Forging a pair of bolt tongs - A different method (2020)

Smiths can never have too many tongs! Here I show a variation to forging a pair of bolt tongs, using different tools than you usually see me use.
I will use a guillotine tool made by Angele Maschinebau, Link:
www.angele-sho...
I use a bending fork to shape the jaw of the tongs and I draw the reins out over the edge of the anvil in a different way that my usual approach.
Email: [e-mail]
Insta: BlacksmithJoey

[@aidanmcneill1999]

Joey, as a young beginner blacksmith, I can’t tell you how helpful and educational all of your videos have been. This one was especially useful to me. I love the way you do the close up shots, as it allows me to see where each hammer blow lands. Thank you so much.

[@shortfuse43]

Aidan, if you watch closely or pause on his rounding hammer blows, you can tell when he is using the round die face or the flat die face. Proper use of each die face can make the forging go more smoothly and faster. His hammer blows are like a power hammer!

[@DireWolfForge]

I’ve come back to this video many many time over the last few years. Love what ya do, brother! Thank you.

[@yerbagaucho1801]

You deserve every bit of praise, Joey. I suggest all beginner Smiths at the Vancouver Island blacksmith's assc. watch your stuff. It ain't rocket science but you do it so well 😘.

[@Usfwood]

One of the best at showing and explaining the smaller details of the forging process. Nice job..

[@richardbryant7972]

You are without a doubt one of the best smiths on KZbin, I enjoy your work and your teaching style. I usually can’t wait to see what’s next, thank you for another great video god bless

[@fishtheusa]

I watch every video you post. Sometimes for a specific project, sometimes just for the beauty. But every single time i walk away with more knowledge. You're the best!

[@Fire_And_Iron]

Your forging videos are the very best on the internet IMHO. I’m glad to see you back online!

[@ritchie5273]

I love seeing how every hammer strike moves the steel, thanks for the closeups Joey!

[@Drakijy]

Love the tong instructional videos that are found across KZbin, and this is one of the greats! The way the metal was moving with every blow of the hammer was hypnotic.

[@kennymiller4428]

Always a pleasure watching you forge

[@carlcoco2140]

Sir that was some of the best video of how the hammer moves metal I think I have seen! Thank you for doing this style of up close video.

[@brysonalden5414]

Another worthy addition to your outstanding video library, one which will be seen again and again, and not just by me.

[@Jim-Wade]

Love watching you work - gives me something to shoot for!

[@TEV0714]

You are a genius when it comes to making tongs. I was also impressed by your new approach to drawing out the reins.

No mirrored clips in this video! he changes several time his hammering hand... good job !

[@CarlosMartinez-lo1tm]

Me gusta como forjas tambien tus herramientas felicidades

[@bortgov8624]

He is the Ronnie o'Sullivan of blacksmithing.

[@Dr.Porkenheimer]

Thank you for uploading these videos. The way you forged out the reigns was awesome. I appreciate how you give us plenty of detail to try and replicate your work.

[@thunderbugcreative7778]

Wow incredible work! It makes me want to go try my hand at making a set of these. Thanks for sharing your skills!

[@shortfuse43]

Joey, neat way to make the bolt tongs. I like the twist and flatten method as a different approach. As always, your work excels! You have been an inspiration to so many smiths, young and old, novice and experienced.

[@DBacaMaker]

Such great instruction! I have to make tongs for larger stock and so far, this is the easiest method I've seen. Thank you.

[@HWPcville]

Great tongs and great videoing. You move more metal with a single heat that any other blacksmith I've watched. Also, you never seem to tire while hammering during that single heat. I can only wish I had that kind of stamina. Nicely done!

[@TheApalachian]

i watched joes videos for quite some time and enjoyed every one. i especially admire his hammertechnique. he seems to hit effortlessly and with precision, no powerhammer needed. I find it sad, he wouldn't make forging videos anymore.

[@ugo7295]

You are without a doubt an artist Mr. Steeg, the way you can move iron/steel is beyond description. Great video thank you very much for sharing your knowledge, ability, and talent with all of us to see. Very helpful for those who want to learn from one of the best on KZbin. Warmest Regards.

