Forging a pair of box jaw tongs (farrier style) from rebar. (2020)

I am in the need of another pair of tongs, a pair of box jaw tongs for the high carbon bloomery steel billet, since this billet is a non-standard size.
The tongs are forged of 3/4" - 20 mm rebar.
I show the estimation of how much material I need for each half of the tongs and I then start to forge the pair of tongs till I have a pair that holds the bloomery steel billet well!
All forged with a hand hammer.
Email: [e-mail]
Insta; BlacksmithJoey

[@usermax56]

Hello Joe! I just wanted to let you know that you were an inspiration for me to get into blacksmithing during my childhood, I got absolutely fascinated with blacksmithing during my teenager years, and it was thanks to your videos that I was able to learn and get inspired even further to do it myself! I remember all the fun I had making my own tools, knives, and all sorts of cool stuff in my little workshop. I just wanted to say thank you, and I hope you are well! I hope I can revisit all the older content you had someday. I also remember posting a single video about a blacksmithing festival more than 12 years ago and you left a comment about the “In the Mood, by Glenn Miller” music that was playing, I also remember my channel being briefly featured on your recommended channels list. That made me extremely thrilled! Thank you for creating all the awesome stuff that you made and sharing it with all of us, and also for being such an inspiration to others! I hope you are well!

[@5x535]

Beautiful tongs Joey. Watching you move the rivet hole was exceptional. Very nice camera work too. The close up toward the end of you aligning the jaws and handles spoke many words. This is a very informative video. Thank you.

[@yerbagaucho1801]

Thanks Joey. This project is rich in technique. It is always a pleasure to watch your demonstrations.

[@brysonalden5414]

Another outstanding addition to the tutorial library! The first tongs I made were from rebar, and I still use them every day, so there's nothing wrong with using rebar!

[@stoneinthefield1]

It is just magical to me that an ugly piece of worthless rebar can turn into something so beautiful and useful. Amazing work! I am currently annealing a serbian cleaver and could have used those tongs because my 3/4 inch box jaws could not grab the handle.

[@adelheidsnel5171]

Super tutorial, beautiful style, great technique!

[@TonyUrryMakes]

I like the aesthetics of the “farrier” style. I haven’t been successful at my attempts to make tongs with “ears” but this video answered a few questions. So, I will attempt them once again. I also appreciated the discussion about using the oval punch. That made a lot of sense. Overall - a really nice looking pair of tongs from what many would dismiss as ‘junk’ steel.

[@SivaKumar-bx3fn]

Very nice. The design of jaw with angled top is really show your efficiency. Thank you.

[@dragonstonegemironworkscra4740]

Another lesson in steel artistry. Very nicely done sir. Pleasing to the eye as well 🙏 Blessed day Sir and well wishes Crawford out ⚒️🧙‍♂️

[@veteranironoutdoors8320]

Thank you for showing how to extend the length of a set down. That tip will definitely come in handy!

[@TalRohan]

I really have to start watching these with the sound on again but the auto subtitles are hilarious, I keep having to rewind a bit to see that it did say what I thought it did and then work out you actually said, some of our blacksmithing terms do not translate in a polite manner lol .... Very nice work as always Thanks Joey

[@richardbryant7972]

Wow I am so glad you decided to not quit blacksmithing and videos, every time I watch one of your videos I learn so much and who would have thought rebar of all things could look so good, brother you are a blessing to this craft. God bless hammer on.

[@gabrielnavarro8721]

They are beautiful, I love the way they show no sign of rebar pattern even though they are, rebar. That's what forged means, from head to toes ! Thank you for sharing this with us !

[@hammeredanvil7377]

It's a real pleasure to watch you forge..

[@andreyvolf6217]

Отличная работа, профессионально👍

[@TechnicusJoe]

Spasiba!

[@lencecchetto]

Joey I loved that the best video on box jaw tongs I've seen. And I picked up some good points, like when you wanted to lengthen one of the jaws, you explained how to turn it over and take some more material so you don't get a cold shut. Brilliant, and when you did the offset for the jaws you explained that so well, I have struggled with that. Thanks mate so very well done.

[@Munxcub]

"I hope you guys enjoyed that" Always Joey. :)

[@paradisefalls37]

Fantastic video! Craftsmanship is phenomenal! Well done Joey! Thank you sharing !

[@joancastellnousole5358]

Hola... soy principiante en la forja y me parece un trabajo muy difícil... genial un saludo!!

[@ugo7295]

Another blacksmith technician at work. Very well done, your attention to detail, finish, & explanation of what and how to accomplish certain issues are outstanding. Thank you for sharing, keep posting. Warm regards, best of luck in 2021.

[@nickd5943]

Yes I did enjoy this one. A lot of knowledge tid bits. Thank you.

[@douglasfathers4848]

Thanks Joey for sharing your secrets , how to move the rivet hole. I once had a mentor who said to me i mite have tort you everything you know but i never tort you everything i know. how right he was im 63 this week and still learning .cheers.

