Hammer eye tongs! I came across a set of these at a swapmeet and did not end up buying them because I did not know what they were. For $10 bucks I will never make that mistake again. Glad to find out in this video what they actually were.
A drawknife would be a cool project, my younger brother is a woodworker so i could make him a good drawknife, I've already made him a carpenters chisel and a small carving knife, I love challenges. Keep up the good work and i will continue watching yours videos for the next few years. This is the most educational channel on the Internet I've ever found. Greetings from Poland.
John, many thanks for all your excellent videos. I really enjoy the detail you go into. Something I would be very interested to see is discussion on which 3-4 pairs of tongs you'd make first. I know this will vary greatly between smiths, and depends on what people intend to make, but still a topic I think worth hearing the views of experienced smiths. I've not seen it discussed much on any of the other blacksmithing channels either.
Thank you ! I think you pick what works for you or make what feels good . I have some injuries' so tend to use a smaller hammer now ,due to pain ! My wrist hurts at times too !
Woodworkers never have enough clamps; smiths never have enough tongs. Ah, Off Center Products -- I bought my first several tongs when Grant Sarver (Rest in Peace...) was still making them. Great tools, and I'm glad that Blacksmith's Depot is carrying on with them. Clyde
Good to see stuff I know to confirm I got it and great to see stuff I don’t know. I can 100% understand you not lighting the forge when it’s a scorching hot day. It’s all good. I’m on the edge of my seat (well almost 😀)
Great tutorial , Those are one item , I am shy on , I am going to watch the vid on Sloted thongs , hoping I will learn enough to make a pair , Hope to see you again on line ! Take Care
i struggled with tongs when i started hitting hot steel. i mangled quite a few attempts, believe it! tongs were the first thing i endeavoured to make, once it became clear that multigrips and so forth weren't cutting the mustard. the process of laying out the blank.. i watched so many tutorials, hours of them i reckon, but as soon as i was at my railroad track anvil- blank and utter confusion. anyway, i finally managed to knock out a pair- kinda sorta flat bit/v-bit all rounders; really ugly and ultra flimsy, but it managed to give me a bit of a rise and the left/left/left thing sank in. i now have about ten or so pairs, mostly the bolt style which i really like; but ive made a couple of knife making tongs, box jaw(a decent first go), a couple of epic fireplace tongs that pretty much mirror those pickup tongs in the vid('cept for being heaps more hefty and fullered grippage the whole inside length of the jaws), a pair of pickup tongs out of a past failure, etcetera. now, i LOVE banging out tongs.. which, as you said John, have begun to show a style theme of my own, and are getting much neater in the finish to boot. it seems one can't really have enough tongs, which is cool, cos then i get to make another pair. i must say, all that drawing out has been super good practice! anyway, i now know why all the photos of blacksmith shops are bursting at the proverbial seams with tongs 😜
Great collection you have there! A couple of videos ago I asked about those "posniak"(?) Tongs because I've never seen any and I love the the design. They look very solid. I will try to make myself a pair and see how it goes. Thank you for showing them!
You mentioned a video of tong-making with the treadle hammer and thinking what that might look like. I’ve made a couple of pairs of split-rein tongs, and using the treadle hammer made a WORLD of difference. Much easier to power through those long splits than with a hand hammer, and easier to hold the stock and chisel, too.
Addendum: since my own treadle hammer is an add-on to my regular forging anvil, a heavy-duty cutting saddle to protect the face and the hot-cut from each other is a must.
I have a pair of those small narrow "bolt tongs" with the narrow slots. Advertised as knife makers tongs. After shaping blade and you are cutting off the bar you hold the blade with those tongs to form the handle portion.
Great video. I love me some good tongs. It seems like you can never have enough pairs. Can't wait cuz I need to make a bunch of different styles. 👍👍🔨on!
This is more a comment about the last two videos. Check out Glen from "GS tongs" on YT. He is working on a balcony of a multi story apartment building in Manila sitting down. His setup is the smallest blacksmith shop I have ever seen. If you sit down you can't move very far fast, so you have to optimise your setup. His way to deal with the heat, tropics, with typical 30 - 35C (sorry don't know what that is in Frankenstein) with high humidity, is to work in shorts, sleveless t-shirts and sneekers..... Don't think it's possible any council / city here in NZ or in particular in America would allow people to work like this.
