Justin Topp Posted February 1, 2020 Share Posted February 1, 2020 First attempt at box jaw tongs from 3/4” mild steel to hold 3/4” mild steel. Forgot to leave the extra metal for the box so I ended up with barely a box but it holds it great so it won’t slip any direction so I’d count that as a success Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlpservicesinc Posted February 1, 2020 Share Posted February 1, 2020 They look very good. You forged the reins out? Is that snow? If you work at the anvil be sure and get it above freezing and be careful about working on the horn and heel.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted February 1, 2020 Share Posted February 1, 2020 They look like my pair, that I made from an old pair of wrought iron farriers nippers and I've been at this for 30+ years. The main thing is that they work and you should be proud of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Topp Posted February 1, 2020 Author Share Posted February 1, 2020 Thank you both! Yes I forged the reigns our used about 6-7” of 3/4” square. Don’t remember exact length. Yes that is snow and a lot of it. I preheat my anvil before use or else it just sucks all the heat away. We have horses and we show them our self so lots of old farriers nippers. Didn’t even think of making box jaws out of them. Might have to give it a go one of these days. I need a shop..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rojo Pedro Posted February 1, 2020 Share Posted February 1, 2020 OMG! Yup, you need a shop not sorry to say its going to be 75 today but at least you are forging. I will have no time for awhile :-( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted February 1, 2020 Share Posted February 1, 2020 I have repurposed a lot of nippers into tongs over the years. Usually find them at yard sales or junk shops for around a dollar or two (cheaper than new stock). I heat the rivet and drive it out, reshape the jaws and reinstall the rivet or make a new one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Topp Posted February 1, 2020 Author Share Posted February 1, 2020 At least I can forge haha I’ll have to try that with some of our old nippers. I have a whole jar of rivets so I’ll probably just use a new one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les L Posted February 1, 2020 Share Posted February 1, 2020 I think you’re forging just to try to stay warm. I’m at 58 right now, low of 41 tonight, but high of 70 tomorrow. It’s been this way all of our “winter” this year. We can’t get adjusted and everybody is getting sick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Topp Posted February 1, 2020 Author Share Posted February 1, 2020 Probably hah It’s been in the 25s recently so that’s been good. Last winter it was below 0 for most of the winter (3 months straight) and one blizzard it was -60ish with high wind haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SLAG Posted February 1, 2020 Share Posted February 1, 2020 Mr. Dig2, Has stated, "Last winter it was below 0 for most of the winter (3 months straight) and one blizzard it was -60ish ... ) In SLAG's personal opinion, that would be wonderful! I miss winter. SLAG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Topp Posted February 2, 2020 Author Share Posted February 2, 2020 I love winter and the negatives don’t bother me. That -60 was pretty dang cold though. At least I could stay home and not interact with anyone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted February 3, 2020 Share Posted February 3, 2020 Slag, winter's still there; just move North, (or waaaaay south). GD2; I've seen forges in tepees; but it looks like you are working on putting one in an igloo! Not having the fancy boots I found that putting down a scrap piece of plywood over the snow would help keep my feet warmer when I lived in a slightly colder climate. When it got below 20 degF, I moved into the basement with a 1 soft firebrick forge. Out here if it snows I can wait a day or two and it's gone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Topp Posted February 3, 2020 Author Share Posted February 3, 2020 I’ve almost got an igloo haha. It shrunk a lot from a 40 degree day we had. Dunno why it got so warm but it was nice. Made an axe I posted in the axe section. I have insulated leather boots rated -40 so I’m all good On the cold feet aspect. I typically don’t forge when it’s bellow zero unless it’s been a few days and I’m desperate. when it snows here I have to wait 5-6 months for it all to vanish haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted February 3, 2020 Share Posted February 3, 2020 I ended up getting Adult Onset Juvenile Diabetes 20 years ago and now I'm not "allowed" to run risks with my feet anymore. At least my German Combat boots count as "protective wear" for my feet. They shrug off dropped red hot steel a lot better than sneakers do! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Topp Posted February 3, 2020 Author Share Posted February 3, 2020 I switched to boots when my sneaker caught fire... oops. My boots are also more comfortable to work in and my summer boots are steel toed so even better Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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