Bustapepper Posted April 17, 2019 Share Posted April 17, 2019 Hello. I've been a member for a month or two, and I have finally built by first thing. A set of tongs to use. My question is on the orientation of how the tongs sit in your hand. I hold the tongs with my right hand a I built them in a way where the top reign is towards my thumb. And the bottom is is away from my thumb. Here is a picture of the orientation in my right hand To note this is the first thing I have forged. And in my mind I figured it is a great excersise to create the muscle memory and techniques to advance in my skill. Thank you to everyone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Latticino Posted April 17, 2019 Share Posted April 17, 2019 Nice job on your first tongs. Impressive work for a first forging, all around. As I understand it you have made them correctly for a left handed smith (hammer in left hand, tongs in right). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bustapepper Posted April 17, 2019 Author Share Posted April 17, 2019 That's good news to me. Little reassurance that I'm off to a good start. Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted April 18, 2019 Share Posted April 18, 2019 Take them to the forge and try them out. Your question will be answered if they are comfortable. Then make more to hold the stock you use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted April 18, 2019 Share Posted April 18, 2019 Those are correct Busta, good job. After you isolate and set the jaws a right handed person rotates the stock 1/4 turn to the left to forge the bolster. Left handed tongs get rotated 1/4 turn to the right to forge the bolster. When assembled this puts the top rein against your palm under your thumb and the bottom rein in your fingers. See YOUR picture for the illustration of left handed tongs. In this orientation gravity opens your tongs automatically when you open your hand. Also when you grip tightly your hand presses the tong halves together on the bolster so they don't wrack. (wobble on the pivot) Forging tongs isn't really a beginner project let alone a good first project. You made a darned nice pair, I'm really going to enjoy seeing your next couple pair. Sure they need some refinement and maybe won't fit the work the way you'd like but. . . DARN! You'll be giving lessons in no time. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bustapepper Posted April 19, 2019 Author Share Posted April 19, 2019 Thanks frosty. Just having fun in the garage not wanting to forge a sword lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anvil Posted April 19, 2019 Share Posted April 19, 2019 Yup, Im a lefty, and you got it right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted April 19, 2019 Share Posted April 19, 2019 You're welcome, my pleasure. Please include us in your fun, your first attempts are better than some of my "practiced successes." Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.