A method for attaching a contact element to the end of an electrical conductor is provided. In the method electrically conductive material is shaped to form a contact element with a variable shape. The end of the bare conductor is firstly moved into an at least approximately vertical position. Particles of an electrically conductive material are then applied at a high speed to the upwardly projecting front-side end of the conductor in the axial direction thereof that the material of the conductor connects to the electrically conductive material to form a compact structure which is connected to the material of the conductor in a mechanically fixed and electrically conductive fashion. Additional particles of the electrically conductive material are applied to the compact structure, and the metal body is shaped mechanically to form the contact element.