PRO Tong making Tips! Take your tongs to the next level!

Well if I can find a cow to milk to death I will! Another Ruff and Ready where I put a load of crap in a video and pass it off as content. This video will be covering tong and how to make them like the instagram pro's. (not me) Doc Dan gives another diagnosis on some ways to help max out your tongs making them work better and do more.
I hope you enjoy.
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[@blkacid]

I love, with the sped up video, how you can easily see the reigns moving from the applied heat. It's hard to detect that in real time (for me). Thanks, great tips.

[@danielmoss2089]

Thanks and I'll bear that in mind.

[@RRINTHESHOP]

good rant. it is true about so many things. Nice tong making.

[@pablofederico1978]

I'm still using my only pair of tongs that I have, I made them, they suck, but it holds the piece, so a new pair of tongs would be a dream. About the nibs quote, I found this one: "Threre is nothing wrong with running a grinder over the end of your nibs"

[@richardhazell2601]

Always impressed by your instructional videos. I've not managed to make any tongs that are useful yet...but getting closer everytime. The most frustrating thing I encounter almost everytime I forge is not having the right tongs for the job. Having only got one decent set I use them for pretty much everything but they're not a good match for most things. Some great tips in your videos that I try and remember when forging. Cheers dude, keep those lessons coming. Fingers are crossed here in sunny Belper....those tongs will be mine, oh yes, they will be mine.....winking smiley.

[@OuroborosArmory]

I want a power hammer/press. Makes the big stock to small stock so much less daunting. his nibs?

[@paulorchard7960]

Ouroboros Armory You and me both Kaitlyn, after the equipment fairies have seen you please send them to see me!

[@ianrandall7667]

Grinding your nibs was the first that caught my attention. I must admit, I thought I was miss tranlating the English to English (UK to USA) nibs remarks. I will give your tips a try when I start my 14 days of blacksmithing next week!

[@davidbradley9272]

Its Awful when u mess up 'n Catch something (dirty Girl) 😂 but I suppose it can't be helped when its classed as a Blacksmiths Third Arm .. But I'd get it looked at if its a bit Lumpy . Great vid, keep it up 😉 have a good one.

[@aaronkokesch3593]

Love that you stay humble. As a craftsperson I think staying humble and wanting to always improve is the only way to start to master your craft.

[@serghood7790]

Здравствуйте Даниэль.А где Вы учились кузнечному мастерству?Или самоучка?

[@robertogrady1321]

All that innuendo went right over my head. I was too busy watching what you were doing. Another great video on the techniques that need to be practiced. 👍

[@davidbutler3661]

Hi Dan. What you say about making tongs being a good way to learn techniques is so true. After making 30+ pairs I find myself getting quicker and neater every time. I was taught to make them with a half inch gap between the reins behind the pivot so they hang up neatly on a rack, is there any reason you don't do this? Also I forge weld on round bar reins, seems easier than drawing them out. Using a charcoal forge Here in Oz.

[@Moondog-wc4vm]

I must be getting old and slow because I missed all the innuendos! Normally I see ones that are totally unintentional and think 'Fnaar Fnaar!' for every one. I know one thing 'though, I wouldn't like the nibs inmyendo, especially if they are hot!

[@timjackson5555]

Your tongs are progressing nicely. So glad you don't put a point that protrudes from the boss or the hinge area. The reins.. easy The hinge plate is where I need to focus attention, especially drifting the hole. The nib is simple for me until remembering direction pressing to boss. Using a press can wreck my stock quickly, getting better.

[@stevesyncox9893]

Don’t pull any punches man, much appreciated. Every bit.

[@jamesreyes4184]

I've never tried to grind my nibs. But if it works for you Dan :) LOVE THE VIDS

[@Axemead]

Put the nibs in the jaws! Great video and great advice for the tongs as well as blacksmithing in general!

