Ironpp Posted May 28, 2019 Share Posted May 28, 2019 Hey it’s been 3 days since I turned on my first forge, read several books but have no practice, made 3 sets of tongs horrible but they work... will read more and try to forge something better cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted May 28, 2019 Share Posted May 28, 2019 We all gotta start somewhere! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted June 7, 2019 Share Posted June 7, 2019 I've made worse. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrTMichaud Posted June 11, 2019 Share Posted June 11, 2019 Practice makes closer to perfect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raworx Posted June 24, 2019 Share Posted June 24, 2019 How do they work? Better than anything I have pounded out do far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyGoatLady Posted June 24, 2019 Share Posted June 24, 2019 (edited) Ironpp It's good you're getting out there and doing something. I have no hands on teaching. Mostly what I've learned is from here on IFI and from select videos and some book learning. But it doesn't really kick in until ýou do it with your own hands. And you might figure out some things that you didn't read or see first. Enjoy it and nice tongs. Edited June 24, 2019 by Mod30 Corrected an error. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arkie Posted June 25, 2019 Share Posted June 25, 2019 Save your first tongs. I've still got mine. Keep making your tongs, practicing the technique, and when you look back on the first one, you'll be surprised at how much skill you have developed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ironpp Posted June 25, 2019 Author Share Posted June 25, 2019 thanks , I’ll keep posting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobody Special Posted June 26, 2019 Share Posted June 26, 2019 My first ones were...ugly. You're not doing too bad. Keep practicing. They'll get there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyGoatLady Posted June 26, 2019 Share Posted June 26, 2019 I haven't made any tongs. Just modified some. You're ahead of me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arkie Posted June 26, 2019 Share Posted June 26, 2019 If you can get your hands on some farrier's nippers/clippers, they can become some great tongs. Just don't be quenching them in water if you get them really hot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyGoatLady Posted June 26, 2019 Share Posted June 26, 2019 Hoof nippers are easy to find around here. Usually cheap too. But I notice if they have a tag that reads " Blacksmith Tongs", they want to charge a little more for them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George N. M. Posted June 26, 2019 Share Posted June 26, 2019 A couple of thoughts: A. If it's ugly but works it's not ugly. B. Mr. Vicegrip is your friend. C. There is an Islamic legend that Allah gave the first black smith the first pair of tongs because you need a pair of tongs to make a pair of tongs. "By hammer and hand all arts do stand." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pnut Posted June 27, 2019 Share Posted June 27, 2019 Those look just like twist tongs are supposed to look. You can tweak the reins a little if they're not comfortable to use or make a c shaped ring to help hold the reins together so you don't have to squeeze as tight. Make sure the bits fit the stock you are working. Heat up the bits grab the stock and shape them to the stock with the hammer. Pnut Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ausfire Posted June 27, 2019 Share Posted June 27, 2019 Good on you for getting in and giving it a go! They don't have to be pretty to be useful, workable tongs. As stated above, keep those tongs to compare with what you will make in the future. And keep us posted as your skills develop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ironpp Posted June 27, 2019 Author Share Posted June 27, 2019 Thanks for te great responses... and by the way.... the statement is true... you need one pair of Tongs to make one good pair of tongs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted June 27, 2019 Share Posted June 27, 2019 Actually NO! Just use long enough stock that you don't need tongs to hold it while working it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted June 27, 2019 Share Posted June 27, 2019 I'm no hand at making tongs but I never use a pair to make a pair, unless you count slipping the rivet in if they're still too hot to touch. Metalmangler makes tongs too fast to follow what he's doing and he doesn't use tongs making them. He slows down considerably when he's doing a demo or holding a tong class. If you draw out the reins first you can hold them while you forge the bolster and bits. hmmm? I try to never use tongs if I can get around it, they just add another level of separation between you and the work. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris C Posted June 27, 2019 Share Posted June 27, 2019 So you hold the work with your hands???????????? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted June 27, 2019 Share Posted June 27, 2019 DUH! What else are you going to hold it with, your mouth? If you have 18-24" between your hand and the hot glowy part it won't get too hot to hold. That's why I keep water near the forge so I can cool the part I'm holding when it starts to get warm. When you make tongs by drawing the reins first to hold they can end up a little long so you need to trim them. Unless you drew the reins REALLY long and left a thick section on the far end so you could forge the other half of the tongs! Forge tongs with hammer, anvil, chisel and punch. A rivet header is really nice but you can do without. Always remember the ancient blacksmith saying I made up some time ago, "Carpe Terminus Frigis." Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris C Posted June 27, 2019 Share Posted June 27, 2019 I've watched some guys make tongs (on Youtube) without tongs the way you are describing. Pretty cool to watch. I've so much to learn Frosty. At least I know/admit it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted June 27, 2019 Share Posted June 27, 2019 We all do Chris, the more you learn about the craft the more you realize you don't know. It's a never ending learning curve that just keeps growing. The wise recognize their ignorance. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris C Posted June 27, 2019 Share Posted June 27, 2019 You mean I might qualify as a "wise old owl"..............or just old? 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.