Don't Laugh!

[The Gopher]

I prefer "inventive" but "cheapskate" is probably more appropriate. I wanted to get my first pair of tongs, but couldn't afford them right now. So i grabbed a pair of lineman pliers and modified the jaws so that they are approximately parallel when holding a typical knife blade thickness, i then bought a 3 foot section of steel tubing, cut it in half and slid them on the pliers handles. since i don't own a welder i drilled a hole and bolted them on for security. They seem to grab and hold well and should get me by as i save my pennies

 

[T.Saslow]

Hahaha! Your a Genius xD I don't see why it won't work. Good idea

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Go to HF and get a set of the long reach needle nose pliers. Cut the jaws off so they are only about 1" long. Many of us have a few of these "utility tongs" in our bin. Cost is about $6 each.
http://www.harborfreight.com/16-inch-long-reach-pliers-set-38598.html

 

[tattooedfreak]

If you want practice though, get a bar of rebar and check out the tutorials and make a set of tongs. Its fairly simple.

 

[Atlas Knife Company]

What? I've seen plenty of those! Usually because tongs are out of stock whenever I go to order them.

 

[Jonathans]

Ditto on Stacey's suggestion. Great pick ups.

 

[Bailey Knives]

I have a set of tongs that I did exactly the same way, except I welded the handles (poorly). I have actual tongs now but I still use them from time to time.

 

[David LaFerney]

My tongs are slip joint pliers with rods welded on - Same thing. It works. No worries.

 

[Daado]

Few years ago, i found pliers like that on local scrapyard. I welded the handles, and i still use them as pickup tongs for smaller pieces.
As long as they do their job, there's nothing to laugh about.