Happy 4th

[Fossil_160]

So I decided to start up my forge today for the second time, (first time was a trial run and I made a coal scraper.)  So I received a set of leaf springs from a friend and decided to make some tongs.  I had a set of channel locks and my angle grinder and cut off two 10" x 1" sections of flat stock.  As I was learning to work the metal and figuring out the heat of the metal, I strike the steel and the nut on the channel locks stripped off allowing the super heated piece of metal to bounce off the anvil and hit me in the face, just above my mouth.  Needless to say it cut my lip and cauterized it all at the same time.  

 

Not fazed though, I went back out and got back on the horse straightening a coil spring. I figure it would be easier to make tongs out of the round stock thats 20"ish, then the two 10" pieces that I need to use the pliers.  So far I am really enjoying this as a hobby and hopefully will be able to continue for the long haul, I haven't been this excited about anything in a long time.

 

 

[Glenn]

A good reason to wear safety glasses. Hint use vise grips which can be locked onto the work piece, not channel locks which are adjustable pliers, until you can build tongs that FIT your work.

 

 

Tongs can be made from 2 pieces of 1/4 x 1/2 or 3/4 flat bar. Drill or punch a hole 3 inches from one end that fits the rivet or bolt you have on hand. Heat the jaws and rivet in the fire and place 2 inches of the jaws in the vise leaving about an inch between the top of the vise and the rivet. Put a twisting device such as a crescent wrench between the vice and rivet and turn it 90* degrees, or quarter turn. Heat the jaws and put the stock you will be using in the jaws and form the jaws around that stock. Peen the rivet in place.