a62rambler Posted May 12, 2012 Posted May 12, 2012 I don't have an anvil yet but I just couldn't stand it anymore. I used a hammer head and a peice of scrap and made these tongs. I guess you could say my anvil is a piece of scrap. The tongs work is about their only saving grace. But now maybe I can use them to make some better tongs. I punched the hole for the rivet and used a blue steel machine screw. Punching was work and I think I'll mount those two tiny little plugs as a trophy! Quote
CurlyGeorge Posted May 12, 2012 Posted May 12, 2012 Eric, that looks good. Your temporary anvil will work just fine, 'til you can get a bigger chunk of metal. Nice job. Thanks for sharing. :) Quote
Larry H Posted May 12, 2012 Posted May 12, 2012 I'll tell you what .....Those tongs beat my first pair by a mile. congrats Quote
Marksnagel Posted May 12, 2012 Posted May 12, 2012 Great first thongs! They will do you well for a long time. Great idea for an anvil. Good thinking. Quote
Francis Trez Cole Posted May 13, 2012 Posted May 13, 2012 look up biran brazeal striking anvil I built one for around 35.00 great first try Quote
Ridgewayforge Posted May 13, 2012 Posted May 13, 2012 If those are your "wall of shame" tongs, I'd hate to see the good ones! :) Good work! Quote
Frosty Posted May 13, 2012 Posted May 13, 2012 I don't see anything wrong with those, they'll serve well for many years to come. Your field expedient anvil is perfectly serviceable as well,I've used and made worse. The cross pein on end pein up, makes a dandy fullering die. Frosty The Lucky. Quote
eric sprado Posted May 13, 2012 Posted May 13, 2012 No flies on those tongs!!! Especially using the limited tools you have.. You're rolling!!!!!! Quote
Private Entrance Posted May 13, 2012 Posted May 13, 2012 Heck of a lot better than my first pair. Or my second. And probably my third (which are in progress). Very nice. Quote
wolfshieldrx Posted May 13, 2012 Posted May 13, 2012 Looks great! Head and sholders above my first tongs. Keep making them...each set gets a little better. bart Quote
VaughnT Posted May 13, 2012 Posted May 13, 2012 Considering that I'm lousy at making tongs, you're first set is very impressive. That you did it with so little "professional" tooling makes it even more so. Fantastic. What kind of metal did you use for them? Quote
a62rambler Posted May 14, 2012 Author Posted May 14, 2012 Considering that I'm lousy at making tongs, you're first set is very impressive. That you did it with so little "professional" tooling makes it even more so. Fantastic. What kind of metal did you use for them? I used 1/2" round 1018. I need to draw out the reigns and form them a bunch more. I used them today to start forging my fire poker. They work... barely but at least I'm not saying, "@#$% that's hot" as much. :D Quote
a62rambler Posted May 14, 2012 Author Posted May 14, 2012 There's another post called unknown tool. I thought maybe the moderators had renamed my post after seeing my tongs. :lol: Quote
robert hanford Posted May 14, 2012 Posted May 14, 2012 Great job! Much better than my first pair of tongs. I am sure you will get a lot of pleasure out of using them. Isn't it amazing when they actually work? Quote
Dave_in_OK Posted May 17, 2012 Posted May 17, 2012 I'll be making my first set tomorrow if they turn out half as nice as yours I'll be happy. Quote
Elemental Metal Creations Posted May 17, 2012 Posted May 17, 2012 Nice tongs, glad to see you heating & beating, I know you have been waiting awhile. I have yet to make tongs, I have been lucky enough to find several sets for cheap. When I do get around to making some I hope they turn out half as nice as yours. Quote
a62rambler Posted May 20, 2012 Author Posted May 20, 2012 Thanks for the encouragement. Yesterday I finished my fire poker and made a coal rake. I also upgraded my anvil. I remembered I had a half inch thick piece of wrought or cast iron so I cut a six inch long piece. Doubling the weight of my anvil made a big difference. :lol: I posted a pic to show the tools made by the tool and the new improved anvil. I think today I may make another set of tongs. I used the side of my anvil stump to bend the coal rake. Smokey but effective. Quote
a62rambler Posted May 26, 2012 Author Posted May 26, 2012 Broke down and used a Wilton vise as anvil today. Amazing how much more metal I can move with something that resists the hammer better. That is until I broke the swivel. I spent the rest of my forging time welding my vise base back together. It worked and we'll see how long until I break something else on the vise. I'm close to getting my anvil and then I'll have some things to post. Quote
FieryFurnace Posted May 26, 2012 Posted May 26, 2012 Hey there! There is a guy down in Glasgow Kentucky with anvils for sale. Look on bowling green craigslist. Not sure of his prices, but you might give that a try. Having said that, you certainly made the best of what you have, and turned out a nice looking piece of hardware. Quote
a62rambler Posted May 27, 2012 Author Posted May 27, 2012 Thanks Fiery, I'll look him up. I'm actually in the process of getting an anvil. I'll find out this week if it's going to happen for sure or if I have to go to plan B. I've got a local ferrier supply store that is supposed to order a 200 lb Smithy Special with his annual order so I don't have to pay shipping and he gave me a good price. If that falls through it's back to searching as I've done for now two years. I'd like to make a road trip one of these days and get up your way. I can't get directions from the State Highway department since they don't know where Paducah or Columbia is since it isn't Frankfort, Lexington or Louisville. :o Quote
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