The Topic of the Month for May 2015, is making tongs. We all need tongs for holding our forging projects. There is nothing more frustrating than not having the tongs that you need to hold your work. It's not always convenient to put off your work to order a set of tongs and wait for them to be delivered. And sometimes, it isn't possible to purchase tongs that will properly hold your work.
I know we have some members of this forum, who are good at making tongs. Please share your techniques for making tongs and also for modifying existing tongs to hold a specific project.
If you know of books, videos or internet resources for learning how to make tongs, please share that information.
Steve
This is an excellent Topic of the Month.
A while back Ed Clarke filmed a video tutorial on making tongs for bladesmithing and sent it to me. I edited the footage and uploaded it in two parts on the ABS YouTube Channel. See below:
ABS YouTube Video - How to Make Tongs for Bladesmithing by Ed Clarke
Ed Clarke shows how to make tongs that will hold your work securely while forging a blade for a knife. This video is part 1 of 2 in a series on the ABS YouTube Channel and has had more than 4,900 views.
[media] http://www.youtube.c...h?v=RQPCaM6G6W4 [/media]
This video is Part 2 of 2.
[media] http://www.youtube.c...h?v=JAhJY-q4KK8 [/media]
Thank you Ed! Great job!
Dan Cassidy
Journeyman Smith
Send an email to Dan
Great video, Ed! I made a tong like that, it works fine but forged it too thin at the hinge. The right size is important (like knives) to keep the tongs flexible at the handles and stronger in the front.
Another video to watch on you tube: world championship tong forging. (forging tongs in 45min with beautiful results, a must watch!)
I wonder if using springsteel would benefit the flexibility and toughness? In a unhardened condition, of course...
Thanks
I swear i think I would attend a class at some hammer-in 
if there was one available.
Karl B. Andersen
Journeyman Smith
ABS YouTube Channel Video - Forging Wolf Jaw Tongs with a Welded Rein by Dereck Glaser
In this ABS YouTube Channel video New England School of Metalwork Director Dereck Glaser demonstrates forging a Wolf Jaw Tong with a forge welded rein. The New England School of Metalwork in Auburn, Maine offers classes in bladesmithing, blacksmithing, and welding.
[media] http://www.youtube.c...h?v=GboOwm1ZeEc [/media]
Dan Cassidy
Journeyman Smith
Send an email to Dan
I've been meaning to take a crack at fabricating this tong making jig for my press, but I've yet to get around to it. I imagine that it wouldn't be that difficult to utilize the jig with a hand hammer either. Hopefully this is a productive reply and doesn't ruffle the feathers of the traditional methods presented thus far.
<≠> SINE PARI <≠>
After watching Ed's videos a few times I had to give it a go. I learned quite a bit about forging and blacksmithing in general in this adventure. I think they turned out pretty well over all. I need to tighten the rivet a little and tweak one of the reins but I can use them as is for now. Pretty cool and fun to make.
Well done Barry! Those turned out fine.
Joshua States
www.dosgatosforge.com
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdJMFMqnbLYqv965xd64vYg
https://www.facebook.com/dos.gatos.71
Also on Instagram and Facebook as J.States Bladesmith
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