Forging slotted jaw tongs - blacksmithing tools
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- Опубліковано 21 бер 2018
- I have received lots of questions about my slotted jaw tongs. The ones I have were made by Mike Boone. But today Lets look at forging a new pair of tongs with a punched slot.
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The following list provides just a few resources to help you find supplies and equipment for blacksmithing.
www.piehtoolco.com/
www.centaurforge.com/
www.blacksmithsdepot.com/
www.blacksmithbolt.com/
www.oldworldanvils.com/
www.nimbaanvils.com/
fontaninianvilandtool.com/
www.abana.org/
www.mcmaster.com
kensironstore.com/
Blacksmithing and related activities can be hazardous. These videos are not a substitute for competent professional instruction. Your safety is your sole responsibility. Always use appropriate safety equipment including eye and ear protection when working in the shop. Follow manufactures safety guidelines for the use of all equipment. In the event something shown in one of these videos seems unsafe, it is up to you to make the appropriate changes to protect yourself.
Some days are for working,
Some days are for learning
I feel like blacksmithing is a never ending “learning experience”
If I ever win the lottery, I'm immediately sending you the tuition I owe you.
Also, I have to say. I think the real value in your videos is displayed very well in this video. I really appreciate you not cutting out all of your mistakes. By allowing us to watch you struggle occasionally with something and eventually getting it figured out you're giving of an "experienced" type of education. I now know what common problems to expect with this, and some ways overcome them, because I got to see it happen. That is so much more valuable then a video that only shows perfect takes, and everything works out in harmony.
Now, when I make these, I'll think, "Even John the Great had some trouble here" and I'm have a renewed confidence to keep trying until it works.
I really, really appreciate your time and effort, Man. In fifty years, when guys my age are the senior smiths that people look to for answers I bet your name will be a frequent on the list of who inspired and taught us.
Wow, that is quite the compliment, thank you
@@BlackBearForge Widely deserved, IMHO. Keep it up just this way sir. And thank you!
Thank you for patiently sharing your experience.
I have wanted to give smithing a try and your videos have inspired me to do it (as a hobby)
I have my anvil, mounted on a solidly built stand.
I have a forge, set on a metal stand with a firebrick surface.
When I first fired the forge, I did heat up a piece of angle and flattened the end. Not a project, just to heat metal and change its shape.
From watching your videos I think my first project will be a hold fast.
My two issues are time (OTR truck driver) and age (64). But I'm forging ahead anyway.
Love your videos. You make things seem so easy, and you are a great instructor.
Thank you
Thanks for the video. A day that you're describing as a little bit klutzy and improvised would be a really good day in the shop for me!
I'm about to finish up my first pair of tongs using your advice, thanks so much for putting these videos together, even though they're tons of work, because you're a great teacher.
You are so welcome!
John, as always, I really enjoy your videos. They are very informative and as I am just now getting ready to get started with my own blacksmithing then I find these videos extremely helpful. Keep up the good work sir!
I like those john. Don't sweat the small stuff. Anyone who's ever done anything in the forge knows things are what they are. Can't always have a helper or the best tool for the job. I think you do a great job and are very practical in your approach. I'm going to go out to the shop and build a couple pair of those. Thanks Again.
John, A warts and all presentation when things don't go as smoothly as we would wish, isn't this the way things work in the shop sometimes. But, the end result was very good and a fine pair of tongs thanks I will turn a pair of Kens into slot jaw tongs now that I have seen the way and means.
Great presentation, thanks heaps
Regards
Stephen
Sometimes it's good to see how difficult projects can be.
Modest and honest is the Blacksmith. Might have to give in at some point, but never give up. I am French and we over here don't have people like you and others sharing their knowledge so openly. Thank you sir. And I'm going to make me a pair of those.
Thank you, I am glad you enjoyed it.
I've never used that style of tong, but I can see how useful they could be. I'm a huge fan of the v-bit bolt tong. As far as the klutz factor...we've all been there and most of us stay there! I'm a complete klutz. If I don't drop my work two or three times and if it doesn't fly off the anvil or drop out of the vise, I'm just not in the shop.
Thanks John, appreciate the instruction.