[@whynot-ts9rf]

The more sanding, the more dirt, and when you trip your foot in that pile of dirt and it's everywhere, you're going to fall out of it 🥴😳 btw nice video👌👍

[@MrKamakazy01]

Thanks for this vid. I needed more pointers to refine tong making. Much appreciated!!

[@stuffbywoody5497]

Um, maybe I missed something, but I think you got a bit side tracked. I didn't see the finishing of the box jaw tongs.

[@gypsie]

Love your work mate I have learnt so much watching your videos. Keep up the steller work

[@Kristoferskogsberg]

It's very useful, I have also improved my tongs thanks to you, and I run a grinder over my nibs to😊

[@tomcarlson3244]

I would love anything with your touch mark on it. Don’t be afraid to make your nibs look neat with a grinder.

[@georgegriffiths2235]

Great video finally got the boss areas right still got the sample you gave me nibs are the next part to master scrolling tongs came out half decent pm me when you get a chance I have the hard facing electrodes for your anvil restoration 👍

[@hampusnilsson2185]

Good video Dan! This gave me a mind lesson, in my blacksmithing. Keep up!

[@83gt17]

Awesome content as usual. I'm afraid I'm short on nibs comments, but the video is appreciated anyhow! I also was unaware you have an etsy store. I'm heading over---

[@andrewmarkham952]

great video, lots great tips I just started blacksmithing and bladesmithing really want to get good at making tongs bit intimidating but great info I will give it a go

[@osvaldolozanoherrero-black1009]

Buen día Daniel, por favor podrías indicar el diámetro de la barra redonda que utilizas en este video? Muchas gracias.

[@carsemonkey1]

I think being on the other side of the pond caused me to miss the innuendos. There was one about them being a trick. Means something else over here. Lol

[@jjlforge3468]

Boss, I've been smithing for... Well quite a bit now... What you said about shorting yourself and just putting the work in to get better... Man that's exactly what I'm talking about all the time with the new folks in my guild and that I teach.... And a darn good reminder to me and everyone else who swings a hammer, either as a hobby or a profession. Thanks so much for all you do and have done for our community! Keep it up you inspire me.

[@traceymoss7550]

Great job Dan wouldn't like the thought of you not running a grinder over the end of your nibs its always good to be tidy x

[@williamdelong5563]

Thanks for the tip of grinding the nibs first. That help me a lot vids are great. Could really use a good pair of tongs to get me better starting out

[@SchysCraftCo.]

Mr moss keep up the great craftsmanship and work forge on my friend keep showing the world this beautiful craft

[@NeilGraham.I.M.F]

Great tips. Tongs r still a pain but there gettin better........... who doesn't like to trench it out with a little round bar

[@jjbailey01]

Call it the practice bin. You put your practice pieces in it to refer back to what not to do later.

[@thebgp13airgunenthusiast99]

Thanks Dan. Great vid. New to Blacksmithing and learning a lot on your channel. Have a good one, and looking forward to the next vid.

[@daveadams4128]

Excellent content as usual, your comments about sticking with something & getting better is very good advice, Its also refreshing your not constantly making bloody knives like lots of other blacksmiths on this platform ATB Dave

[@bladesoutnow]

Love your videos! I will have to grind my nib sometime!

[@kaz5071]

Always love your tong making videos!

[@picklesnoutpenobscott3165]

Great encouragement. It does take me alot of time to make things right now. Lots of propane burned for not much show. Woodturning proficiency took 2 years. Hammering? Sure. Grinding my nibs off? Sounds painful. I expect 2 years for basic skills as well for smithing

[@laparfitt]

I need some custom tweezers made

[@robinneufeld5435]

Thank you first of all for these valuable lessons. I appreciate your comments regarding continually improving. I had to chuckle at these quotes "It's important to understand flat bits need to have multiple scrabbing surfaces" and also " so that it gives me surface area reduction so you don't end up splaying those tongs right out" please keep up the great videos.

[@mtyson9004]

Always enjoy watching your work Dan! Thanks and God Bless you sir!