[@TheApalachian]

16:08 That is quite useful, cheers for that. I really enjoyed watching.

[@BCM1959]

Always enjoy watching you work and a very nice job on those.

[@Uncle_Matt_]

All these videos are like manna from heaven

[@cmoayves]

I buy tongs. I am never happy when I make them. After looking at this video I took my time and made two and I'm happy with them. Thanks.

[@noahnipperus7320]

11:07 that is absolutely beautiful, thank you for this video

[@JamesUnderwood-k6u]

Your the best I have ever seen Joey no one else even compares!

[@thereelfishermansforge5473]

Joey can I come to your forge for a week this winter and shadow you? I live down here in Italy and have been learning the craft on my own for the last few years. I still struggle on tongs and clean up hammering. I like how you do not use the power tools and I have learned a lot from watching. Just a note I can sweep a floor better than any 42 year old you have ever met...lol. cheers

[@Jim-Wade]

Nice work. Im just getting started with blacksmithing and look forward to the day I can come close to doing so well.

[@reinaldojosedacostanardao3512]

muito legal ver alguém com tanto talento e criatividade, uma joia de ferramenta parabéns

[@steveoutdoors9156]

Great work as usual. Interesting to see how you achieve a better finish of the steel by using a brush; not just for removing slag. Thanks

[@РинатИсламов-л6к]

смотрел и наслаждался!!! молодец

[@grandadz_forge]

Tong videos are at the top of my list

[@javierbritezayala963]

Excelente, siempre sorprendiendo con cada trabajo...... saludos desde Paraguay

[@philmenzies2477]

Absolutely loved this video. Professional work. Professional tutorial. Still way above my pay grade 😁 Love the typical Blacksmith shop accuracy @19:25 About there. Spends a few seconds getting the punch close. And voila! A perfect hole that couldn't have been more accurate if it was drilled. Yeah yeah I know, with one of those special oval drills...

[@Mesa877]

Starting a pair right now! Thanks for the awesome video to fallow! So many useful shots. I learn so much every time I watch one of your videos

[@dez_man]

very proficient work, especially how you made and explained the corrections you made around the eye regarding the opening size of the jaws. great, thanks for that!

[@thewirerabbit]

I can't wait to make my first set of tongs! You know I'm going to have to try a set of these.

[@ka2pbo]

Thanks Joey! I just combined the processes from 2 of your videos...I made your style of pickup tongs from 5/8 rebar. One thing is for certain; if you try to forge rebar in less than a bright yellow heat you will tire quickly! Tuff stuff!

[@nestorknoxs3795]

That is my most favorite style tong that I like to make for myself. Just bc they look nicer!! Well done, great work and you made them look easy to make! Thanks for sharing this video! Cheers!!!💪🏻👍🏻

[@randallsummers2008]

Enjoy the hammer work with the close ups! Good instructions as you work! I definitely will be watching your channel for new ideas! Broad River Forge.

[@khosrowsalehi2214]

Grande maestro It is beautiful to watch how u work Bravissimo

[@JustinTopp]

Fantastic work Joey they came out great

[@tokolosh11]

As usual a very interesting and skillful video Joey. Thanks mate!

[@virgilcook7785]

Always such a great display of skill in watching you work, keep up the great work!.

[@AWDJRforYouTube]

Excellent job on those Tongs Joey I used re-bar for all my "first time forgings" until I was good enough to forge on "store bought $" steels... re bar is quite usable.

[@rodneylangstroth4577]

Awesome tongs. I'm just learning to forge tongs, now, and this is just what I need 👍😎

[@oldworldforgejayvenable1578]

I love watching your work. Very informative and inspiring!

[@idahobob173]

Nice video! I've attended a demonstration of making Jay Sharp-style tongs before but your method seems a bit more straightforward. Thanks very much.

[@copiercer]

You are an excellent educator !!

[@davidthurston3346]

awfully nice work, watched you do things off the cuff that I've seen others so with more tools or a second person. You have excellent aim.

[@wolfparty4234]

I really like the way you put the facets on top of the holding tong! Beautiful set of tongs Sir!💪🏼🔥👍🏻

[@bernardhill1622]

Very nice..than you very much for the Video..❗🙇‍♂️ from " Out of Africa " 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇿🇦

[@cjp2551]

Awesome hammer control!

[@williamcunha9136]

Wow Joey, you make it a very difficult task look so easy. I currently finishing up a set of hammer eye tongs and it kick my behind. My goal is to make tongs as good as yours. Also, sorry Saltfork cancel the Oklahoma conference. I look forward meeting you. 😞 maybe next year.

[@randallsummers6551]

Nice tongs. Good video! Thanks.

[@LinusGustafsson]

Really nice video! Great work and footage, could see the workings of the metal very well 👏🙂

[@ritchie5273]

Beautiful tongs!

[@dalekidd420]

You make it look too bloody easy, Joe! ;-)

[@doug817th]

Beautiful work as usual! Great job Joe.

[@SchysCraftCo.]

