Blacksmithing - Forging a pair of bolt tongs

[@brucek6563]

Who ever taught you blacksmithing, should be proud of you. You have to be an artist and a mathematician to be as good as you are. There was a lot of work put into those tongs and they look perfect. Awesome!! Love your videos!!!

[@torbjornahman]

Thank you Bruce!!

[@brucek6563]

@@torbjornahman You're welcome!

[@evgenyneo3377]

No doubt the best tongs making video on KZbin.I personally watch it each time i need a new pair of tongs made for my shop just to refresh the memory. Great respect!

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks!

[@gfodale]

That has got to be some of the best hammer control I've seen in a you-tube video. Also, to those just starting out and watching this video, note the precision of the initial layout. He produced exactly what he intended without wasted material, or just being 'close' to what he had in mind. There are a few books out there that will teach you the math behind it. Kudos to you and your instructor Torbjörn.

[@torbjornahman]

gfodale Thank you very much!

[@bascostbudde7614]

It's inspiring to see you address small problems before they become large. Riding a bike comes to mind: one makes small corrections all the time "in order not to fall", or "in order to drive straight", while the attention is on getting somewhere.

[@Vikingwerk]

The precision you have punching the holes is amazing.

[@jonka1]

You made a beautiful tool with a lot of care. Lovely to watch you fashion the metal blow by blow. Thank you also for the natural soundtrack.

[@torbjornahman]

Thank you!

[@carlpbrill]

I love that sound CRUMPH CRUMPH ting ting CRUMPH. What a terrific video! I wish I'd seen it before I struggled through my first pair.

[@alextrofimov7947]

Your attention to details is incredible! I'm not a blacksmith, but I feel like I learn a lot from you.

[@iwdavey]

Thanks!

[@torbjornahman]

Thank you so much Davey! It means a lot!

[@paulus281059]

An absolute work of art, if I can get my bolt tongs looking half as good as that, I'll be well pleased. What a great detailed visual tutorial this is and the one I am using as a guide for my bolt tongs. Great stuff Torbjörn.

[@torbjornahman]

Great! Thank you Paul!!

[@BobbyMcL088]

I have one thought for you sir. Please make more videos? How about a hinge? Some woodworking tools like a chisel? I sat here and watched four straight videos. They are well edited and presented. No verbal commentary from you at all and still giving us some solid learning through your technique and craftmanship.. Keep up the good work! Thanx, Bubba

[@torbjornahman]

Mclaughlin088 Thanks! I will... currently a bit distracted by other things and rebuilding/reorganizing my shop. Installing a new power hammer....

[@KPutubing]

amazing. I really appreciate the craftsmanship. very well done video, easy to watch. I like how you show a bit in real time and then speed it up. good stuff.

[@mkivy]

Such talent....my wife and I are mesmerized by your work...taking a raw piece of metal and making something beautiful and functional...

[@torbjornahman]

That's awesome, thanks!

[@ukemike1]

The thing that keeps impressing me is the level of precision he exhibits. Many of you have probably watched the show "Forged in Fire" where they have specs like, "the blade must be between 10 and 13 inches long and sometimes the contestants miss it. Torbjorn regularly makes items with millimeter precision.

[@jojomama4787]

I watched this film many times then I would try to make the tongs and watch it again,I repeated this process quite a few times until I started making tongs I felt happy with...I really can't thank this man enough

[@torbjornahman]

Great!!! I'm glad you learned something from it. Thanks!!

[@frankmchutchison9436]

Thanks

[@markphillips3250]

Beautiful display of craftsmanship.

[@davidsarnik5612]

Great Video! These are my favorite style of tongs and I have been watching how others make them to refine my process. Very impressed.

[@tooterr102e.9]

The way you made it to fit square stock was really nice to watch. Thank you for sharing

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks!

[@Soulsmithing]

Fantastic video! Lesson learned: plan well, take your time and do good work. Thank you so much!

[@Taranis00]

I've never seen anyone draw the design directly on the anvil, that's pretty cool. Very good video all around.

[@akhandpratapsingh9717]

Dude your work is effortless, love to see how you do things with such ease.

