Blacksmithing for Beginners - Forging Tong Blanks

[@dirk4926]

Great video, I really like the way you did that side by side video to show the proper heating and talked about how it affected the workability of the steel.

[@howardrichburg2398]

thank you Denis for the tip o practicing making tong blanks. it is frustrating to make sickly looking tongs. you make a very valid point.

[@buddyletendre]

I like the idea. It's a great way to practice techniques. Too often I see experienced smiths recommend "just forge tapers" or "make scrolls" that's fine and dandy, but at the end of the day; you just used a lot of stock and are left with nothing but scraps. And I have done it myself. But this leaves you with something you can actually use in the long run. Either way, great video! Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@workwithnature]

You know I think that is really a great bit of advise to to the blanks first. Just working on my first tongs now. First try I got a tiny fracture so turned them around and started again. Now having some experience can't believe how well they are turning out am pleased with the results so far. Thanks for the tips.

[@yetanotheaverageguy]

Good advice to work through the basics and analyze technique. I appreciate the time to focus on teaching the foundational skills instead of hurrying through the process as if beginners know how.

[@deliaguzman1138]

Really appreciate your detail--I always have a heck of a time working heavier material (anything bigger than 1/2"), and I'm sure it's because I'm not heating it thoroughly like you showed. Thank you! I'll try it tonight!

[@AfricanSouthernCross]

Really excellent tutorial and great to hear the finer details.

[@fleastomper]

Very good video, Dennis. Great advice and the idea of forging tong blanks to train endurance is brilliant!

[@jojomama4787]

such a great video,so important!wish more people would watch and pay attention,just good advice!thanks so much...

[@joerodriguez7803]

Thank You Sir. Very much appreciated.

[@ProfessorDMA]

Thanks for these videos!

ótimo vídeo como sempre,parabéns,like.

[@prospecting3826]

Great stuff really enjoyed it.

[@jamescopeland5358]

Thx Dennis

[@prospecting3826]

Great video, when you're drawing out the reins are you using the round end of the hammer or the flat end?

[@tophatbandit580]

I struggle so much with making tongs. I've only been able to make one pair that was functional but it doesn't have a good grip on the material Im working with. Im mostly afraid of making tongs because I can't seem to get them to match and fit well together as well as I hate wasting what metal I have.

[@df-intheshop330]

Next week I'm taking these blanks and making a pair of tongs so hopefully it will answer some questions

[@ffracaroli]

Do I have to make tongs using carbon steel, what type? Hardened?

[@df-intheshop330]

All my regular forging tongs are made out of hot rolled mild steel. Using carbon steel ( 5160 ) allows you to make tongs that are much lighter yet have the same holding power but it is a lot more expensive unless you have a good scrap source.

[@ffracaroli]

Thanks for the reply. there are 2 scrap yards around my city. one is expensive, they sell things at the price of new stuff, the other, is less expensive, but there are less "nice stuff" for selling.

[@jeffery19677]

I just made my first pair of tongs TODAY. Right before I saw this video. SMH. Mine are made of 1/2 rebar. They are ugly. They work. I know they are too small. But I learned a lot today. Tonight, I learned I need to find about 20 feet of 5/8 steel. NOT rebar. LOL But today was not a total loss. I got to "heat it and beat it"!

[@df-intheshop330]

There is nothing wrong with rebar. Use whatever you have to work out the problems. The process of making tongs is the same regardless of the size or shape of bar you start with. For example my rushlights ( basically a small pair of tongs on a stand) are made with 3/8 square bar. I have also made tongs from 4" common nails ( when my eyesight was better) for a woodcarver doing a blacksmith shop. The point is they all look like tongs and they were all made the same way they were just different sizes. If you are having a problem - figure out that problem before moving on. Don't compound that problem by adding to other problems you still need to work out.

[@jeffery19677]

I have already identified a couple of things I did wrong just from this video. I picked up some more mild steel yesterday and I will get busy this weekend. I think I will follow your advice and make some blanks for a while. Thanks for all you do. :-)

[@johnwest4788]

I have to admit that my tongs are butt ugly. But my last pair was not as ugly as the first. I also find it easier to do a forward taper than a reverse taper so for my next pair, I'm planning to do the blanks from a single bar as you did in this video, but rather than have the reins in the center, I'm going to taper the reins on either end and then cut the bar in the center to finish with the bosses and bits. I think that that will allow me to do the entire project without having to hold the blanks with tongs.

[@df-intheshop330]

I did do these without tongs but I did need to cool the ends a few times.

[@johnwest4788]

Yes, I see that you did. The reason I want to start with the reins on the ends is that I struggle with the reverse tapers.