottle Opener, Optional Diamondplate Laminate

Wall-Mount Bottle Opener made from a railroad spike, with an optional diamondplate laminate. This project can be completed with any type of wood finish or mount you desire. We discuss steps here to use a diamondplate laminate and show a picture of a simple scorched wood finish. Be creative and make it your own!

• 8" Piece of 2x4
• 6"x8" piece of diamondplate
• 2 Keyhole Wall Mounts
• 2 #8 2 1/2 inch screws with #8 nuts and washers
• 6, 1/2 inch sheet metal screws
• Railroad Spike
• Anvil and Forge or Propane Torch and Bench Vise to heat and bend railroad spike
• Rubber Mallet and flat peen hammer
• 3/16 metal drill bit, 1/4 wood drill bit, 1/2" spade bit
• Drill Press (Optional)

Use a forge and anvil/bench vise and propane torch to heat and bend railroad spike.

• Begin by pounding the head of the spike downward. The end sticking out should have a small lip on the end, this is what will catch the bottle cap.
• Beginning approximately 2.5 inches from the head, bend the spike at approximately a 45 degree angle.
• Allow spike to cool naturally for approximately 30 minutes before touching.
• DO NOT WATER QUENCH. This can harden the steel and prevent you from drilling holes in it later.

Cut an 8" piece of standard 2x4. For more crisp results, use a table saw to trim edges slightly to remove round corners and make square. Dimensions should be approximately 8" tall by 3" wide.

• Begin by placing your 2x4 in the bench vice with either side facing up.
• Lay one side of the diamondplate flush along the side of the 2x4 and mark three holes along the center line.
• Using a punch, gently mark each hole and if desired make a small pilot hole through each and into the wood
• Insert three sheet metal screws into the three holes
• Turn the wood sideways in the vice.***Use a rubber pad, or piece of leather or plastic to pad the vice so not to scratch the diamondplate***
• Using a rubber mallet, gently hit the diamondplate along the edge of the wood to make a crisp fold. Slowly pound the metal down over the face of the wood until flat.
• Rotate the block, remember to keep the vice padded, and repeat this process for the other side.
• Once you have successfully folded the diamondplate around the block, apply three additional screws to the other side.

• Using a punch, notch two holes in the front edge of the railroad spike approximately 2 inches apart
• Use either a drill press vise or a bench vise to hold spike tightly in place
• Drill each hole at 3/16, oil drill bit liberally to avoid burning or breaking
• After each hole is drilled, use a 1/4 drill bit to countersink holes

• Center your drilled railroad spike on the front of the block and use a nail or punch to mark your two holes on the block
• Drill 2, 3/16 holes in the notches you made - Ensure holes go all the way through the block
• Flip the block over, and using a 1/2 inch spade bit, drill your holes through the back slighly less than halfway through the block
• Using a 1/4 inch drill bit, drill out your slots for the keyhole hangers and mount them on the back at the top and bottom. ***It is important to not put them side by side or close together, as the usage of the bottle opener will pull on the bottom and it needs to be fastened to the wall**

Using the two #8 Screws, mount the spike to the front of your block and fasten in the rear with the washers and nuts. Hand tighten to avoid stripping screws, apply LocTite to threads if desired.

**Optional** If you want an "aged" look, use a wire wheel attachment to brush screw heads, this will help them blend in with the rugged look of the railroad spike.