[@kensmapleleafretirement]

Thank you for sharing your techniques and skills with us. I am making my first pair of bolt Tongs this week, yes, I said this week I have the reins drawn out now and I am on day three. I am having a ball.... I am retired and in no rush...

[@torbjornahman]

:) Great!

[@Big222Dog]

Really nice work. Don't know why some people gave this a thumbs down, I wish I had them. I like your style. I don't have a power hammer , but once I am better at forge welding I forge weld on the arms. Thanks for sharing.

[@torbjornahman]

Great! Thanks

[@WUNDER8AR]

I admire your work! I work as a blacksmith, yet in our workshop we'd probably drill the holes for the rivets and make the cuts on the tip with the angle grinder. Provided that I could convince my boss to let us make our own tongs in the first place instead of buying some at the blacksmith supplier. It's a shame really when even the old blacksmith says it's not worth it just buy it elsewhere. But I'll get there eventually. Will be making my own collection of tongs some day and you're a great inspiration!

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks! It's ok to take some shortcuts if it does not affect the end result I think. Only thing to note when grinding or drilling is that you remove material and might need to compensate for that.

[@TheRicchini]

Really incredible craftsmanship. Those tongs will still work 500 years from now. Really inspiring video, the quality of the craftsmanship is just superb. Bravo.

[@torbjornahman]

TheRicchini Thanks!

[@kirkruiz12]

Nice job! I liked how you didn't just beat a pair out and ended the video you showed how to customize them to get a better fit for yourself and liking .

[@RenatSavi]

So wonderful to revisit this video after 5 years for me at least. :D

[@trevorzzealley2670]

A wonderful craftsman at work . Practicing an ancient craft , whereby not only using the tools of trade , but making them as well . It completes a full circle .

[@paulschambach1231]

I forged this one together with a friend. It works awsome and your video was a great help.

[@torbjornahman]

Great! Good luck with your next project!

[@TheLazyGuyWay]

A true craftsman, so far the best I've seen on YT...

[@torbjornahman]

Thank you! :)

[@robertpatrick1824]

Nice video. You could hardly be inspired by a better smith and person than my late friend, Toby. Any smith is honored in memory by things you learn from them. Toby would be proud of you!

[@torbjornahman]

Robert Patrick Thank you! RIP Toby.

[@keylock9064]

very, very nicely done the skill and craftsmanship in each tool his the heart and soul of the real iron worker.

[@torbjornahman]

Key Lock Thanks

[@ScabbyCrab]

I'm a blacksmithing student and your videos are so helpful.

[@torbjornahman]

Great!! Thanks

[@ScabbyCrab]

No, thank you!

[@gregiep]

I never thought I'd think tongs were sexy until I took up hobby blacksmithing. Good work, man!

[@torbjornahman]

:) Thanks

[@Snafu6996]

This design is the strongest I have seen and a interesting method of using flat bar for fabrication.

[@MarkAspery]

Very nice.! Thank you for showing this... and for mentioning Toby.

[@torbjornahman]

+Mark Aspery Thanks Mark! Your books and videos have been a great source of inspiration!

[@aryabima6076]

What

[@noctismortis7349]

@@aryabima6076 "wHaT" He read that guys book dumbass

[@gomadoe]

You are truly a great in the art of blacksmithing . I love your videos . Thank you for the hours of beautiful creations.

[@torbjornahman]

Thank you!

[@RoleyChiu]

can't stop watching these videos.

[@FamilyFriendlyBushcraft]

Love the attention to detail even in "simple" tongs. With nobody to learn from round here I made my first set from precut stock and find your video's invaluable for learning. I don't have the power hammers and heavier kit but learning lots.

[@torbjornahman]

Cool, thanks!

[@djay6651]

There is something aesthetically pleasing to the look of hammered iron......

[@karthickvaikai]

DavidSixSixFive

[@coen8323]

DavidSixSixFive steel*

[@stillenacht8518]

BLACKDOG Ha! I actually lawled.

[@klausmoser796]

Hllo

[@williamsampson5319]

you are a very skilled blacksmith I have just started forging and you have helped me greatly i love your videos

[@torbjornahman]

William Sampson Thank you, glad to hear that.