Excellent info, John. I've mentioned in the past that I've put together some tongs from Ken's Iron. The flat-jaw tongs have a lot of material and I've thought a lot about how to forge them into other tong shapes, namely the wolf jaw as you showed in the video. I'd love to see an example of that, when you have time. :)
I want to see the bolt jaw tongs personally. That's what I need to make next in my shop. Can you make all these types of tongs out of the same starting material? That's my plan at least, I bought 60 feet of 3/4" round for that purpose. With that stock I've just made a pair that holds.... 3/4 inch round. This way I can easily hold the tong stock as I make other types. Thanks for your continued work in the shop with the hammer and anvil, and also the camera, microphone, and lights -- nevermind the computer work in the studio too. Computers and programs/applications are filddly creatures, it's no simple feat to produce, edit, and publish videos. Much obliged.
insperatus Just a quick answer. 3/4 is a medium tong. Will make you long lasting tongs. I forged the head heavy upsetting if necessary. I would do what he was suggesting, cut and forge weld to bar. I don't like Drawing Out if I don't have to lol. Oh you could make allot of tongs from 3/4 it depends on the material you are holding 3/4 might hold 2 inch bar where 1 1/4 forged into tongs could 3 or 3 1/2 hope it helps.
i have been reusing steel from old fabricated "wrought iron" gates etc. mostly square, but some round; others rectangular. i even had a good 10' length of 1" rebar to make good chunky tongs.. a whole lotta drawing out! but most of what i get is around 20mm, some 5/8". i find i can keep 'em hefty enough if i take that into account when i lay 'em out. and yeah, a touch of upsetting here n there helps ♒
I've come a long way at drawing out since the first pair I made! Brian Brazeal's tong video in particular -- ruclips.net/video/CH980wjMyaM/видео.html -- helped me understand how to do it more efficiently. I would like to try some forge welding, I'll have to move my forge outside in order to try that however -- running one burner inside because that's all my exhaust system can handle. Not quite hot enough with only the one firing.
My first couple pairs were from "found" metal. Both were square stock though I don't recall the sizes, still a of drawing out though. One chunk was laying around in someone's back yard for who knows how long, big crates rusted out, and another was a plant hanger my buddy stole from his wife hah.
Hey John, I’m just getting started in the blacksmithing trade, so I’m trying to learn all the different types of metals and what’s best used for what, such as what’s good for tools like hammers and such.. I’ve watched a lot of Alec Steele videos and he uses a lot of 1055 and 1080 he says but when I look online for these metals, it’s like they don’t even list them on there sites... is that because he’s in Europe and here in the US metals are called something else? Thanks for taking the time to read this.
You didn't mention scrolling tongs (but even though they are called tongs, and kinda look look like tongs, they're used differently). I'm sure there are other types you didn't mention, but as you said, some tongs are only rarely used. There are also tong making jigs for the power hammer. I've seen those at BIG DOG FORGE and Purgatory Ironworks. Maybe you could show them one of these years.
John, looking forward to tong making but I have a question. Rasps!!! what type of rasp is used for blacksmithing? As a joiner I use them for wood. So is it the same type of rasp that just works because the metal is hot or are they specially made for hot iron? Would love you to solve my conundrum, thanks. Hugo Dale N. Ireland
Well I had my safety glasses save my butt yesterday, goggles actually. Couldn't find my face shield so put on an old pair of clear goggles over my glasses. Well, I caught an edge of the flap disc on what I was prepping for welding, and the entire outer edge of the flap disc disinigrated in my face. Sure glad I didn't not take the time to adjust the elastic band so the goggles would stay on my head. Oh and by the way the cheap ass flapdiscs that I will never buy again are called PREFERD. They are garbage.
Scrap yard often have anvil like things available. If you can get in touch with your local blacksmithing group, someone might know where there is an anvil available.
Joey van der steeg is the man, a very great teacher
Thanks for showing us various types of tongs.
Hammer eye tongs! I came across a set of these at a swapmeet and did not end up buying them because I did not know what they were. For $10 bucks I will never make that mistake again. Glad to find out in this video what they actually were.
A drawknife would be a cool project, my younger brother is a woodworker so i could make him a good drawknife, I've already made him a carpenters chisel and a small carving knife, I love challenges. Keep up the good work and i will continue watching yours videos for the next few years. This is the most educational channel on the Internet I've ever found. Greetings from Poland.
Thank you
Yep, good idea... video's for the coming years 👍👍!
Great videos, mate. You speak my kind of English. You've enspired my son and myself to produce videos based on your projects.
Cheers
I am glad the videos are helpful
I vote for pause tongs first. They are the tong that I keep seeing you use, and am like, I want that.
yeah what he said
John, many thanks for all your excellent videos. I really enjoy the detail you go into. Something I would be very interested to see is discussion on which 3-4 pairs of tongs you'd make first. I know this will vary greatly between smiths, and depends on what people intend to make, but still a topic I think worth hearing the views of experienced smiths. I've not seen it discussed much on any of the other blacksmithing channels either.
Thank you ! I think you pick what works for you or make what feels good . I have some injuries' so tend to use a smaller hammer now ,due to pain ! My wrist hurts at times too !
