jrmysell Posted August 7, 2021 Share Posted August 7, 2021 I'm working on some flat bar tongs from 1/4" x 1" x 24" bar stock. I got the reins on both sides forged out but the shoulders aren't even. I also measured and they aren't quite long enough according to the chart up top here. So I need to create a new shoulder for the boss and draw some more out on each end for the reins, but I have enough material that shouldn't be an issue. But it's going fairly well. I'm happy with my progress considering all I've done before this is a few leaf keychains. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyBones Posted August 7, 2021 Share Posted August 7, 2021 If the reigns are to short just forge out the bits and boss and weld on some reigns. That is how i usually make tongs, much easier than drawing them out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ted Ewert Posted August 7, 2021 Share Posted August 7, 2021 I think it's easier to forge the jaws and boss on the ends, but whatever works for you. Tongs are one of those things where many different ways to make them are possible, but tried and true works best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrmysell Posted August 7, 2021 Author Share Posted August 7, 2021 I am doing it this way first to not use tongs. Once I get the reins done, I can cut the middle and do the boss/bits. I thought about welding reins on as well, but need practice drawing out so this is good practice. Once I feel comfortable drawing out, that's probably what I'll do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted August 8, 2021 Share Posted August 8, 2021 When I make tongs from flat bar, I almost always do split reins. Isolate the material for the jaws and bosses at either end of a bar, and then split lengthwise down the middle. You can do further drawing out if you like, but the split gives you a good head start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hefty Posted August 12, 2021 Share Posted August 12, 2021 That's the best little tidbit I've come across in a while JHCC! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted August 12, 2021 Share Posted August 12, 2021 Thank you. I think I got the idea from Jennifer/jlpservicesinc, but the method has been around for a while. It appears in Practical Blacksmithing, although I can’t remember the page number. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frazer Posted August 12, 2021 Share Posted August 12, 2021 Page 12. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrmysell Posted August 22, 2021 Author Share Posted August 22, 2021 I like that idea but seems much harder to do without tongs to begin with. I have a set but they don't hold this flat bar very well. For the set I'm working on I got the reins drawn out a little more to a better length, go them split and did the indention for the bend. Will do that next time. It was getting real hot forging today in 100+ Texas heat. Figured stopping and preparing for the next part would be better than messing something up, hot and dehydrated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ted Ewert Posted August 22, 2021 Share Posted August 22, 2021 When I first started, I welded reins on some gas pliers for tongs. I still use those occasionally. Harbor Freight has cheap extended grip pliers which also work. A 2 lb HF sledge hammer is still one of my favorite hammers. It doesn't bounce like harder hammers, which I find more controllable. Hammers are like golf clubs: if you find one that hits straight, use it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted August 22, 2021 Share Posted August 22, 2021 We make tongs to make handling hot iron easier or possible at all. I'm not a fan of the above method but it's a pretty good method and no tongs necessary if you do it one end at a time. Use a cold chisel to mark the cuts and just heat one end, let it cool after you've parted that end THEN heat the other end and part. Sure it's more hassle but that's why you're making tongs. No? Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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