I have been looking for a place to get some blacksmith's tongs and have not had much success.
So far all I have for holding my medal is a 4" pair of pliers and that means that 1. I can not get a good grip on the metal. 2. I can not hold on to them for long because they heat up so fast. 3. I get burnt a lot putting the metal in and taking the metal out of the forge. I tried Ebay, Amazon, and a few local places with no success so now I am asking yall if yall know a good place to get stuff like that.
I have also been trying to get a hold on some real coal.
So far I have been making my own charcoal from cedar and hickory, and mixing it with store-bought charcoal but 1. It takes extra time. 2. It does not last long. 3. It dose not get quite hot enough.
A friend told me a while back that true coal gets way hotter and that 1 pound of charcoal would last longer than 3 pounds of charcoal so I have been trying to get a hold of some and have come to a steel wall.
Any help would be great,
Thanks,
Jonathan. <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//smile.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' />
Jonathan Stanley
Apprentice Smith
Jonathan,
Try blacksmithdepot.com they have it all including coal & coke. Check out their online catologe. Got my tongs,hammers & anvil from them.
George
These are cheap , they take a bit of work to be useable , but its good practice <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//biggrin.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':D' />
http://kensiron.com/quick_tongs.html
9-11-01 , We Will Never Forget.
Work smarter NOT harder
I used pliers for a while but like you said they don't work real well. Too short and don't grip. You need a set that grips from the sides and holds the stock in channels. I would give making a pair a try. A bar of 1/4" by 1" by 36" costs $7-8 at home depot. There are several tutorials out there, the most recent that comes to mind is on Don Fogg's forum under Tools & Toolmaking. It was posted by Sam Salvati.
The ones you make will not be as nice as store bought (at least the first couple tries) but there is a big difference between $7 and $40, and if you take your time they should work fine. When they wear out or you find they are no longer adequate try again. It is good practice for your hammering skills. With the left over money you can buy some coal.
As for finding coal I would check with your local ABANA chapter.
Good luck and keep at it. -Justin
Thanks guys!! <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//smile.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' /> <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//smile.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' />
Jonathan Stanley
Apprentice Smith
Jonathan, on Ebay is a fellow who has a store called Poor Boy Blacksmith Tools. He is a blackmsith who makes and sells blacksmith tools. I've ordered from him several times and have never been disappointed.
Cheyenne Walker
Apprentice Smith
Found some tongs $25 to $35 depending on the style at Blacksmith Supply LLC. Cheapest ones I found. They also have some that you poy together yourself for under $10 plus shipping.
Forge on!!!
Thanks Mr. Russell <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//smile.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' />
Jonathan Stanley
Apprentice Smith
I'm pretty happy with these.. got both sizes. https://www.blacksmithsdepot.com/page.php?theLocation=/Resources/Product/Tongs_and_Pliers/OC_Blade_Tongs.xml/
