February 29, 201214 yr Well, as to the thickness, it depends on your work. If you'll be using them for some really heavy work (tool making and such) I'd go with at least 1/2 inch thickness. For some small work tongs, I see no reason why 5/16 inch or 1/4 inch shouldn't work. Carbon content doesn't matter a whole lot in tongs, as long as they don't get very brittle when quenching.
March 1, 201214 yr Author Well, as to the thickness, it depends on your work. If you'll be using them for some really heavy work (tool making and such) I'd go with at least 1/2 inch thickness. For some small work tongs, I see no reason why 5/16 inch or 1/4 inch shouldn't work. Carbon content doesn't matter a whole lot in tongs, as long as they don't get very brittle when quenching. got it, and about hammer making, any advice ?
March 1, 201214 yr For hammers I would either get some tool steel or weld up some pieces of rebar with a carbon steel plate welded on the front. In hammers the hardness does matter, so it really needs a carbon steel or tool steel face. Definately post pictures of your tongs once you've made them!
March 1, 201214 yr Author For hammers I would either get some tool steel or weld up some pieces of rebar with a carbon steel plate welded on the front. In hammers the hardness does matter, so it really needs a carbon steel or tool steel face. Definately post pictures of your tongs once you've made them! got it, im reading some books about blacksmithing, so it will take some time for me to make the tongs but when they're done i'll post it here.
March 1, 201214 yr I learned first by reading. There are a lot of good books and websites out there. That is a good resource for tongs and other tools. Definately get and read all the books you can. But more important than reading is doing. I like to say I used to know how to blacksmith in theory, but now I know how to do it in practice.
March 1, 201214 yr Author Thx for the link, sure i agree before i've start the forge i've read a lot but when i was putting more fuel and looking at the heated metal its other experience.
March 2, 201214 yr I also recommend just looking at various pictures of tongs on the internet. It really helps with getting an idea of what to make. Sketching out the designs are also good practice, with planning each heat's work.
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