Michael Posted January 30, 2007 Share Posted January 30, 2007 I'm talking about what I think are farriers hoof nippers. I see them with smithing tools all the time. I've used them to lever nails out of boards, half the ebay auctions for tongs are nippers. I even bought a cheap pair at the flea a couple of weeks ago. The price was right and the handles had a nice springy feel to them. My hope, despite looking suspiciously cast, is the heat and bend the jaws for holding RR spikes. "get to the question" (screams voice in head) Is there a blacksmithing use for these things that I've been missing? I could maybe see cutting off thin stock, nothing over 3/8ths and orange hot at that. Or are they strictly a farriers tool that gets lumped in with other blacksmith stuff? Thanks Michael, glad to have IFI back Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dutchmancreek Posted January 30, 2007 Share Posted January 30, 2007 I've used them to make tongs. I don't know of any other uses specifically. I occasionally also get used rasps from our farrier. Some of those are good for such things as folded hawks and draw knives. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irnsrgn Posted January 30, 2007 Share Posted January 30, 2007 don't get em too hot and don't quench em too hot or when you usem you will be picking up small pieces. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted January 30, 2007 Share Posted January 30, 2007 The nippers are a farrier's tool and as we all know most folks don't know the difference between a smith and a farrier. Thomas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Turner Posted January 31, 2007 Share Posted January 31, 2007 Whats the difference?:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Turner Posted January 31, 2007 Share Posted January 31, 2007 Michael, Hoof nippers in my oppinion would make terrible tongs. They have to much carbon and will likely break on you from quenching. All the nippers I have seen are drop forged which leaves a cast looking line around them, the better nippers have all that cleaned off. do you have any pics that would help to identify what you have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted January 31, 2007 Share Posted January 31, 2007 Mike---about $20 bucks an hour! Thomas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nc_cooter Posted January 31, 2007 Share Posted January 31, 2007 A smith get's kicked a lot less than a farrier Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Hale Posted February 1, 2007 Share Posted February 1, 2007 Hoof nippers look a lot like pull offs,,,used for removing shoes for the hoof. Pull offs make great tools if you reshape the working ends,,All the pull offs I have seen or used had a little ball forged onto the end of the reins. Nippers do not have the ball. Most have a little flare on the end. Nippers are indeed made from tool steel and like above would likely not survive a quench from hot. GE is one of the better made nippers and run roughly $150 a pair. If you find any of the above for a good price buy them..If they are nippers,,especially if they are GE and they have some life left in them a farrier will likely let you walk away with some profit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Turner Posted February 1, 2007 Share Posted February 1, 2007 Thomas, Boy the farriers in your area work cheap, only $20 more than a smith . When I was shoeing in California I started at $200 and had a few that where almost $500. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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