Very helpful, thanks John for the video and really quick response. Keep em coming! Thanks
I too was admiring those tongs on the last video. Good job
Yet another great instructional video. thanks "professor" John.
What a neat-o pair of tongs!
Very good video. Kind of shows the trials of one man video production. Came out great in the end. Thanks for keeping it real!
Completed a set of slot jaw tongs. They came out nice and do the job I intended them to. THANK YOU
That's a new one for me, I'll be trying this soon, Thanks!
Good to see the process, got some old hoof tongs to repurpose and may go this way, thanks John.
And this was the point in history when someone said, "I need to invent the Bridgeport mill." LOL That was one cantankerous slot. I think I would have given up, looked both ways, closed the garage door, and secretly gone to the mill! Learned a lot from this one, though. Thanks.
A mill would do a very nice job, but I don't own one
That was EXACTLY what I was thinking.... "where's that 1/4" endmill!"
my slot would have suspiciously turned out the same width as the disk on my angle grinder........
John, outstanding set of tongs. You adapt and overcome with a certain grace of style, likely born of experience. Thanks for your good work. Rgds. Peter
I'll have to try that out. Never had a pair of those.
I'm going to try do this with the tongs I'm making!!
AWESOME VID!!
Hey, thanks. John you are the best.
I wouldn't go that far, but thank you
Slotted tongs really make sense for a lot of different shaped stock. Going to try this tomorrow. Thanks for posting! Jerry
Great idea! Thank you! Huge greetings from Russia!)
Really cool project! I really want to try and make a pair of these. As soon as I get suitable stock, I'll give them a shot! Thanks again for your informative videos, you're a huge inspiration.
Amazing I’m going to try to do these right now thank you sir
Thanks John, I will be adding these to my list of things needed: scrolling fork, scrolling tongs, slotted tongs...it's an open list! LOL
Good video! I have never used slot jaw tongs but I am thinking I need to add a pair to my "to do"list
Clutsie? Nah that’s how workshop stuff goes sometimes. I’m learning heaps!
Love these videos!!!
Thank you!!
I appreciate that you showed the issues you encountered trying to get the slot done. I put together a pair of Ken's slot jaw blanks last summer and you very ably previewed the things I know I'll encounter if I ever decide to build a pair from scratch. Very helpful video, thanks.
Really enjoying your videos more and more every time I watch!! Sure appreciate the effort you are going through to produce this good content.
Thank you
John you could have maybe got that piece of flat in the jaws, got some vice grips or clamp then took it to the vice and clamp it in, don't know if that would work. Or have the jaws upside down so the flat stock can't fall out, that might work also.
Probably something like that would work. Thats one of the trouble with doing it for the camera, you feel like you have to get it done instead of putting it back in the fire while you think of a plan B
Good as usual
Thanks
You have more patience than I do.I could show you how to stick that chainsaw file in the wall. I sorry to see you think that it did not go well. I liked the video and thats the way most of my projects go.i was beginning to think I was the only one. Thank you for your time.
Thanks John,
Yesterday I watched your video and had noticed the tongs. Was wondering how you made them. Am of to the farm now to make a pair..
i've not seen a set in that pattern before, looks a better design than the knife making ones that are on my "one day" list!
Back at your tong video where you demo'd Ken's Custom tongs I was intrigued enough to visit their channel and saw the slot jaw tongs and realized how versatile they would be so I made a homemade pair. I screwed up my reins and forged the offsets backwards, so I almost gave up on them, but I eventually got the reins set to where they work well and they are very versatile for me, as I have very few tongs made so far. I can't justify buying much gear for blacksmithing, and so a pair of tongs that can hold lots of different stock securely is a great thing to have. I think I'm going to make another pair slightly larger (and without so many screw-ups as my first pair) and that will really improve my stock handling issues. So grateful for these practical vids.
They will get better with each pair you make
You were only slightly off , today ! But it was still very informative ! I took notes on every detail , so I am ready to jump on the soltaded tongs . Take Care
John, your video inspired me to make a set of slot jaw tongs. Finished them yesterday, and to my surprise they came out really well. Your video helped immensely, thanks for making it!