[@Lmr6973]

I'm just starting out and I must say I spend all my time on tong making and your channel is a great help. Thanks

[@HelenaOfDetroit]

They did arrive, and they're absolutely amazing! Thank you so very much. Best set of tongs in my shop atm

[@bentoombs]

Good video dude. Lots of great advice. That's what I was told when I started. Don't practice the project, practice the processes. 🔨On!!

[@bobemerson3999]

Thanks Dan really enjoy the content and appreciate the effort. “These are all going in the bin for one reason or another”

[@homemadebuilder113]

Grinding the nibs to match them is a good way to go

[@jonathanfowler7335]

I still haven't plucked up the courage to turn the blanks I bought from you into wolf jaw type tongs....don't want to screw them up! Lots of helpful info in this video...cheers Dan. "slide a little round bar up the middle"...nice!

[@danielmoss2089]

Hahah

[@ValhallaIronworks]

You know, in the Jewish belief, the last thing God made before resting on the 7th day was the first set of blacksmith's tongs, which he gave to man to allow him to make more tongs. Whoever wrote that though hadn't ever seen the no-tong method of tong making lol I don't know any jokes about nibs, so odd facts about tongs is all I've got haha

[@danielmoss2089]

Second time I've heard that story this week.

[@themanichobbyist5335]

I just acquired an anvil with boxes of tongs and anvil tools. Thank you for the informative fun videos!

[@agraywolflaska]

Grinding the nibs to match them is a good way to go great vid dan keep them coming

[@mckutzy]

I like these tong builds vids.. BUT Id like to really see a vid on a non traditional anvil with no sharp corners(say a large round bar of steel) and a non drawn out reins...All by hand.... All these vids help the man building a new set when he's got a sharp corner for an offset to start and or power hammer...

[@danielmoss2089]

You don't want much hehe interesting idea.

[@Larks01]

Great vid’ as usual Dan’ - really enjoyed the content of this one and especially your advice on building skills through getting the tongs right . I’ll remember to keep all my nibs pointing down.....(except for the ones that are pointing up)..... but either way I’ll be aiming for my nibs to be looking nice and sharp...

[@danielmoss2089]

Winner winner chick dinner! You won the Tongs dude can you email me so I can get you these Tongs.

[@billwoehl3051]

For a possible striker when you're alone, try a slide hammer with your fullers, swages, cutters and punches attached to the end? Just a thought.

[@danielmoss2089]

It's a full on though lol

[@louislarose6613]

Great Instruction !

[@garyfetrow8324]

FIRST!! Also, would love to see you set the reigns offset in the vise hot from the forge. No oxy/acetylene here. Not in the budget

[@danielmoss2089]

Can do its a pain but can do.

[@garyfetrow8324]

@@danielmoss2089 it's 2 pr bending forks, gloves, and some damn suffering that I can't get right. But I swear you've got a knack I can't figure out. It'd be much appreciated

[@garyfetrow8324]

@@danielmoss2089 never throw tong mistakes in the bin. You ALWAYS need a fast 'reset' pair for a dumb/complex problem. And damn, here in the US, mistakes in 4130/4140 x 5/8 costs a damn arm and a leg.

[@dracor2aetdma876]

Thanks so much for everything you do on the channel. I've grown so much as a blacksmith over the last year and it is in large part due to the things i have learned by watching your videos. Waiting for stock to come in to make the last few pairs of tongs i need to equip the shop, and always looking forward to more content!!!!

[@brettsayers7768]

I have found since i made a set of tongs my blacksmithing has improved, thanks Dan for the great series on tongs.

[@stamperknives9783]

I just forged a set of tongs over the weekend wish I would have seen you offset the nibs before I finished . Oh well. Love the tips . Keep up coming.

[@Phil_Cleaver]

The Blacksmiths prehensile groin.

[@Phil_Cleaver]

Innuendo but not about nibs...