[@stoll7726]

Can I like this video every time I watch it? You do an awesome, neatly executed job. Very inspirational for apprentice blacksmiths

[@torbjornahman]

:) Thanks!

[@scottjosen2606]

Torbjõrn, Just got anvil and though I've beat on much cold steel over the years, I look forward to forging hot steel. Your videos are extremely well made and you craftsmanship suberb! Thanks!

[@torbjornahman]

Sounds great! Thanks

[@exilfromsanity]

Great work, a pleasure to watch. Thank you for publishing this.

[@tristanpatterson3843]

So nice to look at some measurements that make sense. Love your videos.

[@xylemmelyx]

I'm a little bit late to the party here, but my god, you do such beautiful work. Thanks.

[@torbjornahman]

Thank you!

[@lenblacksmith8559]

I just keep watching this video, it's pure craftsmanship and such an eye for detail. I am attempting my first bolt tongs and if they're half or quarter as good as yours i'll be happy...hahah.

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks!! Hope you get lucky!

[@aaron.shafer]

I thought this project was doomed -- just about halfway through the video -- but these are great. Good work. I may try this same technique.

[@eskileriksson4457]

När du smidde ut klorna efter fyrkantsstålet blev det tummen upp& sub direkt. Snyggt!

[@torbjornahman]

Eskil Eriksson Tack!

[@karlos1008]

Loved this. Great work. I'm looking at learning blacksmithing as a hobby. It's always fascinated me. For now though I'll just go watch all your vids haha

[@torbjornahman]

Karl Black Ha ha, thanks!

[@Escumbuit77]

Thanks, ....inbetween you have become my blacksmith teacher :-)))

[@darlenefronsee7357]

worked in blacksmith shop BUTTE MT --1970--1975 Best years of my life;;; the old heads the best to learn from good storys .easy wayes to get job right the firstime;;;; LOVED THEM ALL

[@henryhamilton9574]

I'm glad you offset the reins. A good 3/8 or 1/2 inch rivet. Nicely done video and fun to watch forging. Best regards from a Canadian smith.

[@torbjornahman]

Thank you!

[@RonRay]

Best set I've ever seen made!

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks Ron.

[@williamfordham8081]

I think two people pressed the wrong thumb button! And your work is awesome! :)

[@АндрейВинничук-в3у]

Very, very good work !!!

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks!

[@ΜιχαληςΜιχαλης-θ5π]

Great craftsmanship . I love these kind of videos ...

[@almarodriguez3158]

Hola Torbjorn!!! muy agradecida con tus vídeos!!! son bellisimos!!! Eres un excelente artesano y el compartir la manufactura de tus herramientas es extraordinario!!! muchas, muchas gracias!!! que Dios te siga llenando de inspiración!!! te envió un gran abrazo desde nuestro bello México!!!

[@torbjornahman]

Thank you very much Alma!!

[@opforgeron]

Nice video. Very nice tip with the spring c-clamp for holding and balancing the tong while you split the end. I should do that next time I I will forge a new pair of tongs.

[@torbjornahman]

Thank you!

[@JonasTheLundh]

Riktigt bra videor! Jag har nyligen börjat med smide som hobby, har gjort lite krokar, spik och lite annat smått och gott innan och håller för närvarande på att göra min första kniv. Jag vill bara tacka så mycket för allt du lägger upp, jag lär mig en massa av det =)

[@torbjornahman]

Jonas Lundh Tack. Kul. Hoppas det inspirerar en del för det är nog min främsta tanke.

[@JonasTheLundh]

Torbjörn Åhman Absolut. Har huvudet fullt med idéer!

[@СергейРожкин-и2я]

Произведение искусства , шедевр ! Я с экрана мобильного вижу как легко держать заготовку такими клещами .

[@joaomarioguerra4395]

Excellent Tool, congratulations on the job!

[@dudemakesstuff]

Thanks for this video! I did 4 tries and I still can't get what I want. I got a good hint from your video: using the vice to hammer on the inner side of the jaw to get it more square. I see that you only use the rounded side of the anvil to refine the circle, not to make it, anothet mistake I was making: hammering like crazy on the rounded horn, steel slipping away continously. Thanks a lot :)

[@pbbvpht4833]

this particular film showed quite a few techniques I am wanting to make use of,thanks!