I have a horrible time making straight slot punch holes, (and didn't have a large enough slot punch) so I digressed and made a series of 1/4" holes in a straight line, cutting the webs between the holes and filing the slot clean. That worked ok, but lots of filing!
Some times tedious but accurate is way better than fast, but "I wish I had done it better"
I got both the rapid and quick tong sets from Ken's custom Ironworks. I use the slot jaw tongs alot they are great. As always like your videos. I would be your helper anytime just need a plane ticket.......lol.
Thanks for the offer, but I suspect I will manage for a while longer 😉
Ever tried measuring the slot, drilling a hole at each end, and then using a cold chisel to cut it out? I haven;t tried myself, but I think that is what I'm going to attempt when I go to make a set of these. Only better way I can think of is an end mill. :-)
I actually got 2 sets of tongs on your table both I bought from another blacksmith but it is the Cusible tongs you had between you long handle blank and the set of quick tongs
Thanks John. Great video as always. I've learned so much from your videos and really do appreciate you taking the time to make them. But I have to say it, banjo? Surely it's coming soon.
Yes, I will plan to get the banjo back to the shop.
Glad to hear it's healing well. My wife is an R.N. (I'm not) but she says that's normal with that condition.. it's been several months now so your almost healed. Better safe than sorry as they say. Oh, and my wife says to make sure you tell your vitamins.
Well I’m now going to my forge to make some
Another great video John, thank you. It is very helpful to listen to you explain the hows and whys of how you come to do the things that we watch you do---including the things that don't work out just like you wanted them to. Like your decision to "adjust" these tongs up to handle 3/8s because you thought that they were overkill for 1/4. Would you tell us why you chose to punch the slot instead of slitting and then drifting? What would the pros and cons be? Would that work just as well? Thanks
I may do a part two and make the adjustments for larger stock. In general a punched hole should be cleaner and less trouble than this one was. Where as a chiseled slit is more likely to be ragged.
I'm having some folks in next week to make tongs, --- so I'm reviewing several of your tong videos! I think I may actually have made a little progress!
Have fun
Thanks for the video! It would be great to see you make tongs on the power hammer. It could be a time lapse speed up video with you playing the music in the background. 😀🎼🎶 Anthony Kent
I do plan to do a set under the hammer at some point. Perhaps some box jaw tongs
Hi John, see the finger is still wrapped. How is the finger doing? Also I hope you have a torque setting in your drill. I've hurt my wrist a few times when it binds drilling metal. This is my first time seeing slotted tongs. Wonderful idea, now I have to make 2 pair. One for myself and one for my 27 yr old son who is also a Smith. Love watching you work, feels like I'm there with you. If I lived closer I'd come help you out for the joy of smithing. Joe
The finger is doing very well. The wrap is a compression wrap to reduce swelling. Since the lymph ducts were damaged it is pron to swelling. May be a year before it goes away completely.
I actually like filing... even though i have dremels and grinders and drills.. Something to be said for good hand tools and elbow grease.
Files can get in where other tools can't and are surprisingly effective
I wish I was your neighbor I'd certainly give you a hand while I learnt how to Blacksmith.
Would you say that slot jaw tongs are the most versatile?
John, is the slot meant to be the final size of the bar you want to work or is there an optimum size of slot? Clearance? Thanks for the videos.
A bit over sized is ideal. I have a set thats probably 3/8" and they work great for 5/16 & 1/4 material
John, one of the items I learned way back in my production classes was that when it comes to demo videos, little things will always go wrong and you will always think that there is something that could have/should have gone better. But in the end, if you have enough footage and clear shots then everything is fine...you can fix many things in the edits.
As for the vise, wouldn't a fold down or movable support bracket/stand to hold the longer stock help?
I'm thinking something along the lines of what my mechanic uses...the bar part of a muffler clamp. welded to a piece of round bar (or pipe) that fits in a larger diameter pipe that has a tapped hole drilled in it for a set screw, with the outer pipe welded to an old steel rim. Or even a woodworking roller stand. Just something simple.
