Tongs

I made a set of tongs that still need adjusting. I used a bolt to hold them together since I don't have the thing you drive rivets through to shape and size them. It got me wondering, Can't I take a bolt and use it as a rivet? Does that work? And my second question is: I have a broken file. Can I put the piece in the tongs when they are red hot an hit it a few times with a hammer and get that grippy texture on my tongs?

Still new, but I know i will need to make a couple sets of tongs in the near future. Having a hard time finding local vendors of raw materials. Wondering what might be the best options to look for in the scrap piles to make tongs from? Or if there is already a good thread that might point me in the right direction please feel free to point me there. These forums are still a little overwhelming. Thanks in advance.

Forging a pair of V-bit tongs. A friend of mine is directing the forging whilst I swing the sledge hammer, trying to hit my thumb. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuyt26l1Xss&lc=UgzNPQAyU5z1VOSoCTx4AaABAg

Are “slot jaw” tongs available commercially or must they be custom made? I saw a pair being used on one of Black Bear Forge’s demos and they looked to be handy for various shapes.

Hi all, I'm a beginner looking to get my first pair of tongs. I'll be working mostly with 5/8" round stock (about 12" long). I was going to get some V-bit tongs (either straight or bolt) but was curious about wolf jaw tongs as a possible do-it-all option. Any thoughts? Could wolf jaw tongs handle 5/8" round stock (both lengthwise and sideways), and if so, which size should I look for? I can't find much info out there. Or should I stick to straight v-bit or v-bit bolt tongs? Many thanks for any advice! Erik

Found these today and have already put to use on small brooches and jewelry projects. Just wonder if anyone knows the original intent for them. My guess is upholstery, carpet laying or something of the sort to place and pull tacks or staples. Thoughts? Was an awesome sale that added another anvil to the stable but will share that later. Thanks as always! Whisky

they're a little wonky looking but the jaws and reigns line up nicely and holds tight. and they feel real nice and sturdy too like i can really lean into something with worrying about throwing them outta alignment

I have a propane forge. It has three burners and is rather large, so I am finding it difficult to forge tongs 1. when I don't have any to forge the metal with and 2. when the flame of the forge heats up the material too much for me to hold onto it. I don't have a functional coal forge and can't seem to find any material to make tongs anyway. Is there anywhere in Canada that I can buy a couple sets of pre-made tongs to get me started?

Hey everyone. I am a beginner blacksmith and I am having some difficulty finding steel to make tongs. I live in a medium-sized town and don't have a lot of places that sell steel besides industrial suppliers and Princess Auto. Are there any types of metals I can use from auto-wreckers or scrap yards to make tongs with? Also what size and shape of stock I might need to start. Thanks!

Of course, most of you knew that from the "git-go"! I've got my forge up and running. I need a pair of Bolt Jaw tongs to do the work I need/want to do. All I've got is a pair of flat-faced "duck bill" tongs I made while attending the local club's Thursday night gatherings. (made them before I had any idea tongs were "thickness and shape specific". (No wonder blacksmiths have as many pairs of tongs as I do wood carving knives!) They hold a piece of 1/4" flat bar just fine.............but are worthless for 1" round bar. I've spent the last hour burning myself to pieces trying to find a way to alter the jaws on these to simulate Bolt Jaw tongs to make a real pai…

Good day folks, I've been here awhile but have contributed little to date so going forward I'll try and work on that. This is my second attempt at this style of tongs and I managed to snap pics of most of the steps I took to forge these so I figure I might as well throw them up here and maybe someone will benefit. I warn you that this may not a perfect how to but it may give someone enough reference to muddle through their next pair of tongs. Also if anyone has pointers on what I could do better next time regarding the build or the "how to" I am open to advice. I think these are deemed Habermann bolt jaw tongs but I can't vouch for that title so let's call them …

Hi all, would rebar like they sell at home depot be a lousy metal to make tongs out of? Any help will be greatly appreciated. ~~~Johnny~~~

I’m shopping for some tongs. I’ve seen dozens of websites offering all sorts of tongs for blacksmiths and a few of them mention that their tongs can or can not be adjusted for size. My question is, what should you look for to know you’re getting a solid pair of tongs that you can continue to use and resize for a good long life? Is if the size of stock they came from? Is it the metal they’re made of? Is it the size of the boss or the rivet?

Hi all, I have a friend who has a restored American Civil War travelling forge. We are working on collecting/making the tools that need to go with it. All the reference material that I can find says that it was equipped with 3 tongs, but I have no reference/pics of what type of tongs they would have been. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Thanks, Dave

I've been thinking about how it can sometimes be difficult to combine a properly forged bottle opener with a more delicate handle. Either the handle isn't robust enough to support the forging of the opener end, or it's hard to get a really good solid grip on the opener end while you forge the handle. Then I saw an illustration on page 23 of J. W. Lillico's Blacksmith's Manual Illustrated of a pair of tongs to hold pipe from the inside: And the light bulb went off: combine the lever action of these tongs (similar to the pliers for installing and removing snap rings) with the hooks from a pair of bladesmith's tongs -- but facing out rather than facing in. A lengt…

First attempt at box jaw tongs from 3/4” mild steel to hold 3/4” mild steel. Forgot to leave the extra metal for the box so I ended up with barely a box but it holds it great so it won’t slip any direction so I’d count that as a success

I have a pair of tongs that have a crack in the jaw. I was considering v'ing it a bit and brazing it. I thought it would be smother and probably stronger than a stick, or wire weld. Is this the correct procedure? Thanks

Hi. I just started Blacksmithing and I need some tongs. I only have enough money for one pair. what kind of tongs would you recomend for just all purpose tongs

Well I’m no good at tongs but here was my Recent attempt at them. The bolt jaw fit 1-1/4” square stock and the other ones fit 3/4” square/round. They were made with 3/4” mild steel and 7/16ths forge welded on for reigns because I learned last time. I don’t wanna draw it out by hand. These are functional but ugly. Still have several feet of each rod so what rings should I make next? Any tips? Also I think I should dress my punch. It’s starting to crack.

They are just tagged as blacksmiths tongs. Maybe to hold axe heads etc...?

Had these for a while but never seen another pair similar. They hold, but mark, rail spikes very well. Anyone else have a similar set? Thanks as always, Whisky

First and second set of tongs, from 1/2" round bar. The second set improved a lot over the first I think, the proportions feel better, didn't need to resort to twisting, and cold riveted them together (easy enough). They aren't set to hold anything in particular so they can hold a lot of things, but not very securely!!! I can see adding a longitudinal v groove to them next time I have a fire going. There's always room for improvement but I'm quite happy with pair #2. Anvil - 60 lb Fisher from the 1880's Forge - campfire with blow pipe Edited Monday at 09:40 PM by Mod30

Hello out there. I'm about to get ready to start learning how to forge and I had a few questions. Id like to make the majority of my tools like tongs, hardy,ect. so my question is, is there a sort of universal tong I could get to start off, or is there something I could use in the mean time until i make my own.

Modeled after my favorite pair of pliars that I've been using to forge. Needed a longer pair as I've recently discovered fire is very hot to flesh. Also decided to sneak in my oil forge blower box.