[@pukinpaja1974]

Nice to see you perfect hammering tecnique! Your skilss are awesome! Thanks to inspired Video! (Sorry my Finnish Rally English) 🎅🏻👍🏻🇫🇮🇫🇮🇫🇮

[@liamculbertson9323]

Ah man, I love watching your videos. You are a highly skilled smith, and the quality of your videos/your choice of angles make it easy to see exactly what you are doing with each hammer blow- keep it up!

[@TechnicusJoe]

Thanks Liam!

[@davidhopkinson9075]

First rate instructional video. This is going to be my weekend project. Thanks for the motivation Joey. All the best.

[@bunyanforgings7849]

Outstanding watching your technique. It is inspiring seeing what you can do with just a hammer. The rivetting, for instance, I've watched videos where rivet heading tools are used. Your's look like clean little buttons, and with just a hammer. It just shows, it's not the tool but the operator. Cheers!

[@opwards]

great job. saving this one to watch again. need to make a few of these. they look pretty sturdy

[@tobyjo57]

That's a great method Joey no one will ever know about the twist. I'm thinking I can start with any size of bar stock to make some lightweight versions of your great design. Thank you for all you teach us beginers here

[@shortfuse43]

If you make a set like this, be sure to do your twist at, say, yellow heat. Twisting too cool can form small cracks that will show up later. A little different than making twists on decorative rods and bar....just my experience from making the Dempsey twist type tongs.

[@SchysCraftCo.]

Joey great video love this interesting was to make tongs. Always love seeing different ways to make tools keep up the great craftsmanship and work forge on my friend keep showing the world this amazing craft

[@foodananda]

Thanks man. Amazing work. Good video. I will try doing this tonight.

[@CelticGod220]

I'm sure you already know. But just have to say. MAN! We love your videos!

[@stevesyncox9893]

That was great Joe, thanks, now I’ll watch again. Then make a set.

[@riAN1337]

thank you so much for these awesome "how to"s you really could make a series beginning from the simplest tong towards more elaborate designs. luv

[@davteunfeun3737]

Great video joey!! I'll try this build Saturday, out of rebar-"the best material in the world" ;) ... Thanks, keep up the good work! Take care

[@jmbstudio6873]

Are you still smithing? This pattern welded steel thing has my full attention at the moment. So cool to anticipate what pattern will come out next. Im not into the high layer patterns like what Royer, and others make. I prefer more organic looking patterns like Kamimura makes. Forge On!!!

[@tokolosh11]

Excellent tutorial as always Joey. Thanks for sharing.

[@luketallant3571]

Joe, sometimes I watch a video and think damnit why didn't I think of that... and you did it again! Great job, thanks!!

[@Alan-db7yh]

amazing hammer control

[@officinaferraria]

Great video, i really envy you a hammering/shaping material skills!

[@Jetmech1781]

I'm a fan of square/octagonal reigns. I feel like I get better grip that way, and it just feels good in my hand.

[@franciscole482]

Great attention to detail as always

[@jamesreyes4184]

Lovely work!!!!!! I made a pair after I watched the video :) I have to say yours look better lol love the videos man, keep hammering away. Using both hands to forge is very impressive 👏

[@Zogg1281]

Wow, your anvil collection is definitely growing, I remembered that huge anvil when you first got it when it was a baby and only half the size!! It also looks like your breading program is going well judging by the pile behind the huge anvil! 😋😂 I'd love to get myself a bigger anvil, but I've got so many other things on the go that I wouldn't be able to give it the time it deserves, mabey when I start finish my forge off I'll get something bigger then my 20kg anvil...... until then I'm happy to drool over other people's anvil's. More seriously, I really like that cunning twist of the jaw, at the beginning. It looks so much easier then other techniques I've seen. Keep up the good work 👍👍👍👍👍

[@TechnicusJoe]

They don't eat much, but they do seem to get heavier and heavier over time! Cheers, Glen!