[@torbjornahman]

Great! Thanks

[@mauriciodeiana1111]

EXCELLENT! Hälsningar från Mar del Plata, Argentina.

[@DavideServolini]

amazing tools... seems a piece of art from the past

[@MarkThomas123]

A precision pair.. Nice Job Torbjorn.

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks Mark.

[@JoseSilveira-newhandleforYT]

I just missed my lunch time watching this... Great job!

[@marciofernandobarci]

Beautifull/ great - you show perfectly the correct sequence of work...your knowledge is superb congratulations

[@torbjornahman]

Marcio Fernando Barci Thanks!

[@АндрейВинничук-в3у]

Good work, good forging tongs.

[@torbjornahman]

Thank you!

[@bescheniy]

Видео просто супер , как учебное пособие для начинающих .Огромное спасибо!!!!!!!!

[@torbjornahman]

Человек Разумный Thanks!

[@rocketman13f51]

I noticed on your large anvil that there is an indentation on the top left side approximately half way between the butt of the anvil and the tip of the horn. It appears that is your “sweet spot” on the anvil and it is on the opposite side from where you stand to work. It doesn’t appear to be a cut in, so I guess after tens of thousands of strikes by your hammer you have molded the anvil to your needs. Great work !

[@torbjornahman]

:) No I simply rounded off that part since there were some damage to the edge there when I got it. I like to forge on that rounded part. A sharp edge is 95% unusable.

[@irfanyang7343]

You do great work, there's a lot of skill and knowledge involved. I like watching your videos so I've subscribed. Keep it up!

[@kablhamez5130]

i love those cut off jeans. Gotta get some good air flow to the "boys"

[@prospecting3826]

Great work and splendid workmanship good on ya.

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks

[@KikoTheLumberjack]

Excellent video. Thank you

[@bartbaringer7218]

WHAT a Craftsman !!!!

[@TheRjjrjjr]

I enjoyed every minute of this, thank you!

[@periolim345]

UMA OBRA DE ARTE! NA VERDADE QUANDO VI A INTRODUÇÃO DO PARAFUSO, ACHEI QUE IRIA TIRAR O OBJETIVO DO FAZER SEM SOLDAS OU EMENDA, MAS FOI SÓ PARA AJUSTAR A PEÇA, INTRODUZINDO O ARREBITE FICOU CLARO ISSO. MUITO LEGAL!

[@dougepple4388]

This makes me want to learn how to do this. Nice work bud!

[@pascalgrenon2955]

Super travail de forgeron bravo 👍👍👍

[@TomCraigCanvasHost]

Absolutely fantastic work. Excellent! Thank you for making th videos.

[@h3nnn4n]

Another awesome piece of work. Good job :)

[@tibimuresanu454]

Renan Silva mn

[@swords9023]

Very cool. I still have yet to make my own tongs. I need to get on that.

[@mariotoro460]

Very good work.

[@ironheadforge5382]

Couldn't help but subscribe... Very clean work.

[@ericseegers6038]

Such quality work you do! Great job man.

[@seanwalton6208]

Inspiring. I hope to reach that level.

[@munckmb]

Very good forging and camera work! Thank you!

[@torbjornahman]

+munckmb Thank you!

[@marty01957]

Thanks , Torbjörn Åhman! Very good video.

[@johnnyjaspe379]

Fantastic job... you are a master...

[@mechanikas123]

Thanks! Hello from Lithuania!

[@mikedalakis5292]

Great job. I learned a lot from your video. Thanks

[@diggingblacksmith]

Great work Torbjörn! Thanks for sharing

[@shane-3170]

Great craftsmanship

[@markrussell9719]

Beautiful job as always 👍

[@expatconn7242]

thats fantastic work torb....

[@maiorov.m]

Blacksmiths are kind of sorcerers !

[@girliedog]

Beautifully made , good job on the video.

[@torbjornahman]

+Virginia Hoffman Thank you!