I've probably said this before, but I really respect your focus on safety and above all eye protection. I already only have one decent eye, so it's not something I wanna gamble on.
I learned a lot from that, especially about the way you waited until after the tongs were assembled to shape the box portion to fit. Very nice, thank you!
Hahaha! That first 15 seconds of video sums up my first 3 years as a budding smith! Especially at the 5 second mark when you have to move your whole body QUICKLY out of the way of some high flying hot steel that is about to be “DROP FORGED” or burn you in unbelievable ways! Thanks for sharing the “outtakes”. I love your channel! Keep doing what ya do John!
Videography (is that a word?) is showing tons of improvement even though it's not needed. Loving the transitions and new angles! A lot easier to see what's going on now
@@BlackBearForge I've been on UA-cam since 2007 and been following tons of people since then. I only discovered your channel in the past 6 months and you quickly became a favorite. I am just starting out Blacksmithing . Been doing carpentry since high school for about 6 years or so and figured I'd try some smithing now. You're doing a huge service to the blacksmithing community by posting your knowledge to UA-cam and I thank you for that. Looking forward to purchasing one of your projects and merchandise in the future. Keep doing exactly what you're doing 👍 Except for the Off-topic channel do whatever the heck you want I watch that too 😉
Just finished a tire hammer workshop at Dragon Forge and am now the proud owner of a new 70lb tire hammer. Looking forward to more vids using the power hammer, especially the tooling. Thanks very much, sir.
@@BlackBearForge HaHa! A remarkable man, for sure. Great stamina for someone in his mid-80s; hung with the group the whole way. Patrolled all of the work stations; had advice for everyone. A great privilege to have met him. Not sure that he was any more worn out than I was at the end. :)
Making tongs has kicked my but. I want to get into making knives, but not owning proper tongs has set me off in that direction. It is a struggle, as I have made 3 pairs of rickety tongs and no knives yet.
I have not long been doing some forging this video helped me out alot will be watching alot more of your videos so thanks for taking the time out to do these videos
I really appreciate how much you emphasize safety. I made the mistake of using flat jaw tongs to hold the tang of a knife while drawing out the tip. After a few hits the blade shot out of the tongs and hit me in the mouth while still at an orange heat. It went nearly all the way through my top lip and loosened one of my teeth. The next day I made 2 new pairs of tongs, a pair of round jaw and a pair of bladesmithing tongs.
Hi John I just found your channel last month, and yes I have subscribed. I joined our local blacksmith guild about 5 years ago. I don't have my own shop yet, but working on it. 2 1/2 hrs a week isn't much time to hone my skills, but I need to add more tongs, gas pliers, flat jaw, and small horse shoe tongs don't hold well, I fumble more than I should. Box and bolt tongs, are going to be my on the list of projects soon. I will have to study your tong videos again. Thanks for your videos.
Gota love that thump hiss thump hiss. Power hammer in the right hands is such a work/ time saver. Thx 4 the box jaw lessons! Blessings to you Mr. John Crawford out 🧙♂️
Great and timely video! I am starting to challenge myself as a smith and I've shied away from tools, especially tongs. I don't know why. Anyway, I need a bigger set of box jaw tongs. This will be at the top of my to-do list. Thanks for this fine example!
John thanks as always for a great video. Glad you talk about the eye safety. I worked with a guy that lost his eye to bad judgment. Love the banjo music as well
Thanks John not many video's out there on box jaw tongs, and yes you surprised me alright, as I only asked you about this a day ago, thanks so much, I love the tongs. I have done two pair of box jaw tongs, but might make another pair for different stock.
This video is a great reminder that automation is never the end all to be all. You got the boss to the point that it was "okay", but some well placed blows by the hammer on the anvil brought the boss to the "just right" status. Great video, John.
I broke a tooth, and gave myself quite a large scar on my lip, from a railroad spike a few years back... since then, I won’t work stock unless I have a properly sized tong. It’s worth the time invested.