[@putteslaintxtbks5166]

When fist talking nibs, thought you were just using another name for tongs, then perhaps the grooves for grip. Then when bending the nibs in, I figured it out. But I didn't catch anything but good info. So no tongs for me? Well, quest that means I'll have to use the good info for making my own.

[@coryofalltrades3568]

"Running grinder over the nibs" doesn't sound like something you should be doing on a regular basis... If your not careful you won't have a nib left, LOL. Thanks for the tips and the rant it really makes you think about getting the fundamental and practice in!!!

[@bsforge]

“Loom-peh!” 😜

[@paulorchard7960]

Nibs? Who is he?

[@ajwhittlebang6977]

First, stand, then learn to walk, then run. I make almost a new set of tools for almost every job. Hate the idea of insecure red hot going down my leg.after an industrial accident that buggered me for 20 years in another field TAKE NO CHANCES. A smith cannot have big enough skillset nor CORRECTLY made tools.....that is part of the fun. The shape of your Nibs is so important:)

[@Alanbataar]

You're not wrong to stress the importance of building foundational skills, and doubly so for learning how to make your own tools. IMHO, tool making is kind of a fountainhead - it's truly a meta-creation - not only are you creating a thing, you're creating a thing that is useful in making other things. To me, part of the appeal of blacksmithing is that you can, in theory, start with fire, steel and a rock and bootstrap your skills and tooling from humble beginnings all the way to masterful skills and products.

[@ronaldmcallister6091]

Love the work

[@starforged]

When making tongs I leave one rain straight with the tong and raise the other rain to the proper distance. When your hammering all day this keeps you from bending over. The straight tong and rain is level with the face of the anvil the other rain is above. Thank you very much for your great videos. Lernt lots.

[@oddwoodforge2305]

Video was good, tips were great and the rant was a kick in the nibs. Lol

[@danielmoss2089]

Thank you.

[@JasminBouchard-y2v]

Last pair of tongs I made (bolt tongs for 30 mm hex stock) took me about 30 hours. All hand hammering, using a charcoal forge and manual bellows. I learned a lot from them, and they are quite close to what I was envisioning. Next ones will probably take me half of that, because of what I learned. You need to put in the time to learn. Understand each step of what you are doing and how to move the material where you need it. It takes time, sure, but that is true of all skills.

[@patuxentvalleyforge1291]

Nice methods…however there is much easier and faster way to make box jaws. Simply draw out the bit longer, split, and bend over the ends to “wrap around” the work. If you refine the area enough you can end up with a very similar look to this without drawing the entire blank out of such large stock.

[@jjppres]

Grinding the nibs to line them up is such a simple little thing. Never thought of it. I have screwed up more tongs trying to pound them into alignment only to find them now unuseable. Love this series Dan. Keep them coming. Thanks for all you do.

[@bobvines00]

Dan, I wasn't trying to catch your innuendos about nibs, but I guess that there's "nothing wrong with running a grinder over the end of your nibs" might count? I learn a lot from your videos and hope to make some nice tongs!

[@michaeledwards5954]

Still coming back to these tutorials and my tongs are slowly getting better.

[@drason69]

You just need more smoked salt! All great work. You need more to inspire you. To many ideas, are never enough, as they put more in your arsenal. ⚒️⚒️😀♥️👍🍻

[@davosfirebeard4495]

I'm a beginner and so far I've made 9 pairs of tongs. They're all rubbish of course! But they hold hot stuff and let me hit it, good enough to get started with :) The failed tong blanks that went into the scrap bucket I like to practice reverting them back into thinner bar stock to make small items out of. It's good practice and waste not want not :p

[@douglasfathers4848]

Mate I'm confused to much content at once.

[@danielmoss2089]

Sorry its a ruff and read so a little messy. There our basic on video on my channel if you still need help.

[@RayFromTheHayclan]

I've been forging for a little over three years now. I purchased one pair of good German wolf jaw tongs to start with. I have 10 pairs of tongs that I have made. It takes a investment of time to get good at it for sure, as I have as many pairs that I scrapped. Any time I spend bashing metal is good time spent wether the piece is good or bad. (I had to learn to approach it that way).