Thanks. Support stands come in very handy. But I'm not sure if would have helped in the case since I was trying to keep the tongs upright instead of horizontal. You can see the stands I use here ua-cam.com/video/qOkO0cYW9i0/v-deo.html
I was thinking something to specifically hold the flat bar until you could get the tongs positioned and clamped.
The stands you use are similar, but with a 'flat' support...a grooved/slotted/curved 'holder' can be very useful too.
Do you do any kind of rust proofing or surface coating by dipping warm parts in boiled linseed oil?
I usually apply some wax while they are hot. It helps protect from rust and makes them run smooth.
John would there be any benefit in punching the slot after forging the jaw but before forging the bolster?
I think the slot would be deformed while working the adjacent areas.
What about box jaw? How do they differ in style and functionality?
sounds like another video. For wide stock the box jaw would be better, but they won't hold the round or square bar.
You could have put a piece of flat bar in between it before you punch the hole it would have saved you a lot of work
Can I ask a question. I've been following you for quite sometime. I've noticed??? Do u turn your forge off (gas) and or do you pre heat it so you can relight it????
I only turn it off to improve the audio for the videos. I don't do that during a normal work day once it is up to heat it relights right away during normal workflow.
Can't go smooth all the time.
Mama said there will be days like these
Can you show us how to make a bolster plate say for this job you have just done.
I will try to get a video on the subject
What are the tongs called that you’ve used to hold your touchmark? Box jaws? They can be used to grip something perpendicular to the tong jaws as well with that notch in them
They are essentially a pair of bolt tongs or what most people call V bit tongs these days. Yes the notch allows for material to be held in both directions. I will try to do a video on making them.
Black Bear Forge that would be great thank you
As Salam Alaikum 'cheers me dears'👍😎
Don't worry about it I thought it was a great video
John, question for you. I know that historically smiths made their own files but I’m not sure exactly how that is done so I’m wondering would it be viable to make your own files if you needed an oddball shape or is it just better in the long run to buy commercially built files?
I'm not sure if that is true or not. I certainly have no details. However, Peter Ross who was the master blacksmith for the Anderson forge in Colonial Williamsburg has commented that the smiths in that shop could not make files and they had to be imported from England.
Well I suppose that answers my question about making vs buying since they are apparently rather difficult to make and I didn’t know they were an imported item back in colonial times. My knowledge on my comment on historically made files is more based on my limited knowledge and interest in early gun smithing in the 1600’s where I know that they generally had to make their own set of tools including files as part of their apprenticeship. I know that to become a journeyman an apprentice had to basically build all the tools they would need in that trade prior to being allowed to work as a journeyman... what I don’t know is how that was done.
Thanks for your answer and again thank you for all the wonderful videos
I know this question is old, and my reply doesn't pertain to the period you asked about, but Clickspring has made files 'the antiquity way': ua-cam.com/video/SOw9WqMOHjA/v-deo.html. Fascinating stuff.
i have alot of problems making tongs i dont know what im doing wrong
what wax ur using against rust?
I have been using Johnsons Paste wax, but its now out of production. You can use Beeswax or a mix or beeswax, linseed oil and mineral spirits in equal parts.
@@BlackBearForge
Donno if this is availeble in the usa
Owachem Rustol Owatrol Oil
Thats whats used in the netherlands.
Gone try ur home brew recipi tho.
Love ur work that u bring on here 🍺😎👍
It seems like it would be much easier to bend the jaws then cut and clean the slit with an angle grinder then bend back to the right shape, but that would kind of be cheating. Thanks for the video.
That is n interesting idea. They would still need more filing but it would get a bunch of the extra material out of the way.
Couldn't you just use a hot cut to cut a slit and open it up
You could, but in general I find a punched slot has cleaner edges than a chiseled slot. Although this project sure didn't prove that theory.
Black Bear Forge ok thank you
Gee, the more I watch your vids the more I become aware of the awkwardness you show"for the camera"....workflow is terribly compromised yet you still make sense of it all and look great thoroughly skilled doing it. You give me great satisfaction with your natural and logically sequenced descriptions..AND you get to the point without repeating annoyingly AND describe / explain incredibly effectively. As a retired domonstrater of practicum I get it.