Thanks John the video was great BUT I loved the music it made me smile. I know it wasn't Benny Hill music but it reminded me of his music. Thanks for the happy memory. Great tongs bro Anthony Kent
John, nice video on the box tongs. A suggestion to make forming the "U" shape jaw...clamp in the vise hot as you showed, but instead of bending the part sticking up with a hammer, use a bar, say 3/8" x 1" with a flat end. Hold the bar horizontal and drive the protruding tab sideways in the vise. That way the bending force is spread out evenly across the protruding tab and the force on the vise is sideways, not downwards, preventing it slipping down in the vise jaws.
I myself hate to use flat bit tongs for the reason at the start of the video, to me they are useless. Wolf jaw, Box and Bolt jaw would be my favorite tongs to use. Thanks for the video.
Outstanding Information , love the Anvil work and the Power Hammer , now that is a Blessing ! I am guilty ,I don't have a pair of boxjaw tongs yet , I really miss miss not having them , Big time ! Thanks for the inspiration and knowledge ! Take Care and be safe !
Awesome work as always Mr. Switzer! I need to make me a set (or six) of those! This will really help when it comes time to do it. Keep up the great content!
You need to see the 4 legged post vice by Ponderosa Forge in Sisters Oregon. It holds pretty well. He has a video showing it briefly used to forge a pigtail.
John Now that the thrill of having an expensive " new" toy has presumably worn off some, and you have some serious experience with it, how about an in depth review of the Say Mak? Does it meet/ exceed your expectations? What you like, what you would change if you could. Is it as powerful as expected, yada yada.
Great video. Thanks for the tip on the stepped bottom tool for the power hammer. I'll make one of those for mine. Thought... if you needed to make a set for wider material, say 2 inch flat bar, would it be better to forge weld a piece on for the "box" side instead of having to start out with larger stock?
Dear John, at 21:00 you use a flat multi-slotted twisting tool. Did you make it? I tried looking back through your extensive catalogue of videos but couldn’t find one relating to its manufacture. If you did, could you please let me know its details so that I can have a look and try to make one for myself. PS: I have made one of the double-slotted long handled twisting tools you demonstrated and find it very handy. Thanks.
I think the aversion some have to safety glasses is that they only have an old dusty scratched up pair kicking around. Buy a nice fresh easy fitting pair of safety glasses and you will enjoy wearing them! I grew up using old scratched safety glasses because that was all there were around as a kid, but now I can afford to own fresh ones that let me see clearly.
That music is very reminiscent of the Benny Hill Show theme (American's probably won't understand that reference though, as it was a slightly risque British comedy show of the 70's/80's).
Been meaning to make a few pair of box jaws for a while now. Thanks for the inspiration to finally get it done. One question, where do you get your gloves?
What's your recommendation when I want to make tongs but neither have a powerhammer nor a striker? Drawing out reins by hand would probably kill me as well as consume all the forgetime I have on weekends. Should I forge the jaws from thicker stock and then forge weld on reins?
As you move up in hammer size. And with lots of practice, you are able to draw out reigns fairly quickly. I noticed that I got significantly quicker when I got up to 2 1/2 pounds and about ten sets of tongs into the journey. It takes me about a half hour to draw out 6 inches of 3/8 x 1 to a 16 long reign.
I would watch the videos linked in the top corner on this one, there are several options including forge welding. Also take a look at the Kens Custom Iron Quick Tongs ua-cam.com/video/9XunAoCMUbo/v-deo.html
Hi . Just starting out. I am in need of some tongs, I am wondering why you use square bar rather than rea bar. Rea bar being cheaper and alot of building sites have off cuts, is it the quality of the steel ? Cheers Andy Australia
I need to make a pair of box jaw tongs that have a 2.5" wide box jaw. What size material would you recommend? I'm working with 1/4"×2.5"× 8" material 5160. So it's rather heavy. I have a light set that tends to bend when I use it so I'd like to upgrade the thickness and rigidness of the tongs.
