Mudman

Didnt have much time today, but I did manage to get one tong blank done. Had a cold shut that I foolishly ignored, but I'll try to grind it out. I've forged 3/4 down in size plenty of times, but never for the length of what would be reigns. Boy was it a workout. Still a little sloppy, but I'm pleased with what I think will be my second successful tongs from scratch. Got this done in about 2.5 hours

Won't be anytime soon for me either, I'd really like to have a second forge just for welding. Part of why my gas forge has lasted so long, is I've never welded in it. I still need to figure out all of the basics too.

haha these low key jokes really give me a kick.

Nice work everyone! Das: will that be a baritone? =) jlpservicesinc: Looks great, is it weird that the handle made me crave spaghetti?

You are absolutely right jlpservicesinc. This year is a struggle for me time wise, but I'm hoping to do some traveling next year, to take several classes and visit other smiths.

First success at tongs/pliers. I've made few from kits via Ken's custom iron, but haven't been successful with making my own entirely from stock until now. These were made from 5/8" square mild, intended for random thin stock. moments earlier:

I was just thinking, that handle looks perfect for a red marble or something inside.

haha very true! I learn a lot of nifty tricks from her videos too, most recently was using scrolling tongs to lock stock in the hardy hole for twisting. My mind was blown.

You'r right Frosty, I hope to get to this level someday. Multi part projects are so fun I'm learning.

eh, way above my skillset.

This looks tricky! Thanks for taking the time to record and share this.

I really like how that came out, looks classy and very comfortable.

I don't get too many opportunities to coat anything forged, most of my projects are just real small basic stuff. But I do like the idea of a clearcoat.

I'll look into that Das, thanks.

jlpservicesinc: thanks, I'm trying to be very gradual with it. A snales pace if you will. Charles: that's a handy setup, those turning cams(?) on your anvil are neat. Daswulf: thank you, it was completely unintentional. The hook no longer fit in my forge, so I tried using a propane hand mini torch thing. Next thing you know, this is what happened- wasn't what I was aiming for, but I sorta like it now. I wonder if I could use the house oven to heat it up for waxing, I know my mini convection oven didn't work out so well. JHCC: those tongs look perfect to me! Frosty: thank you, it was a really head scratcher project for me. Took longer than expected to finish- due to my own lack of time.

KiltedWonder: auctions seem like a good place to hunt, I just never have the chance to make one. I don't mind spending the money on things that will last a very long time, just a matter of saving up. I've kept my eye on local ads, but 90% of them are oxy/acetylene. The propane setups that I do see, are almost retail also.

Murphyd: that's what I fear as well. When I used to have more time, I'd stop by a local forge now and then. They had a multiple solid fuel setups, it was a lot of fun. HojPoj: those are looking good. Rojo Pedro: I like it, and congrats on the anvil. jlpservicesinc: Is there a minimum radius that you would recommend? I've had my Nimba a few months now, and have been VERY slowly hand filing the corners. It might be several more months, before I get where I want- but there won't be anything over radiused haha. My older anvil (big chunk of Mild steel) has lots of more aggressive radius', so I've been shifting to that when I need more. Anvil: yes, that is 100% on my wishlist as well. But first I need to save for the torch, in total- it's looking like it's going to cost a pretty penny. However, I'm sure it'll pay for itself in pretty short order.

oh no, have I been reduced to the "just use search function" level? lol

Das: currently I have two 40# tanks and one 100# tank. I am considering getting a second 100# tank. My plan was to get an oxy/propane torch, that way it's one less thing to fill up. Are there any specific setups you recommend? I haven't seen any kits, where it's just the heating element. Tends to be focused around cutting, and a heating tip/rosebud included as an after thought. The smith outfit I was looking at is just shy of $500- not a terrible price for something that should last 20+ years. But it's out of the budget right now, and will be for a while. Although I'd REALLY love a solid fuel forge, the amount of smoke they tend to put out makes it a bad idea for my area. I don't have a shop and work in my backyard, very urban setting. I'm only getting away with the forging, because I'm literally neighbors with a body shop- so people think all the noise is from them. Having a big shiny chimney and excessive smoke might invite unwanted trouble from the 2 story apartments one house over.

Thanks Das and JHCC. The lower curved support gave me the most trouble, I spent 3 hours making little tweaks to it and still wasn't completely satisfied. Not having a torch or open forge was difficult, after riveting in the main rubik's twist hook- which I had to do in one heat, it wouldn't fit more than 1/3 back into the gas forge. So I couldn't heat up most of it to do the extra tweaks I wanted. I did make a valiant attempt holding the forge burner like a torch to try and heat the areas, but that didn't work out either. Lucky for me, using 3/16 stock I was able to cold rivet the lower support. Something else that didn't occur to me until after, was that the hole for the rubik's twist/ lower support area was crooked. I forgot it was tapered. I picked up a cheap tiny brazing torch, thinking it would work- but alas that was a failure also. So it looks like I'll need to start saving for a torch.. question is, what do I get? Daswulf: sweet grasshopper by the way, I'm always impressed by your creativity.

This didn't turn out like I had hoped, but I certainly learned a lot of things. Currently de-scaling in vinegar.

Frosty: if your talking about decorative spine filing, I'd probably pull my hair out attempting that. Perhaps a small fuller border instead? Thank you, I hope the person receiving it, like the thing. Birthday gifts of this sort, make me nervous. As I'm not sure they'd like it.

Frosty, thanks for the input. It's certainly difficult resisting the urge, to add as many bells and whistles to things. I've done it too many times, only to ruin an entire piece. On the wall plate, I was thinking, maybe chiseling a border line between the textured bevel and flats? Although I still need to drill holes for the wall mounting screws, they are going to be pretty close together.

Thanks Daswulf. I was initially thinking straight as well, but felt like it didn't have enough pop. The main hook is only 1/2'' wide, so not a ton of wiggle room. Similar twist for the lower adds too much pop for me. Maybe I'm overthinking it? What I've concluded so far with the sketch, is using 1/8'' x 1/2'' flat stock and a small taper at each end. Although I remain undecided.