Hey all, I'm about as "new guy" as new guys get, but I finally got most of the tools and materials together to start a project. First thing I tried was a pair of tongs(since I dont have any), but with much cursing and lots of propane wasted, I gave up and did an easier first project. I made a nail! It's a big ass nail, but a nail.
Skills I learned: drawing, rounding, upsetting the head, making a point.
Now I need another (very) simple project to start expanding my skill base, hopefully one that educates me on how to build more needed tools (hot cut hardy, will mild steel work?), tongs ( without a bending fork, I don't have that either) , etc. any guidance would be very helpful.

You could make a bending fork.... use 1/2 inch stock (or bigger), would look like a football goal post that fits into the hardy hole.

Hmm good point. Next project! Thanks lol.

well done for doing the nail legg - i think its got to be a good place to start - i started trying to make all many of ridiculous over ambitious things, and it has taken me some years to realise that its best to start by PROPERLY learning the basics! i dont think i knew what the basics were - had i had this forum to babysit me, i would have learned faster how about a hold fast for your anvil if you have one? i keep meaning to make one of those things... bet it would be really useful... :)

You could get an old hammer head for your hot cut, that's what i did 3 months ago and it's been working a treat.
Just did some really basic heat treat on it and it's worked out fine. just needs a touch up with a flap disc occassionally

as far as tongs do each step 10 times and cut it off each time and through it away before you know it you will be making them with no trouble. look up Mark Aspery and Brian Brazeal on youtube and see the projects that he has.its a great starting point

Make a hook! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-S5SAJLMOI (What I refer to as a "half-lap" blow in this video is also known as a "half-on-half-off" blow.)

Or a leaf! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mG-fIPeLjyI (I've improved somewhat since that video......MAYBE!)

Follow http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/yhst-17797617870419/twistjawtongs.pdf and get any size flat, not just the one mentioned and 2 pairs of vise grips, when you come to the twist, use the two pairs of vise grips right next to each other to make the twist, as long as you pay attention to the alignments, it doesn't really matter how bad they look.

You can also use round stock with little modification.

Since you've made a nail, maybe you can make ... a nail header - it's fairly easy to do with a railroad spike or a large grade 8 bolt. (The bolt will probably be plated, but this is easily removed in vinegar overnight.)

Thanks for all the ideas guys, this is going to keep me busy for weeks/months!