Hey bud just thinking. I have seen other creators listing in the end credits all there patron members maybe that can help keep people from clicking off to soon ....Paul.
ive only watched about 30 of your videos. i hate background music. I unsubbed. Im sad, Most of your content doesn't have music. Oh well so many videos to watch not going to support someone who goes out of their way to make their videos worse.
Sorry you feel that way. But the majority of viewers would seem to disagree. I polled the subscribers recently and only 10% were opposed to music, since adding music on a very limited basis my watch time and audience retention for those videos are increasing, dislikes are down, and there are significantly more positive comments on the changes than there are negative comments such as yours. So adding music seems to be in the best interest for the long term health of the channel, but it has also added to my enjoyment and satisfaction as a video creator. The intent isn't to chase off any viewers, but its also true that I can never make videos that will satisfy 100% of the potential viewers either. Do you also leave the theater or turn off your television when music is played?
@@BlackBearForge We talked about that.. It should be noted that you didn't ask a useful question. Also how did you poll, I have been watching for a year and didn't see the poll.
@@MichaelMantion The poll shows up in the Community tab, I generally get notifications when one of the channel posts to that tab, but you might have to have notifications turned on to see it, In any case 10% were opposed, 33% like music in the videos and 54% are OK with some music. Which is why you are unlikely to see one of my videos with more than one or two segments having music.
John did I mention how happy I am that you did this video, I am ecstatic.
I'm glad you're enjoying it
@@BlackBearForge I did
lol that intro makes me feel better, thought I was the only one play Neo from the Matrix while I forge occasionally
I am very grateful for all these videos!
I've probably said this before, but I really respect your focus on safety and above all eye protection. I already only have one decent eye, so it's not something I wanna gamble on.
Thanks for the comment, I'm glad someone is listening
I think you are reaching more people than you perhaps realise.
I use my boxjaws more than any other tong. I like to curve the upper jaw such that it will securely grip different thicknesses. Great video!
Thats a good sugestion
Fiddle, fuss, cuss, and discuss... LOL. Another great video Mr Switzer. ⚒
My wife just about rolled out of her chair laughing when John said that, I wasn't even aware she was watching from her computer desk beside me.
I enjoy how you explain your process.
Thanx Again John for your passing along some wisdom
I learned a lot from that, especially about the way you waited until after the tongs were assembled to shape the box portion to fit. Very nice, thank you!
Hahaha! That first 15 seconds of video sums up my first 3 years as a budding smith! Especially at the 5 second mark when you have to move your whole body QUICKLY out of the way of some high flying hot steel that is about to be “DROP FORGED” or burn you in unbelievable ways! Thanks for sharing the “outtakes”. I love your channel! Keep doing what ya do John!
Glad you enjoyed it!
I dont have a power hammer bur love seeing these machines run. It gives me goals to work to.
Glad you enjoyed it
Videography (is that a word?) is showing tons of improvement even though it's not needed. Loving the transitions and new angles! A lot easier to see what's going on now
Thank you for the comment. I am trying to make things smoother and easier to view. Of course I'm still learning and still have the occasional mistake.
@@BlackBearForge I've been on UA-cam since 2007 and been following tons of people since then. I only discovered your channel in the past 6 months and you quickly became a favorite. I am just starting out Blacksmithing . Been doing carpentry since high school for about 6 years or so and figured I'd try some smithing now. You're doing a huge service to the blacksmithing community by posting your knowledge to UA-cam and I thank you for that. Looking forward to purchasing one of your projects and merchandise in the future. Keep doing exactly what you're doing 👍 Except for the Off-topic channel do whatever the heck you want I watch that too 😉
I have been making different types of tongs from scratch and these will be my next ones. Great video
You make the best blacksmithing videos on UA-cam in my opinion. I love the content.
Awesome talent sir, it’s so refreshing to watch a true craftsmen. Thank you for taking your very valuable time to do yt vids
I just rewatched this, very clear instruction. Thanks again!