Like those hammer eye tongs. Good selection.
Work With Nature glad too see you!
Very informative, thanks for taking time on videos like this!
Woodworkers never have enough clamps; smiths never have enough tongs. Ah, Off Center Products -- I bought my first several tongs when Grant Sarver (Rest in Peace...) was still making them. Great tools, and I'm glad that Blacksmith's Depot is carrying on with them. Clyde
Good to see stuff I know to confirm I got it and great to see stuff I don’t know.
I can 100% understand you not lighting the forge when it’s a scorching hot day.
It’s all good. I’m on the edge of my seat (well almost 😀)
Seen and used most, but never have seen the hammer head working tongs. Sweet design!😋
Great tutorial , Those are one item , I am shy on , I am going to watch the vid on Sloted thongs , hoping I will learn enough to make a pair , Hope to see you again on line ! Take Care
This was a great help. I am just now trying to collect different tongs. Thank You!
i struggled with tongs when i started hitting hot steel. i mangled quite a few attempts, believe it! tongs were the first thing i endeavoured to make, once it became clear that multigrips and so forth weren't cutting the mustard. the process of laying out the blank.. i watched so many tutorials, hours of them i reckon, but as soon as i was at my railroad track anvil- blank and utter confusion. anyway, i finally managed to knock out a pair- kinda sorta flat bit/v-bit all rounders; really ugly and ultra flimsy, but it managed to give me a bit of a rise and the left/left/left thing sank in. i now have about ten or so pairs, mostly the bolt style which i really like; but ive made a couple of knife making tongs, box jaw(a decent first go), a couple of epic fireplace tongs that pretty much mirror those pickup tongs in the vid('cept for being heaps more hefty and fullered grippage the whole inside length of the jaws), a pair of pickup tongs out of a past failure, etcetera. now, i LOVE banging out tongs.. which, as you said John, have begun to show a style theme of my own, and are getting much neater in the finish to boot. it seems one can't really have enough tongs, which is cool, cos then i get to make another pair. i must say, all that drawing out has been super good practice! anyway, i now know why all the photos of blacksmith shops are bursting at the proverbial seams with tongs 😜
Tongs. Always love a tong video
Great collection you have there! A couple of videos ago I asked about those "posniak"(?) Tongs because I've never seen any and I love the the design. They look very solid. I will try to make myself a pair and see how it goes. Thank you for showing them!
Good video John, at your suggestion I purchased the rapid tong set from Ken's Custom iron. Can't wait to give it a go. Thank you.
You mentioned a video of tong-making with the treadle hammer and thinking what that might look like. I’ve made a couple of pairs of split-rein tongs, and using the treadle hammer made a WORLD of difference. Much easier to power through those long splits than with a hand hammer, and easier to hold the stock and chisel, too.
Very good idea.
Addendum: since my own treadle hammer is an add-on to my regular forging anvil, a heavy-duty cutting saddle to protect the face and the hot-cut from each other is a must.
I have a pair of those small narrow "bolt tongs" with the narrow slots. Advertised as knife makers tongs.
After shaping blade and you are cutting off the bar you hold the blade with those tongs to form the handle portion.
Great video. I love me some good tongs. It seems like you can never have enough pairs. Can't wait cuz I need to make a bunch of different styles. 👍👍🔨on!
This is more a comment about the last two videos.
Check out Glen from "GS tongs" on YT. He is working on a balcony of a multi story apartment building in Manila sitting down. His setup is the smallest blacksmith shop I have ever seen. If you sit down you can't move very far fast, so you have to optimise your setup.
His way to deal with the heat, tropics, with typical 30 - 35C (sorry don't know what that is in Frankenstein) with high humidity, is to work in shorts, sleveless t-shirts and sneekers.....
Don't think it's possible any council / city here in NZ or in particular in America would allow people to work like this.
Good discussion thank you for the education.
Thanks for this vid John
I need me some wolf jaws new project.
Excellent info, John. I've mentioned in the past that I've put together some tongs from Ken's Iron. The flat-jaw tongs have a lot of material and I've thought a lot about how to forge them into other tong shapes, namely the wolf jaw as you showed in the video. I'd love to see an example of that, when you have time. :)
I do plan to do several more using his tongs as a starting point.
My first pair of tongs was a cheap pair of wire pliers with welded extensions for the handles,..... they were ugly,.... but I still use them
I want to see the bolt jaw tongs personally. That's what I need to make next in my shop. Can you make all these types of tongs out of the same starting material? That's my plan at least, I bought 60 feet of 3/4" round for that purpose. With that stock I've just made a pair that holds.... 3/4 inch round. This way I can easily hold the tong stock as I make other types.