[@Zogg1281]

@@TechnicusJoe mine is just getting lighter as it was a cheap anvil and turned out not to be hardened so it's had to be re dressed a few times. Still a great buy as I wasn't sure how much I'd be able to do and it could have ended up as a door stop LOL

[@КовкаБиробиджан]

Вы крутой кузнец только вас смотрю и учусь, спасибо за опыт которым делитесь👍👍👍

[@markmoreno7295]

That was a good one. Interesting that I have never noticed before, but lighting plays a major role in both forging and video. When I take hot metal it is glowing so much I can't really see my progress until it turns red. If I forge in the sun I can see everything but I do not know if it us time to reheat. In this video it was very easy to see the progress of each hammer blow. I also liked your method of drawing out the reigns. Do you have an online store?

[@TechnicusJoe]

Thanks! Lighting is important! Can't be too dark, nor too bright. I don't have an online store (yet).

[@AfricanSouthernCross]

FFS, damn accurate hammering, you are good mate !

[@GordBirchRO]

You're right, I did find that one part absolutely riveting

[@NeilGraham.I.M.F]

Great technique as always. They came out very nice

[@jide7765]

Great result!

[@RonGau]

riveting it is indeed :))) thanks for the great content Joey and stay safe, cheers from Montreal ✋😊🍁🙋‍♂️🖖

[@williamcunha9136]

Awesome Job Joey!

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Very nicley done, enjoyed. Thank you Joey.

[@leoloeffen8972]

Great job again 👌👍

[@thegebriel6039]

Great technik 🦾

[@MatthewTinker-au-pont-blanc]

Really interesting, please carry on! I'm really interested in all the variations on tong making! The othe night I dreamt about making Brian Brazeal type pickup tongs, must put it into practice!

[@2tana22]

Yes enjoyed it very much, thanks Joey

[@philmenzies2477]

As always, love your style of videos. The Dad jokes are a real plus. What type of bird is that in your shop?

[@TechnicusJoe]

Cheers, mate! What bird?

[@paulsalb1686]

Very informative! Thanks Joey.

[@ademdogan1]

J'adore voir le métal bouger, c'est magique. Tu es un Harry Potter de la forge.

[@TechnicusJoe]

Harry Potter, haha. Merci!

[@lencecchetto]

Very good Joey, followed your videos for years. Are you still blacksmithing???

[@mathiasrapp8904]

Hola joey, nice video as all of yours! One stupid question, is there a reason why you put the rivet so high up into the handle area? Thanks, always a pleasure to see you working. Saludos desde canarias

[@hannemannironworks1651]

Looks great as always!

[@serghood7790]

Великолепно получается!

[@henryscoggins4150]

Hey there. I was wondering if you could do a basic tutorial on doing a spring stage hot cut for your hardy hole

[@grandadz_forge]

Excellent tong video!

[@nickverbree]

I'm definitely going to try out the square center punch, seems like a good tip. Watching you work is always a pleasure, but now I have to go learn to forge left handed! How are we supposed to keep up with you?

[@0xDDB]

Do you remember what size you used for the rivet? Based on the size of the second drift it looks like around 13 or 11 mm but maybe I'm wrong and it's closer to 9 or 10.

[@FSAM2132]

Love the bending tool....so simple.🙄

[@salehikhosrow7762]

Very clever

[@Max289-g8v]

Can you use square Stock and upset the jaw

[@atelier_nilsson]

Nice!

[@ابراهيمشحاده-ث5ض]

جميل ..لمسات رائعه

[@lenblacksmith8559]

Joey how far back did you do the taper from the nib please??

[@9black9mark9]

So close… yet so far away. This is an absolutely wonderful instructional video with the exception of rivet placement. The location of the pivot makes no sense, it goes in the center of the wide place made by the upset square corner just behind the jaw. Why did you choose the odd location?

[@TechnicusJoe]

There are many styles of tongs, rivet placement is not a fixed location. Instead of saying it makes no sense, I would welcome you to try it out. Moving the rivet farther back makes the tongs more efficient in what it can grab with minimal pressure loss. For example a short jawed flat jaw tong requires the reins to be apart very far for the small Jaws to be open wide. Moving the rivet back on bolt tongs allows them to open farther without opening the reins as much. It allows you to grab more stock with the same tongs. Of it's not the all and be all of tongs, but it is a significant difference I would recommend you to try out.