Just finished a tire hammer workshop at Dragon Forge and am now the proud owner of a new 70lb tire hammer. Looking forward to more vids using the power hammer, especially the tooling. Thanks very much, sir.
I hear you guys wore Clay out.
@@BlackBearForge HaHa! A remarkable man, for sure. Great stamina for someone in his mid-80s; hung with the group the whole way. Patrolled all of the work stations; had advice for everyone. A great privilege to have met him. Not sure that he was any more worn out than I was at the end. :)
Box jaws will be next after my flux spoon. Thanks again for a great video John👍
Great video John. Having grown tired of fumbling with improper tongs, 4 of the last 6 sets I have made have been various sized box jaws.
Making tongs has kicked my but. I want to get into making knives, but not owning proper tongs has set me off in that direction. It is a struggle, as I have made 3 pairs of rickety tongs and no knives yet.
I have not long been doing some forging this video helped me out alot will be watching alot more of your videos so thanks for taking the time out to do these videos
I really appreciate how much you emphasize safety.
I made the mistake of using flat jaw tongs to hold the tang of a knife while drawing out the tip. After a few hits the blade shot out of the tongs and hit me in the mouth while still at an orange heat. It went nearly all the way through my top lip and loosened one of my teeth. The next day I made 2 new pairs of tongs, a pair of round jaw and a pair of bladesmithing tongs.
Close call. Glad it wasn’t worse.
Hi John
I just found your channel last month, and yes I have subscribed. I joined our local blacksmith guild about 5 years ago. I don't have my own shop yet, but working on it. 2 1/2 hrs a week isn't much time to hone my skills, but I need to add more tongs, gas pliers, flat jaw, and small horse shoe tongs don't hold well, I fumble more than I should. Box and bolt tongs, are going to be my on the list of projects soon. I will have to study your tong videos again. Thanks for your videos.
Glad to hear you are enjoying the videos
Gota love that thump hiss thump hiss. Power hammer in the right hands is such a work/ time saver.
Thx 4 the box jaw lessons!
Blessings to you Mr. John
Crawford out 🧙♂️
Great and timely video! I am starting to challenge myself as a smith and I've shied away from tools, especially tongs. I don't know why. Anyway, I need a bigger set of box jaw tongs. This will be at the top of my to-do list. Thanks for this fine example!
Great vid. Thanks for posting this!
John thanks as always for a great video. Glad you talk about the eye safety. I worked with a guy that lost his eye to bad judgment. Love the banjo music as well
Dearly love to watch!
Thanks John not many video's out there on box jaw tongs, and yes you surprised me alright, as I only asked you about this a day ago, thanks so much, I love the tongs. I have done two pair of box jaw tongs, but might make another pair for different stock.
Awesome video John. Now out to the shop to hammer out a box jaw tongs for myself. Thanks
This is my next project going to try to make some for the same size material and this will help me tremendously thanks so much mr. Switzer.
You are welcome, I'm glad it helped
This video is a great reminder that automation is never the end all to be all. You got the boss to the point that it was "okay", but some well placed blows by the hammer on the anvil brought the boss to the "just right" status. Great video, John.
I have been getting Kens Custom Iron Tongs....since steel where I am at is about the same price.....Good Stuff......thx for steering me to them John!
They are a good option
I broke a tooth, and gave myself quite a large scar on my lip, from a railroad spike a few years back... since then, I won’t work stock unless I have a properly sized tong. It’s worth the time invested.
I love tools so this is candy for me
Love the 'drop forge' opening!
🐾🔥⚒
Thanks
Nicely done. Good looking tool.
Thanks John the video was great BUT I loved the music it made me smile. I know it wasn't Benny Hill music but it reminded me of his music. Thanks for the happy memory. Great tongs bro Anthony Kent
John, nice video on the box tongs.
A suggestion to make forming the "U" shape jaw...clamp in the vise hot as you showed, but instead of bending the part sticking up with a hammer, use a bar, say 3/8" x 1" with a flat end. Hold the bar horizontal and drive the protruding tab sideways in the vise. That way the bending force is spread out evenly across the protruding tab and the force on the vise is sideways, not downwards, preventing it slipping down in the vise jaws.
