Charles McDonald Posted April 28, 2013 Share Posted April 28, 2013 The first bolt tongs ive made! So far I have made several different kinds of tongs but ive neglected bolt tongs and so I figure I better change that!. These are to hold 5/8 square and round, but given the bits are short and the positioning of the reins they hold 3/4 quite nicely.These also work really well on flat bar and they have just enough clearance for RR spike heads. Let me know what you think :unsure: 4140 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhettbarnhart Posted April 28, 2013 Share Posted April 28, 2013 those are very nice....i need to forgea pair. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles McDonald Posted April 28, 2013 Author Share Posted April 28, 2013 Thank you, they were fun to make, a little time consuming given I had to fiddle-fart around for a century trying to get them adjusted how I want, but they work nice and I learned a lot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whirly Posted April 28, 2013 Share Posted April 28, 2013 A very tidy looking set of tongs. Good job Mate! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Coke Posted April 28, 2013 Share Posted April 28, 2013 Well done.... Can I order a set.... Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianbrazealblacksmith Posted April 28, 2013 Share Posted April 28, 2013 Nicely done, good job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted April 28, 2013 Share Posted April 28, 2013 Very pro looking. How much are you asking a pair? Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joshua.M Posted April 28, 2013 Share Posted April 28, 2013 very nice! what size was the starting stock? Josh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles McDonald Posted April 28, 2013 Author Share Posted April 28, 2013 Wow thank you all! And here I was fussing over them not being as nice as I had hoped... Jim Coke & Frosty: Im sorry to say I am not really planning on making any tongs to sell. Eventually when I get a lot better hand hammering and or I get a power hammer Ill be happy to sell things like this, but right now Im anything but efficient making these. Thats the grand complement though and I appreciate it! Joshua: The starting stock I used was 5/8 round 4140. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Solano Posted April 28, 2013 Share Posted April 28, 2013 those are real nice Jakob, a benchmark for some of use to achieve. All of your stuff has been great to see, thanks for the photos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Private Entrance Posted April 29, 2013 Share Posted April 29, 2013 Those are nice, and you avoided the mistake I made with mine - making them too 'delicate.' My next pair is going to be heavier built at the jaws, like yours. My current set has just a bit too much spring in them and I don't feel like they are holding quite secure enough sometimes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles McDonald Posted April 30, 2013 Author Share Posted April 30, 2013 Thanks fellas! Private Entrance: Yeah I try to keep things a little meaty around the bosses, bits and the start of the reins. I like the reins springy, but not too much so I keep them about 3/8 most of the time. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Private Entrance Posted April 30, 2013 Share Posted April 30, 2013 That looks like a good call - mine usually end up closer to 1/4" by the time I'm done making them look halfway decent. More practice needed on my part so they look ok without being overworked down to nothing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toolish Posted May 1, 2013 Share Posted May 1, 2013 I was in the middle of making a set my self, after looking at these I am cutting the end off and starting again lol What I was making was going to end up to delicate and would not have lasted very long. Yours look very solid and should last you a long time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFullSmokingBar Posted May 1, 2013 Share Posted May 1, 2013 A set worthy of Hephaestus himself!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metalmangeler Posted May 2, 2013 Share Posted May 2, 2013 Really nice looking tongs for a first bolt tongs. I normally use 4140 for tongs as well, it seems to be a nice steel for tongs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colorblind72 Posted May 2, 2013 Share Posted May 2, 2013 Very nice tongs! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted May 2, 2013 Share Posted May 2, 2013 Really nice looking tongs for a first bolt tongs. I normally use 4140 for tongs as well, it seems to be a nice steel for tongs. Mark: I may have asked already but what size stock do you use and where do you buy your 4140 for tongs. Frosty the Lucky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metalmangeler Posted May 3, 2013 Share Posted May 3, 2013 Hi Frosty mostly I use 5/8 round like was used in these bolt tongs. For the smaller ones I use 1/2 round. I remember hearing that Jay Sharp used to use 3/4 round I do not know if that is true, but I think it is, it seems to be easier for those of us without the upsetter like Grant had, to start with plenty to work with. I get mine at either Great Land welding or Weld Air. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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