Made my first set of tongs today! Made from 1/2 inch rebar. The grips are 10 inches long. I have not completely finished fitting them and tweeking yet though. Thoughts on how to finish or improve these are welcome!

Nicely done. Tongs are hard to make, but they get easier with practice.


I'd bend the handle closer to the pivot point as they look a bit wide to hold comfortably.

I'd also grind off the bumps to make them more comfortable to hold.

All the best
Andy

NYS Designer Blacksmiths are in your area...look them up, it'll be fun

good start a little bit of a harsh angle on your hing area, keep at it. You are heading in the right direction.

Ditto good start.

Here's a link for those of you lucky enough to have these opportunities in the states:

One you can buy from and download:

http://www.teachingt...e=index&cPath=2

And one I would definitely have a subscription to if I lived in the states:

http://smartflix.com...4/Blacksmithing

I have the Bill Epps series from when I first started - a wealth of info and tips.

Go here: xxxxxxxx link removed xxxxxxxxxxxx for a zillion projects. Several ways to make tongs. PLEASE don't use the "twist jaw" tongs as you learning model...


mod norte: link removed as per request of that sites owner,

Looking good for a starter. Keep it up!

Thanks! I have no intentions of slowing down I caught the bug! :lol:

Eric, How Dare You??!!! The twist jaw WAS my learning model. I still have them. Although, now I use a mixture of made and bought. Just twisting you on that (pun intended). I only have the one pair.

Scavnger, for a first... not bad. looks like a viking style. There are many, many different ways to do tongs. And lots of them are here in IFI. just gotta do some digging. welcome to IFI.