Thanks John for the video ,I have been needing to make a couple pair of box jaw tongs.
I myself hate to use flat bit tongs for the reason at the start of the video, to me they are useless. Wolf jaw, Box and Bolt jaw would be my favorite tongs to use. Thanks for the video.
Ive been wanting 2 try n make a pair of them. May do that 2day after my mushroom hunt
Read my mind about my next tool to make!
same here
Outstanding Information , love the Anvil work and the Power Hammer , now that is a Blessing ! I am guilty ,I don't have a pair of boxjaw tongs yet , I really miss miss not having them , Big time ! Thanks for the inspiration and knowledge !
Take Care and be safe !
They are some of the best tongs available for flat bar
@@BlackBearForge Thank you , Sir !
Awesome work as always Mr. Switzer! I need to make me a set (or six) of those! This will really help when it comes time to do it. Keep up the great content!
Very good video. Thank you for it.
I relate to that intro so much haha. Definitely making a pair. Loved the video as always
well done 👍🤝
Привет из России!🖐 Отличная работа⚒🔥👍
You need to see the 4 legged post vice by Ponderosa Forge in Sisters Oregon. It holds pretty well. He has a video showing it briefly used to forge a pigtail.
John
Now that the thrill of having an expensive " new" toy has presumably worn off some, and you have some serious experience with it, how about an in depth review of the Say Mak? Does it meet/ exceed your expectations? What you like, what you would change if you could. Is it as powerful as expected, yada yada.
Great idea. I will need to plan on ding that. Spoiler alert, I still love it
Great video. Thanks for the tip on the stepped bottom tool for the power hammer. I'll make one of those for mine. Thought... if you needed to make a set for wider material, say 2 inch flat bar, would it be better to forge weld a piece on for the "box" side instead of having to start out with larger stock?
I think adding extra material for the box is a good idea.
Dear John, at 21:00 you use a flat multi-slotted twisting tool. Did you make it? I tried looking back through your extensive catalogue of videos but couldn’t find one relating to its manufacture. If you did, could you please let me know its details so that I can have a look and try to make one for myself.
PS: I have made one of the double-slotted long handled twisting tools you demonstrated and find it very handy. Thanks.
Its one I bought many years ago. I don't recall where
You’re a brave man for doing that intro 😂
Knowing I was going to intentionally loose the grip meant it didn't take me by surprise, so I was very ready to move where I needed to.
Thanks for pointing
Sorry posting
Thx!!!
Another instance of “ugly till the last second”. It’s funny how so many things in the blacksmithing shop are like that.
Ugly? Yes, you're right, it is a common trait in much of blacksmithing
Kaytilin, you musta known i was watching...in 4 segements thru the day. Lol lol lol
Blessings M'lady in smithy,
Crawford out 🧙♂️
Let me clarify, the piece often looks wonky, and wrong till the last second and then it looks beautiful :)
@@OuroborosArmory lmbo, nice save. Lol lol. Your a hoot! So glad when i see you on the comments
I think the aversion some have to safety glasses is that they only have an old dusty scratched up pair kicking around. Buy a nice fresh easy fitting pair of safety glasses and you will enjoy wearing them! I grew up using old scratched safety glasses because that was all there were around as a kid, but now I can afford to own fresh ones that let me see clearly.
That music is very reminiscent of the Benny Hill Show theme (American's probably won't understand that reference though, as it was a slightly risque British comedy show of the 70's/80's).
Sadly enough benny of old is almost a childrens cartoon these days...almost...
True. I've avoided going back to look as I feel that would spoil the memory.
Benny Hill did appear on Public Television here in the US for many years. Great show.
@@BlackBearForge Well I'm quite amazed. While US shows are often broadcast overseas, you rarely here of the riciprical happening.
Been meaning to make a few pair of box jaws for a while now. Thanks for the inspiration to finally get it done. One question, where do you get your gloves?