[@9black9mark9]

@@TechnicusJoe thank you for your thoughtful response. I’ll keep my rivet in the wide area created by the square bend. There are a couple important geometries to consider, which is why industrial tongs have this jaw and bit shape. The first is that the end of the stock being held has a surface to rest against that is perpendicular to the centerline of the stock. This prevents the stock from prying the jaws apart when it’s driven back into the tong by the blows of the hammer. The second is that the reigns of the tongs should taper from the shoulder to the tips. This allows a ring to be driven onto the reigns to fix the tongs to the work. Tongs are nothing more than a cool handle for the hot workpiece and shouldn’t require thought or energy to keep that handle in place. The rivet being in the widest part of the stock in the shoulder makes for the strongest tongs and sets up these two important features, moving it back down the length of the reigns sets up a weakness that is likely to fail under the stress of the work.

[@TechnicusJoe]

@@9black9mark9 As is evident on my channel I have made and used both styles. This is not presented in an industrial set up. It is demonstrably wrong that this sets up the reins to be likely to break. Brian Brazeal as well as many other employ a similar set up. I don't mind if you don't believe me. Rather, I recommend you to try it out instead.

[@larrydeforrest5744]

Not A Wasted Blow Nice

[@tanfo8]

Exellent video

[@baddogforge5181]

I use a square pointed center punch myself it's so much easier to see in the 🔥

[@edwyrdkarn963]

Thank you.

[@zumbazumba1]

No drop - forging this time?

[@Cadwaladr]

Maybe one day I will forge a pair of tongs. So far the only things I've forged have been knives and screwdrivers and the like.

[@alfav6dax]

I reckon Joey was a steam hammer in a former life.

[@caotropheus]

Mr. van der Steeg, I am getting a bit concerned about you: Angle grinders; Stick welding; and now a guillotine tool?!?!?! What will be next, a flypress? where is the anvil/hammer purist blacksmith? thank you for the amazing videos.

[@TechnicusJoe]

Oh don't worry. I am not a real smith. Couldn't forge to save my life!

[@allnight4]

Why are you hitting against some block in the hardie hole, around the 17:10 mark? It's probably obvious that I'm a noob, but I can't think of a reason. I had expected you to hang the nib off the face and do the hammering against the face directly.

[@clarabisson7299]

It was to hammer on the jaw of the tong. The bit or nib wouldn't allow the tong to lay flat

[@allnight4]

@@clarabisson7299 ok, thanks. I thought it looked like it would have been able to lay close to flat, with the nib hanging off the edge.

[@nguyennhuttruongnguyen454]

Wow 🤩🤩🤩🤩

[@AllodialTitle]

Joey, how much is steel where you live? I would like to contribute to your costs if possible.

[@TechnicusJoe]

It's not too crazy expensive. If you would like to contribute, please send me an email at: Technicusjoe @ Gmail . com ! Thank you very much for your comment!

[@steveallen2681]

@@TechnicusJoe hope this gets to you , I m very new to this way of communicating, just watched your video on bolt tongs. I’ve been struggling to make some, just any kind. I bought a couple front centaur forge but they are all stamped out probably imports. I’m wondering if you sell to people like myself

[@TechnicusJoe]

@@steveallen2681 please contact me at TechnicusJoe @ Gmail . com Let me know what type of tongs, what size you'd like and I will give you a price including shipping to your country. Don't forget to add your location.

[@clarabisson7299]

Can you see the mark from the scribe hot? Regardless I'm going to make one.

[@TechnicusJoe]

Yes you can, in the lower heat range. Beyond orange, scale formation can quickly hide the line. At yellow heats you can scribe as well, but it will scale up rather quickly.

[@TheApalachian]

18:39 Nice coincidence.

[@patrickhance7211]

Knap ⚒️🔥⚒️👊

[@lugusdeleon]

Great video!! And there's always the one asshole to dislike something..

[@danieljohnson8087]

Riveting!

[@hannesmoser2732]

much better than alec steele

[@thinbluesmokers]

I need a couple of tongs and hammers, if you would be willing to forge'em for me. Sent you an email. Outstanding work. Regards from Serbia

[@Fruckert]

Are you ambidextrous?