Bob JS Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 I made my first pair of tongs yesterday! :cool: There is a really friendly atmosphere at Kew, with 3 blacksmiths at the forge, and a bunch of engineers from the museum all getting together for a communal meal. The second half of the day is yours to play with, putting the thing you have learned into practice to make anything you like (as long as it is practical). I was there to learn as many different things as I could while the tuition was avaliable, so I could practice them later. I like to make things that I can use and that have a function, so I said 'I could use some tongs' It was pretty obvious that this was pushing the time scale a bit for a beginner like me, so after getting the stock cut to size, we decided that Kath would make one half of the tongs, and I would make the other - taking it in turns to do each stage and hopefully keeping the two halves fairly similar. We started off with about 7'' of 16mm square stock each. One thing I definitly leaned was why air hammers were invented, as drawing out those reins by hand was hard work and time consuming - very satisfying though. So after lots of hard work, sweating, a wrist support, lots of interest and input from the other smiths and some final adjustment I had my first pair of traditionaly made tongs! All in all a great day, highly recomended and good value for money with all materials and fuel included. Also, students can return to the forge in their own time to have a play, with advice and support if needed. Bob :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimbob Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 thats a good looking pair of tongs for your first ones! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alwin Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 Excellent first tongs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iron Falcon 72 Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 Both halves look great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick L. Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 (edited) Bob, Real nice job on the tongs. First ones no less !!! The poker looks good too. Sounds like a fun place to learn! Dick Edited March 31, 2009 by Dick L. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 Okay, what is this? All you guys are making first pairs of tongs that look way, WAY better than my first pair! Well done Bob. Frosty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dodge Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 They look even better than my third pair!! LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CBrann Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 Nicely done, I had to make 5 pair before I hade something that wroked..still not up to showing anybody..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
element Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 Good job on the tongs. Now you will be able to make more as you need them.:o Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TASMITH Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 Well done for a first pair! Now that you know what your doing it is just a matter of learning to make them to suit the job you are doing. Keep it up. Terry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TechnicusJoe Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 Really neat first pair of tongs! like a master his! Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob JS Posted April 1, 2009 Author Share Posted April 1, 2009 Thanks for all the kind words. I did a little tidying up on them today, sqeezed some of the bends out of the reins and finished the rivet off properly - they could have done with more finishing and tweaking while hot, but time ran out and coke isn't cheap. Punched a no.1 in the handle, hopefully the first pair of many to come. Thanks again Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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