Ed,

That's an excellent video as well as a handy tong design. I don't use tongs often but this design makes me want a pair or two like this. Thanks for taking the time & sharing with us.

Gary

Nice tongs! Thanks for taking time to do this video, Ed.

And thanks to Dan, for his work to edit and upload the video to the ABS channel!

Thanks, guys! I had a lot of fun doing it...besides, Dan did the hard part <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//wink.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=';)' />

Thank you Ed for filming the videos and Steve for your comments.

I recently purchased and used Final Cut Pro X to add titles, transitions, captions, special effects (slow motion clip at the forge), and enhancements to the audio and video. Apple's Final Cut Pro X is professional quality software that I am learning to use and will help me to create more quality videos for the ABS YouTube Channel.

I am always looking for more videos from our members on forging, heat treating, bladesmithing techniques, performance testing, jigs and tools. If you can film a video for the ABS YouTube Channel, call me first and I will give you some useful tips. Also, please do not add any music as almost all is copyrighted or owned by 3rd parties and YouTube can detect it within about one minute after upload and impose penalties on our Channel.

As of today the ABS YouTube Channel has:

Subscribers: 1,841

Video Views: 348,693

Uploads: 82

Excellent video Ed. I have this bookmarked, and I'll be making a set once I am up and running.

yes thank you Ed and Dan ! book marked for future use , excellent job

Thanks again Ed. Watched them for the third time, great work. Some tongs are in my future. Great job editing Dan.

Brion

Thanks, everyone, for the kind words...

Just an interesting note here: You can make these tongs to use with square or round stock as well. Just use a piece of the desired shape/size stock as your jig <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//smile.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' />

Thanks guys for doing this!

Construction questions Ed...

1. At the beginning of part two you have already marked one side of the tongs where the other side will line up and cross it. How did you decide where to do that and at what angle?
2. The hole you drilled looked to be slightly off center from edge to edge. Is that so? If so, why?
3. Was that a 1/4" hole and rivet rod stock?
4. You didn't show marking out the hole for the other half. Any tips as to how to mark the spot for the other hole to best make sure it all lines up right when done?
5. At about the 1 minute mark of part two you start to show how to off set the halves to allow the thickness of the stock. You mention to do half the thickness on each side. Where exactly do you make that offset? It looks to be a bit in front of the rivet hole.
6. At about 2:45 you mention you need to fix the the offset you just did, because it's a little too deep. You do that off camera though. How did you do that?

   Thanks, Phil

    

Hi Phil!

These tongs are meant to be easy, quick, & cheap to make, but also work well. Most of the decisions as to where things line up, etc., are made based on the average width of the blade stock the tongs will be holding. That being said, I will try to answer your questions in order.

1) I started at the center of the cross-over sections and adjusted from there. If you want, put a piece of the intended width blade stock in the tongs as if they were assembled and line things up. You want the reigns a comfortable distance apart. If they won't line-up and fit in your hand close to comfortably, then the 45 degree angle below the rivet will have to be adjusted at the end. (Remember, if you're off a little, the final step is heating up the entire tong and adjusting.) You may use whatever angle you prefer when forging the "45's" (30, 50, whatever), 45 degrees is just a good guideline, as long as they're the same everything should line-up. If you look at the first pair I hold up, you'll see I didn't use 45's.

2) You are correct, the rivet hole was drilled slightly off-center. I would love to tell you there is a good reason for this, but I can't <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//blink.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':blink:' />

3) I used 3/16" rivet stock w/ a 3/16" hole, which is sufficient.

4) After drilling the first rivet hole, lay out the tongs again, w/stock in place if you wish, and center punch the spot for the other hole through the first hole.

5) You're right, I made the off-set pretty close to the rivet. Just make sure the off-set and/or blade stock will not interfere with the tong operation. You can make the ends of the tongs as long or short as you deem necessary.

6) Yes, I got a little hammer-happy when I forged the off-set. It's an easy fix...re-heat and forge it flatter. The critical "fitting" comes at the end. You want to have the tongs contacting the blade stock on all four sides, that's what makes them hold so well.

I hope this helps clarify things. I'm more than happy to post some additional pics if anyone wants, just say the word <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//cool.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='B)' />

Ed C.

THANKS Ed!!!

My first major project after getting the gas forge built was to build a set of bladesmith tongs. I followed this video, and it went together well. Thanks for the excellent tutorial!

Yes, Ed's videos are very easy to follow. I've made several for myself and others!

Thank You Ed!

Bob

My pleasure, guys!