Mark Ling

at least have one "manufactured" pair to start with so that you can look at the structure of the tongs and have something to go off of. Littleblacksmith

gotta love the red paint! Littleblacksmith

I hope! Littleblacksmith

welcome Brandoncw, glad to have you. first practice with mild steel and once you get the process down start using the tool steel. also tongs are something that should not be your first project, because their is a lot to get right and a lot of things that you can mess up. you can make twist tongs, which are a bit simpler, just google it. but like MDN said, their is a lot of information on this forum, and that this question has been asked many times. one more suggestion start with stock that is long enough to hold and not use tongs. Littleblacksmith

what did you use it for? or was it just for fun? Littleblacksmith

what was Festus than? Littleblacksmith

was that made out of a gun barrel? I have seen antique ones that were made out of gun barrels and wasn't sure if this on was. they look really nice! Littleblacksmith

anyone else have a favorite tool? Littleblacksmith

is that the shop you use? I really like the older original smithys! Littleblacksmith

that's what the add was advertising it as, thanks everybody so far! Littleblacksmith

at least the gouge isn't in the sweet spot, were most metal will be worked. Littleblacksmith

or knock on farmers doors, you never know. do a little pick'en. Even if they don have one they might know of someone who does. Littleblacksmith

what was he? I thought he was a deputy sheriff, am I right? Littleblacksmith

a side draft forge hood works of of a draft (obviously) and so this is much safer and easier in ways. I am currently using a super sucker side draft forge hood. it works great!! as long as their isn't to bad of a breeze. I got the plans off of anvilfire.com anvil fire had a very good diagram with all of the measurements needed to make it. their is also many other blueprints for lots more projects. Littleblacksmith

that's the thing, it has to be good quality steel so that it wont deform (and properly heat treated). Littleblacksmith

I thought he was a deputy sheriff? Littleblacksmith

have you been checking craigslist?? just recently, there was an anvil on there, that im pretty sure was in Houston. it was being advertised as a Columbian anvil that weight more that 100 pounds. but wait, it gets better, the price was 200 dollars! there have been many other anvils, forges, and blacksmithing tools on craigslist that were in the Houston area. also be on the lookout at the scrap yard, for railroad track large chunks of steel or if your real lucky a "real" anvil. this has been said many times before, but ill say it again, the London pattern anvil has only been around for a couple hundred years, and before that smiths used blocks of steel, or what ever they could find. don't give up, eventually you'll find one. Littleblacksmith

that was the second time my post disappeared, and they were long!!!! darn! Littleblacksmith

whoooooops

dimensions?? how wide is it? thanks! Littleblacksmith

if its possible to weld another 1 inch plate on top than that would be better, but than again I don't have a whole lot of experience with striking anvils, but if your forging smaller "stuff" on it than I think it will be fine. will be interested to see others responses. Littleblacksmith

any more progress? im eager to see! Littleblacksmith

even better! Littleblacksmith

reminds me of Saint Patrick's day! Littleblacksmith

did you make the dies? if so would you mind sharing? thanks! you might be getting some orders in from other co-workers! good job showing them that blacksmithing is still alive and that we don't only shoe horses! Littleblacksmith