Nohone

I agree with all that you are saying, tongs are better than channel-locks, but I never said they were not. The channel-lock serves it purpose, why hate on the poor channel-lock? It works! Sure, not as good as something else, but it works. @TimothyMiller That pain would be excruciating! I hate burns! But of course it's subjective, you only feel that terrible pain because you're in a flesh costume! It definitely is not as desirable like good feelings are, but all feelings are subjective. Don't get lost in them, just enjoy them...or in the case of the burn, try to enjoy it! lol...The burn is already tearing through flesh, the least you can do is show the wound some love and understanding, no? No more freeding the troll, This thread is now locked

Knowledge is beautiful, without it, I would not be able to even respond to you! But knowledge is nothing without something to hold it. Knowledge by itself is useless. Knowledge is only knowledge when there is an experiencer, and then, when there is an experiencer, then knowledge becomes an experience. It is best not to confuse the experience with the experiencer. You are the experiencer, not the experience. Simple observation, no? If I place hot steel on an anvil and strike directly downward with the hammer, the steel will begin to flatten. Now I know that when these conditions are satisfied, this result will occur! Beautiful observation, but it is only an observation, albeit a repeatable observation. Best not to get caught up with the experience. Great that I know something I did not, but altogether, all that matters is you, the experiencer. Knowledge, as an experience, is just a "Feelie". Without you, the feelie is nothingness. So rejoice in the fact that you give knowledge life! And who would have known we would get existential in this silly topic! I never know what's at the end of a corner...

I gave you an honest answer too. :rolleyes:

Why do my unconventional assertions bother you folk? What with all the predictions of physical injury or financial disaster? You make these predictions under the guise of experience, but I know that these predictions are NOT based under any experience, but are made because your egos are wounded. Your predictions are of the same nature as when Child "A" calls Child "B" stupid because Child "B" is doing something different than what Child "A's" parents have taught him.

I didn't say tongs weren't better lol. That entire post you quoted actually had nothing to do with tongs. That's odd.

Life is pretty simple, Ron, The possibility to heat metal and move it to creative will has been around longer than these methods devised. It has it's own way of being. Our understanding of things will always be subjective, but not of greater or lesser quality than any other person's subjective experience. Don't let my assertions upset you, you needn't confirm your beliefs with my physical injury. Something that is true will stand on its own, regardless of other conditions. Continue believing your ways and doing what you do with complete joy. It doesn't matter what you do or what you believe, just do it with joy. If it is not done with joy, it is not worth doing.

I need something to hold metal, the pliers work. There is no right direction, only one that suits you. RR spikes don't make good knifes? I hear that a lot, I think it's nonsense. When you compare the spike to what knives are made from today, sure they are a bit sub par, but a knife is a knife. RR spikes can't hold edges? Then sharpen it. It'll still cut, sure it'll dull faster, but it works. These ideas that one way is better than another way is self limiting. You do what works for you, not because the majority say so. Are we not artists?

Thank you for your information sir, that's quite a relief. Those pliers serve as great tongs, and I hate using tongs, but the dragon breath of my gas forge is punishing.

This is a picture of the channel lock plier I am using as a pair of tongs to hold railroad spikes. I saw it being used on a YouTube video of some chap making a knife out of a RR spike. As you can see, I already used them, but the shiny metal on the pliers concerned me, as I know this is a property of galvanized steel. I used it outside, I don't know if that helps.

I have tongs. I have made them with the tools I have. They work great. Look my friends... I am simply asking for ideas. What is it with these complexities? Just give me ideas. Some of you did, thank you, but why I am thanking you for answering a question? Only because there are so many who do not. Now answering questions has become a luxury. "How do I get to the market from here?" "Well you know some people in the 3rd world don't have cars..." *Facepalm* This is like a slot machine, I pull the lever hoping to get gold and all I get are pennies!....and I don't even like Vegas! It's not as if I can't make my own ideas. I can, everyone can. I just want yours. I want to know, very simply, what you think I can make with what I have. I want to know your opinion on whether or not I need more stuff. And I know how it is in this "3rd world" some of you brought up. I am from the "3rd world", and it's still apart of the same world as the "1st world". Why are we talking about man-made worlds here anyway? How boring. The human world has little to do with the real world. I just want ideas of what I can do with metal with the stuff I have. Tell tell me the item names, you needn't even tell me how to do it, I just want to know the names of the items I can make, so that I can research it on my own. So far, I got many tools for ideas. Great ideas! I didn't know what some of them were, so I looked them up, now I know their function and I know how to make them. Any artistic ideas you guys can come up with? Maybe with photos too?

I could find anything if I really wanted to. Finding a vise is not my concern. After rereading my original post I can see I definitely was not clear, I apologize for that. I like adapting to unfavorable odds, so I don't care to purchase anymore tools until I have learned to do with what I have. When I no longer feel like I need the vise, then I will purchase the vise. Why you should see my smithy set-up, any wrong turn I make will either singe off my beard or cause property damage. I did that on purpose! I am still new to this, so I am not sure what I can make with what I have, that is why I am asking. I'd just like some ideas to ponder about. From the ideas you give me, more ideas from myself will sprout. So please feel free to continue giving me ideas, I like the ideas given already, but more will certainly help.

Topic pretty much states it. I have with me a 2 burner economy gas forge from diamondback forge, 180lb anvil, cross pein and ball pein hammer, and one pair of tongs. Unfortunately I don't have a vise, grinder, chop saw, or drill press, although I do have limited access to them, it's a long drive, and I'd rather adapt to just what I have. To cut cold metal, I use a cold chisel. It's a bit of a pain, but I manage. I know I can make knives with what I've got, but I am looking for other simpler artistic/useful things I can make and sell for some chump change to keep me going. I'm kind of new, and I barely know how to forge weld. Please feel free to share your ideas. So far I know I can make... Eating utensils BBQ turner S hooks P.S: I like putting twists on my work, but since I don't have a vise I am having a bit of trouble figuring out a practical way to make twists with just what I've got. If you have an idea, feel free to share.

Yeah ThomasPowers, I've read that as quite a popular choice for a easily made gas forge stand. I went ahead and bought 6 cinderblocks. Two cinderblocks served as the base, with two more stacked on the base, and two more stacked on the middle. It's pretty sturdy, as long as someone doesn't lean on it lol. I put the gas forge on top of that, and I was smithing today, no problems at all.

I like the way you think.

So I got the 2 burner economy model gas forge. It's about 14 inches long. I was thinking of putting together a stand made of cinderblock or some type of sturdy brick. The "stand" would actually be a cube made out of 27 pieces of cinderblock, and I was just gonna put the gas forge on top of that. My only concern is the heat emanating from the bottom of the gasforge. Will the heat mess up the cinderblock considerably? Not that I care about the cinderblock being messed up, my only concern is that if the cinderblock begins to break apart, then I risk the gas forge falling. If the heat will rapidly crack the cinderblock, suppose I topped my "cinderblock cube stand" with firebrick. Can anyone see any noticeable issues with this?