[@MrKamakazy01]

Sharpening up your nibs with a grinder sounds painful......

[@angusnelson2042]

I never thought about grinding those channels in the nibs to get it started, genius! I just hammered them in and it sort of half worked lol great tong videos, thanks Dan!

[@danheffernan6395]

I see you as the real deal, my kin came to the states as blacksmiths from Ireland. I love the art as well, been working with iron for almost 50 yerras, and I’m just getting started.

[@halloweenchainsawsforgoo]

Hi Dan quick question could you use square stock and or angle for those tongs?

[@danielmoss2089]

Yeah square works. As for angle not sure.

[@halloweenchainsawsforgoo]

@@danielmoss2089 thanks Dan

[@markmoreno7295]

Tongs are where its at. Since you have a power hammer isolating the metal how you demoed works. But I was wondering if it is possible to achieve the same by upsetting the end of a bar?

[@baldwindigital]

Thanks for the schooling. The devil’s in the details, right? I would write more...but nibs wants me to run to the store...

[@damienday864]

Not for the faint hearted... "There's nothing wrong with running a grinder over the end of your nibs, just to get them tidy and looking sharp" not something one hears everyday :) Great video, keep up the good work Dan.

[@joshuabuchanan1442]

"I like to have the nibs pointing down so they touch" dan 2020 gravity's a b!t(#

[@markmoreno7295]

17:25 "All I have tried to do is to keep up this front nib ever so slightly." Borders on anvil boudoir spake.

[@323bigjohn]

Dan ,love the video. My nibs are getting a little long...got to go trim them up a bit.

[@stevesyncox9893]

Incredible man, great stuff!

[@kushtheduck384]

I dont recomend grinding your nibs...

[@amtamarind]

4:55 “Grab em in a vice, hold em nice and tight (good rhyme that) and adjust them (the reins) from the back...Just found your channel yesterday. Great stuff. Making my second pair of tongs, keep burning my nibs off cause I beat them too thin. Learnt a lot, 🙏.

[@danielmoss2089]

Thank you sir and best of luck with the Tongs. Send pictures!

[@marcogallazzi9049]

I just finished my first pair of tongs, they turned out awfull but i learned a lot in making them. It really is a great learning method, so no point in cutting corners. Next i need to make a horn for my anvil :) Thanks Daniel for your help and the good content of your videos!

[@expatconn7242]

I heard nothing what your asking ..

[@halloweenchainsawsforgoo]

I've not been in front of the forge not been too good had migranes for a bit due to the heat .

[@danielmoss2089]

Sorry to hear that dude. Hope you get better soon.

[@halloweenchainsawsforgoo]

@@danielmoss2089 I'm feeling better now so might get some vids recorded then put them out as and when .

[@danielmoss2089]

@@halloweenchainsawsforgoo look forward to seeing what you do.

[@halloweenchainsawsforgoo]

@@danielmoss2089 While I've been not 100% it's given me chance to get some ideas in my head. I'm guilty for not using tongs but I've been using long stock sorry.

[@faithbound3534]

Stop looking at my nibs...

[@halloweenchainsawsforgoo]

Adjust the nibs oh yeah. Psml

[@pauloantunes8826]

Hi Daniel! Can you plz teach how to do the finish? Do you use just the brush when is hot?

[@danielmoss2089]

Now that's a secret hehe

[@pauloantunes8826]

Well that's exactly where I struggle. Finally I can make decent tongs but they look rough in the end... I will try wire wheel them and then coat with oil while it's a bit hot.

[@danielmoss2089]

@@pauloantunes8826 that's basically what I do.

[@danielmoss2089]

@@pauloantunes8826 try hit them at a cherry red and if the oil or wax smokes to hot.

[@carlrockaway1696]

How much do you sell a set of tongs for?

[@danielmoss2089]

Check out the etsy.