Nice work there keep up the great work forge on

[@rami3433]

Beautiful tongs

[@fearlessferrousfire]

I just love your videos

[@lukelofgren4108]

Awesome tongs! And your anvil is my favorite style. Someday I hope to have one like that.

[@petepeterson4540]

I enjoyed it very much kind of scared to try it myself though lack of self confidence I guess.

[@bensutton6707]

Awesome work.

[@bc65925]

Indeed I did enjoy it.

[@TechnicusJoe]

Cheers, Bill!

[@AnyMotoUSA]

I believe the shoulders behind the bosses are used in combination with a lock ring to wedge the tongs in place and have a work holding capability

[@SamuelMcCunemusic]

loved the video Joey thanks for sharing!

[@WildBoreWoodWind]

Joey, I believe the 'farrier style' of tongs are called 'Champion Style' tongs - that is how I style most of my tongs.

[@Mch-kk9yn]

Such a master!

[@Leanderdw]

Nice one Joey!

[@krzysztofkocierba8537]

Fantastic job Joey! Your technique is brilliant. But tell me please what did you do with that crack through the rod in the boss area? This is clearly visible at 10:22 to 10:37 min. When you forge the boss area, it is gone...

[@brianfalls5894]

Love watching you make those tongs Joey. I do have one question though, what kind of anvil style is that there? I've never seen an anvil shaped like that. It looks huge!

[@demastust.2277]

I like how you have the first half just thrown on the floor at 14:23

[@zanderjeger]

Awsome job and beauty tool.👍

[@scottbryant2235]

Great work! I've always heard rebar is horrible material. You showed them! Wonder if it can be welded?

[@BoerGerrit01]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gni9oHWArb2anrM

[@vegoil]

Love your videos!

[@clinttanner4645]

Hey Joe i found out by chance that those "ears" on the farrier style keep a tong clip from sliding over the end when you release it by hanging the bit end down and squeezing the reins. Then by raising the bit end you can let the clip slide back down the reins to clamp again

[@stephenjohnson6841]

I just found this channel and I'm really interested/impressed by your hammer skills! It's sad that you aren't creating new content! Thanks for sharing though!

[@mrmyorky5634]

That's a seriously impressive pair of tongs Joey, but can I ask you how the hot riveting still allows the joint to pivot when hot riveting on any other type of plate work closes up tightly?

[@MateusMores]

We heat up the joint once or twice after riveting and when it's hot we carefully work the joint loose. The heating on it's own also reduces the tension on the rivet. When we have to heat the pair of tongs several times after it's been riveted, to correct alignment for example, the joint can become sloppy and will need a couple hammer blows on the rivet to tighten it back.

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Nicely done, enjoyed.

[@thanhthongnguyen1528]

I really hope you to repost all the tutorial videos that you deleted, because we should not care about negative comments from rude people and forget about those who really need your helpful knowledge to blacksmithing in particular and society in general. And moreover, one of the most important reasons is that people often don't sincerely share their knowledge as you did. Dear my friend!

[@h.schmid1965]

Nice Job!

[@Franciscocosta9861]

Amigo ,como você consegui girar a barra na mão sem soltar?

[@obh7762]

Hey Joey, do have any tips for working with anthracite coal? I don't have any bituminous or coke and I'm having trouble keeping it at a good heat.

Nice job =)

[@jackshadow325]

Excellent

[@shortfuse43]

Joey, your hand hammering is like watching a power hammer! It is amazing how much power you have even when switching hands! Beautiful work as usual...we could expect no less. BTW, was that a split developing along both edges of the boss, at about 10:30?

[@TechnicusJoe]

Thanks! That is a rib of the rebar and no split.

[@shortfuse43]

@@TechnicusJoe Oh, OK, good!

[@tobyjo57]

Great tongs Joe but why use re-bar ? is it stronger

[@TechnicusJoe]

It's a bit stronger than mild steel. Though the main reason is because many followers expressed they have tons of rebar they work with. Thus I decided to show what is possible with rebar.

[@tobyjo57]

@@TechnicusJoe Ok I understand Thanks for the lesson making these

[@patrickhance7211]

Je weet wat ik vind van je tangen . ziet er weer goed uit mkr ⚒️🔥⚒️

[@TechnicusJoe]

Bedankt, Pat!

[@brianbean7024]

That anvil is pretty special

[@garyevans8116]

Very interesting thank you

[@FredKustomGarage]

bien pratique ces pinces la 👍

[@Hood-serg]

Здравствуйте.А сколько времени уходит на изготовление таких клещей?

[@timw8707]

Great work!

[@mockupguy3577]

I am just starting, super rookie. Made couple of tongs from rebar to use myself as I don’t have any. They look ok but are too soft, the handles bend. Any suggestions?

[@barry7608]

Very impressed Joey thanks and great camera angles. If you have a chance to say what weight is that awesome anvil ?? 150, 200kg

[@TechnicusJoe]

Thanks! It is more than 175kg, less than 200kg There is a marking, 1.. and then a 8 or a 9, but not clear. so >175 ,but

[@manokj666]

Parabéns muito bom