my tongs

ScottRoush

ScottRoush

Joined
Jan 10, 2010
Messages
1,818
so how would you modify these to make em better other than throw em away (somebody will say it)? They are about 2' long.
 
would a picture help?

DSC01159.jpg
 
Those look like crucible tongs to me. Too thin for forging steel but they have an interesting pivot design. I would suggest buying a new pair or making your own.
 
Those are some pretty sweet looking tongs, I have to say. My comment though is that I've worked with that type of joint before (on several different projects, none that were knife related) and my concern is that they don't really allow the application of that much force. The point of tongs (aside from keeping the skin on your hands) is to gain a mechanical advantage which makes holding steel easier, and that design isn't really conducive with that application.

Definitely keep them, because they're very cool and I'm sure you can find a use for them, but I would probably just make a new set entirely.
 
I wouldn't modify them at all... if your goal is to flip a log in the fireplace. Those are log turning tongs. Now on the other hand, if you want to forget some steel, get a set of forging tongs.

Brad
www.andersonknives.ca
 
Keep those and use them when stoking and shaping your hot coals. Thats all they're good for. Buy some roundbar or square bar (some people use rebar), about 24 in x 1/4 in, and make your own. Its not that hard. Just make sure you don't quench them. They'll become too brittle to be of any use.
There are several varieties of tongs, each with a different set of jaws. You're first set should be simple with a flat jaw like these.
Large_tongs_by_ipneto.jpg

Other sets have jaws designed for holding specific types of stock, such as round bar, square bar.
Tongs_by_Daffy666.jpg
 
yeah.... I thought so. Somebody gave em to me today and I was wondering if I could make use. I'm still getting all my stuff together. But I thought they could keep me from burning my hairs off while retrieving small knives from the furnace until I can make something better.
 
I found some tongs at an antique store, they were only $15 so I decided to get them. I also found out that I can make a pair of tongs out of a set of those extra long reach pliers, like the needle nose style pliers that I think are about 16" long or so. I just ground off the tapered part of the nose and rounded them off. They end up looking just like blacksmith tongs, just smaller.
 
Mossanimal said:
yeah.... I thought so. Somebody gave em to me today and I was wondering if I could make use. I'm still getting all my stuff together. But I thought they could keep me from burning my hairs off while retrieving small knives from the furnace until I can make something better.
Click to expand...

If removing knives from a furnace is all you use them for, thats okay. Just don't use them for holding stock in place while hammering. They just won't work.
 
Yep... that's all I'm using em for. I still don't have my forge and anvil and all that together for forging yet. I'm just doing stock removal right now.... But forging is coming soon. I admit... I was kinda wondering if I could make use of em for forging my little knives... But I guess not.
 
My first time forging I was surprised with how hard it was to hold the steel. Having the right tongs for the work will make a big difference in how much you enjoy forging.
 
After this post I've been looking into making some as soon as I can fire up my forge and find an anvil. It looks pretty straightforward. And fun.
 
thompsonblades said:
Keep those and use them when stoking and shaping your hot coals. Thats all they're good for. Buy some roundbar or square bar (some people use rebar), about 24 in x 1/4 in, and make your own. Its not that hard. Just make sure you don't quench them. They'll become too brittle to be of any use.
There are several varieties of tongs, each with a different set of jaws. You're first set should be simple with a flat jaw like these.
Large_tongs_by_ipneto.jpg

Other sets have jaws designed for holding specific types of stock, such as round bar, square bar.
Tongs_by_Daffy666.jpg
Click to expand...

Did you forge all those tongs?
 
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