Get them from Bob Smakula.

https://www.smakulafrettedinstruments.com/

I got some from Deering.

https://www.deeringbanjos.com/collections/banjo-parts/products/deering-banjo-spikes

quote:

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Originally posted by pkcconstrictors

This has probably been addressed before, but I'm not seeing anything. Does any place have a better or lesser railroad spike, or are they all the same?

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The poster is not asking where to buy them, but if they are all the same. 
 

The answer is no, they are not all the same.  They are model railroad spikes and come in different lengths and different configurations of the head.  It's better to have a short length (so as to not go through the neck) and a longer head with a flat underside (so the string can slide under and stay there).

That being said, the sources mentioned -- Smakula and Deering -- plus Elderly have spikes that fit the requirements, and look almost identical. Some other parts suppliers may be different. 

I bought some at a local hobby store, many years ago, for my first attempt at spikes. My several attempts bent when tried to install, and then one broke when I tried to pull it back out. That began nearly 20 years of playing without spikes. For my more recent successful spike installations, I bought them from Deering. I figured that since they use at least one on every banjo they make, they would have the best available. They are strong, and drive in nice, with the .8mm drill bit that came with my pin-vice. That said, Smakula is a much better price at 10 for $1.00 where as Deering is 6 for $5.00

Ok thanks for the replies. Next question, and I'm sorry if I should make a new topic, but I feel that it goes with the original. Has anyone had any splitting of the wood from too many spikes or not cutting the ends off etc.

You will not be inserting spikes into the fretboard as if you're pounding nails into 2x4s when you clobbered together your first treehouse. no, no, no.

Instead, first Google "pilot hole" - and, if you don't know (many folks don't), while you're into Google search definition of "thousandth of an inch" - or, "what is 0.001 inch?".

Now, you're going to proceed with spiking in a very careful and deliberate way with a "pin vise"......(look that up too). The 'pilot hole' will be only a few "thou" smaller in diameter than the spike shaft. (And by the way, when you throw around the term "thou" around a bunch of guys at your summer BBQ it's impressive and might elevate you a coupla notches in the man-o-sphere hierarchy.

Anyway, it's not even necessary to 'blunt' the spike end if you do this right. There are many website sources for videos and photos of spikers - check out "Frank Ford" or Gryphon Stringed Instruments website and menu of hundreds of how-tos; and, there's many threads of deep dives into the spiking biz here in BHO.

The real secrets to success are:
a. Pin vise
b. eency drill bit measured in thous - or 'numbered' size - or 'lettered' size.
c. a bit of masking tape (used as depth gauge flaggy thing)
d. eency bit of glue
e. thickness gauge or shim stock of say, 0.012"
f. fine abrasive paper for polishing off sharp spike head burrs and to fuss with bottom side of spike head.

It's known that there are misfit spikers in BHO Landia who've kicked their own butts black-and-blue from being unserious about this easy but precision little task.

I'm sure someone will follow up with a link or two or three.

Just stay away from the square shaft spikes which are usually sold by rr hobby shops and on eBay which are actually more true to the real thing but not for banjos.