Thanks for your continued work in the shop with the hammer and anvil, and also the camera, microphone, and lights -- nevermind the computer work in the studio too. Computers and programs/applications are filddly creatures, it's no simple feat to produce, edit, and publish videos. Much obliged.
insperatus Just a quick answer. 3/4 is a medium tong. Will make you long lasting tongs. I forged the head heavy upsetting if necessary. I would do what he was suggesting, cut and forge weld to bar. I don't like Drawing Out if I don't have to lol. Oh you could make allot of tongs from 3/4 it depends on the material you are holding 3/4 might hold 2 inch bar where 1 1/4 forged into tongs could 3 or 3 1/2 hope it helps.
You can make some very nice tongs with 3/4" round although I tend to start with flat bar for the bolt tongs
i have been reusing steel from old fabricated "wrought iron" gates etc. mostly square, but some round; others rectangular. i even had a good 10' length of 1" rebar to make good chunky tongs.. a whole lotta drawing out! but most of what i get is around 20mm, some 5/8". i find i can keep 'em hefty enough if i take that into account when i lay 'em out. and yeah, a touch of upsetting here n there helps ♒
I've come a long way at drawing out since the first pair I made! Brian Brazeal's tong video in particular -- ruclips.net/video/CH980wjMyaM/видео.html -- helped me understand how to do it more efficiently.
I would like to try some forge welding, I'll have to move my forge outside in order to try that however -- running one burner inside because that's all my exhaust system can handle. Not quite hot enough with only the one firing.
My first couple pairs were from "found" metal. Both were square stock though I don't recall the sizes, still a of drawing out though. One chunk was laying around in someone's back yard for who knows how long, big crates rusted out, and another was a plant hanger my buddy stole from his wife hah.
Hey John, I’m just getting started in the blacksmithing trade, so I’m trying to learn all the different types of metals and what’s best used for what, such as what’s good for tools like hammers and such.. I’ve watched a lot of Alec Steele videos and he uses a lot of 1055 and 1080 he says but when I look online for these metals, it’s like they don’t even list them on there sites... is that because he’s in Europe and here in the US metals are called something else? Thanks for taking the time to read this.
The names on those steels would be the same. There are thousands of different steels out there and it is sometimes hard to find certain things.
You didn't mention scrolling tongs (but even though they are called tongs, and kinda look look like tongs, they're used differently). I'm sure there are other types you didn't mention, but as you said, some tongs are only rarely used.
There are also tong making jigs for the power hammer. I've seen those at BIG DOG FORGE and Purgatory Ironworks. Maybe you could show them one of these years.
I will show the one I use at some point
John, looking forward to tong making but I have a question. Rasps!!! what type of rasp is used for blacksmithing? As a joiner I use them for wood. So is it the same type of rasp that just works because the metal is hot or are they specially made for hot iron? Would love you to solve my conundrum, thanks. Hugo Dale N. Ireland
an old worn out farriers rasp is ideal.
I can’t imagine how you would make hammer eye tongs, short of punching and adding a rivet on the jaws.
Well I had my safety glasses save my butt yesterday, goggles actually.
Couldn't find my face shield so put on an old pair of clear goggles over my glasses.
Well, I caught an edge of the flap disc on what I was prepping for welding, and the entire outer edge of the flap disc disinigrated in my face. Sure glad I didn't not take the time to adjust the elastic band so the goggles would stay on my head.
Oh and by the way the cheap ass flapdiscs that I will never buy again are called PREFERD. They are garbage.
I am glad it worked out well for you
What are the chances of your putting all the tong videos into a chronological or subject-based playlist on your RUclips playlist page?
They are in a play list ruclips.net/video/dHrgefJ7NvI/видео.html and you can create your own tongs playlist.
Does any one know where I can get a good anvil without going broke? I am in college and don't have a lot of money.
get a railroad track plate (google it) that's what i use its usually free to find but if you can't find it it also very inexpensive.
OutdoorsWithTurners do you mean the thing the rail sits on that connects it to the wood?
D Day Invader If you have a scrap yard near you they often time will have steel blocks. eBay has a decent selection of useful steel.
Scrap yard often have anvil like things available. If you can get in
touch with your local blacksmithing group, someone might know where
there is an anvil available.
Black Bear Forge man I wish there was one near me. I live in Chicago, so as far as I am aware there are no groups which is a shame.
First. Yea.
And in less than 1 minute from the time the upload finished
Black Bear Forge I’m really not stalking you, but if you could move a little left I could see a lot better.
😂😱
Abby Babby winner winner, chicken dinner!
The Gunter's website: www.g3blacksmithing.com/about.html
Saw this joke meme on Reddit recently, very relevant; www.reddit.com/r/Blacksmith/comments/8kuaqt/when_someone_says_that/