Whiskeysup Posted October 23, 2018 Share Posted October 23, 2018 Anyone know what these tongs are for? Thought they were for opening metal drums but they don't shear. Googling the name I cant find anything. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted October 23, 2018 Share Posted October 23, 2018 Sorry I can't help with the tongs but this thread will help you get the best out of the forum. https://www.iforgeiron.com/topic/53873-read-this-first/ BTW Welcome to IFI. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted October 23, 2018 Share Posted October 23, 2018 Is that patent info on it? If so check it out online! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whiskeysup Posted October 24, 2018 Author Share Posted October 24, 2018 First of all thanks to all that have responded, I am very new to blacksmithing, still in the collecting gear phase. It is easy to misinterpret words especially when texting(which I hate to do)-brief statements are often so. Thank you Steve Sells for redirecting my post to the "Tongs" section-I did not see it as this was the first time on this great site. Looking forward to gaining skill and knowledge through the experience of forum members. Still trying to figure out what these tongs are for, wife said they are castrating tongs-a little worried why that was her first thought! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WayneCoeArtistBlacksmith Posted October 24, 2018 Share Posted October 24, 2018 Whiskeysup,, that was a very gracious response. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ausfire Posted October 24, 2018 Share Posted October 24, 2018 37 minutes ago, Whiskeysup said: Still trying to figure out what these tongs are for, wife said they are castrating tongs-a little worried why that was her first thought! Ha Ha. She may well be right! I would not be surprised if they have a veterinary use. And I agree with Wayne. The tone of your response would indicate that you will fit in well here. Welcome to the forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc1 Posted October 24, 2018 Share Posted October 24, 2018 I remember seeing that contraption before, a long time ago. Looks really familiar but can't remember what it is for. It may come back ... or not. Not tongs that's for sure, so it's in the wrong section. Should be in the mystery contraption section. Whiskey ... don't mind the locals, just do your thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ausfire Posted October 24, 2018 Share Posted October 24, 2018 That Merrill Bros company made a lot of steel clamping devices, plate lifters etc. Are they perhaps heavy duty wire cutters?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lazyassforge Posted October 24, 2018 Share Posted October 24, 2018 Whiskey , I am extremely curious what that tool is! I would post pictures over at papaws wrench in the tooltalk forum. Those guys rattle off information about obscure tools all the time. Hope this helps, Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted October 24, 2018 Share Posted October 24, 2018 My Daughter's a Veterinarian here in NM and nope they are not tongs for neutering animals. If I had some time I'd peruse my 100 year old Sears & Roebuck catalog reprints. Unfortunately I'm booked till Monday night getting ready to visit my shop and forge at an SCA event and sweep the chimney at my northern house, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted October 24, 2018 Share Posted October 24, 2018 They look like they would be for guiding or tensoning something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted October 24, 2018 Share Posted October 24, 2018 searching for Merrill Brothers Brooklyn NY surfaced quite a lot of info on the company including a listing for some of their trade catalogs at a museum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc1 Posted October 24, 2018 Share Posted October 24, 2018 Something about tensioning fencing wire? It's hovering around my memory chamber but does not want to come out ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whiskeysup Posted October 25, 2018 Author Share Posted October 25, 2018 Whoo eee! Thanks for all the responses. Took it out to the fence, couldn't figure out how to use it for tightening the wire. I am wondering if it was used for twisting wire, the shape of the points has me wondering. Also the longer of the "flats" is beveled to an edge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted October 25, 2018 Share Posted October 25, 2018 That company was known for steel handling equipment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc1 Posted October 25, 2018 Share Posted October 25, 2018 i think your first guess was right ... a giant tin opener for drums, called a drum deheader. www.youtube.com/watch?v=kichc9RzHew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kozzy Posted October 25, 2018 Share Posted October 25, 2018 If I had to guess.... That company was big into drop hammers to make ceiling tin tiles--those decorative roughly 12" x 12" stamped tin pieces that get nailed up in old-school ceilings. Those have some thickness..often more than 3/8" after stamping... which would account for the wider duck-bill portion but are lightweight and easily damaged which would account for the small gripper part. I certainly would prefer to put those in and take them out of the hammer with tongs rather than my hands, especially when working fast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc1 Posted October 25, 2018 Share Posted October 25, 2018 The way it works is by holding onto the rolled edge of the drum with the mobil finger and then you push the sharp flat into the top by pushing the handles forward. The other flat is for guide on the outside. Then again it could be to extract Rinoceront molars Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whiskeysup Posted October 25, 2018 Author Share Posted October 25, 2018 Marc1 gets the ceegar! I went back out to the burn barrel and played with.the tongs. The first time I assumed it sheared the metal like scissors. Instead the two points grip the rolled top edge then you squeeze the tongs and pull down. It cuts the drum head similar to the old P38 can openers we had in the Army. The beveled part is curved to match the inside of the drum. Thanks for all the responses, I guess I won't be pounding them into tongs I can use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted October 28, 2018 Share Posted October 28, 2018 As the original question was answered, the thread is locked. Off topic posts have been moved to another thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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