I buy the hot mill gloves from Pieh Tool
What's your recommendation when I want to make tongs but neither have a powerhammer nor a striker? Drawing out reins by hand would probably kill me as well as consume all the forgetime I have on weekends. Should I forge the jaws from thicker stock and then forge weld on reins?
Yes that's how it used to be done.
As you move up in hammer size. And with lots of practice, you are able to draw out reigns fairly quickly. I noticed that I got significantly quicker when I got up to 2 1/2 pounds and about ten sets of tongs into the journey. It takes me about a half hour to draw out 6 inches of 3/8 x 1 to a 16 long reign.
I would watch the videos linked in the top corner on this one, there are several options including forge welding. Also take a look at the Kens Custom Iron Quick Tongs ua-cam.com/video/9XunAoCMUbo/v-deo.html
Nice video
🤘😃🤘
Hi . Just starting out. I am in need of some tongs, I am wondering why you use square bar rather than rea bar. Rea bar being cheaper and alot of building sites have off cuts, is it the quality of the steel ? Cheers Andy Australia
I need to make a pair of box jaw tongs that have a 2.5" wide box jaw. What size material would you recommend? I'm working with 1/4"×2.5"× 8" material 5160. So it's rather heavy. I have a light set that tends to bend when I use it so I'd like to upgrade the thickness and rigidness of the tongs.
awesome
FFCD
Fittle
Fuss
Cuss
and
Discuss
(His words not mine.)
My Grandfather was a blacksmith and he lost an eye when cutting a piece of hot steel that flipped up into his eye.
As practice use clay to try things out. Good or bad idea?
I think it is a very good idea
About how far in did u do the first set down and the tong for the box was it the same distance for first set down where you did that fuller. ??
about 1 1/2" if I remember corectly
@@BlackBearForge Ok thanks mate.
Are there single sided box jaw tongs?
I haven't seen any with a single side.
❤ the vids u make, but i find that ur grabbing the powerhammer more and more. while 95% of ur viewers dont got that lol
Oh yeah, I’ll use my power hammer ($4,000 bucks) (everybody has one of those) …
Woot box that jaw
That opening scenes happened to me
The metal flipped up and hit my crotch but I got lucky
Wear an apren
*posting
Hey bud just thinking. I have seen other creators listing in the end credits all there patron members maybe that can help keep people from clicking off to soon ....Paul.
Its an idea, but the big fall off in views tends to be right after the last hammer blow (figuratively speaking)
I hear you. Keep thinking something will work to keep them to the end ...paul
I need a power hammer.
They can be awfully handy
Don’t waste my time!
Park that song. There's better to choose from
ive only watched about 30 of your videos. i hate background music. I unsubbed. Im sad, Most of your content doesn't have music. Oh well so many videos to watch not going to support someone who goes out of their way to make their videos worse.
Sorry you feel that way. But the majority of viewers would seem to disagree. I polled the subscribers recently and only 10% were opposed to music, since adding music on a very limited basis my watch time and audience retention for those videos are increasing, dislikes are down, and there are significantly more positive comments on the changes than there are negative comments such as yours. So adding music seems to be in the best interest for the long term health of the channel, but it has also added to my enjoyment and satisfaction as a video creator. The intent isn't to chase off any viewers, but its also true that I can never make videos that will satisfy 100% of the potential viewers either.
Do you also leave the theater or turn off your television when music is played?
@@BlackBearForge We talked about that.. It should be noted that you didn't ask a useful question. Also how did you poll, I have been watching for a year and didn't see the poll.
@@MichaelMantion The poll shows up in the Community tab, I generally get notifications when one of the channel posts to that tab, but you might have to have notifications turned on to see it, In any case 10% were opposed, 33% like music in the videos and 54% are OK with some music. Which is why you are unlikely to see one of my videos with more than one or two segments having music.
@@BlackBearForge youtube is very selective on what notification and videos I get to see. Keep up the great videos sorry I won't see them.