Blacksmith tongs from Square bar with drawn out reins

Continuing our look into tong making we will take another approach to making basic flat jaw forging tongs from 5/8" square bar. We will approach these by drawing out the tong reins first so that these tongs can be made without tongs. The jaws are approached from a more traditional manner.

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[adeelkarlie]

Awesome indeed yes. Thank you so much for this video uncle John 😊👌

[jeffsandling]

John, being an older video not sure if you'll see this comment or not. I love revisiting these videos as I learn more with a better understanding. When I re-watch these something just clicks and I end up being able to solve certain issues with a better understanding of how my issue came into play and what to do to solve them. Thanks for what you do for all of us out here trying to learn. I've accumulated quite the collection of blacksmithing literature in the past two years...I've found quite a bit on tong making, but it seems to be a pretty hit and miss subject, that's hard to imagine with them being such an essential tool to this craft. Mostly a couple styles dropped into a complete "how-to book of getting started" in blacksmithing. I've yet to find one book solely dedicated to the seemingly endless art of "Tong Making". If you know of any, that info would be greatly appreciated. If not...I believe it would be a "Best Seller"...Hint, Hint! I made my first pair from one of your videos(turned out pretty "wonky" but functional) seeking to improve I was lucky enough to make my second pair under the hands on instruction of Mr. Bill Epps. A simple pair of flat bit tongs, completed in an hour with with his "Patient" guidance😰lol!...lost count of how many times I heard "Stop Talking and Hit It! THE HEATS NOT GOING TO WAIT ON YOU!!!" (Very valuable lesson I've come to learn!) and my 82yr old Dad taking pictures...an experience I'll have for the rest of my days that Nothing can take from me and blacksmithing created the opportunity for! At that point I just wanted to beat on some steel and see what I might could make...that nights hammer in, actually the first one I'd ever been to. Was nothing like I nervously expected...no criticism of lack of knowledge or not having this "name brand tool or that"...but real passion of craftsmen just willing to share their knowledge of the craft! Then I saw your video exploring the odd West African style tongs...I was Hooked and just had to find out more of different styles and techniques. What happened then was a little crazy, I found that somehow "An Entire World of Culture and Passion" managed to fit into a 12'X20' makeshift Smithy! Sorry for the drawn out comment but I guess this is kind of My "What the Blacksmithing Community Means To Me" so anyone reading this that's just getting started or thinking about it...GO FOR IT!...HAMMER ON! You might love it or you might not, but I will say you won't ever forget or regret that part of "Your Own Journey" Watch the videos that these handful of YouTubers tirelessly create and post, read some books, ask for help from others you find that do know or might know something to share with you(because they truly want to) and anytime you can, share what you've learned with the next! I can't speak for anyone else, but what I've experienced in my journey so far of learning this craft and figuring out what Blacksmithing is all about is a desire to learn, humbleness of where I fit into the successes and failures of those before me and their willingness to share both, a passion to recognize that and to do the same...that IS the Blacksmithing Community I found! John, I hope you don't mind me giving credit where's it's due here but also want to give credit to Mr. Roy Adams, Mr. Daniel Moss, Mr. Peter Ross(this list could go on forever)just to name a few modern Smith's that strive to share their knowledge...thank all of you! I came back to this particular video because I'm sitting on 4500' of 5/8" 1022 square stock that I was lucky enough to acquire and something just clicked about why you do what you do. Like I said, when I started forging a year and half ago I just wanted to whack on some steel and see if I could make something that someone might like that I could make money on. From your videos and encouragement I have found a passion for forging traditional tools and striving to learn as much as I can of how it was done to be able to pass on what I've learned to anyone wanting to learn one day so it can still be done. Can I make any money at this?...Maybe, maybe not...but it just hit me the last couple days of trying to figure that out, that what I really want...is to be able to be a viable part of the Blacksmithing Community as its been to me! I'm currently sitting on a tool collection of 127 various tools(when I counted yesterday). I bought a 3lb rounding hammer and a pair of v-bit tongs when I started and still forging on a piece of overhead crane rail and various pieces of discarded heavy equipment parts, maybe one day I'll cough up the cash for that "so called Real Anvil" but for now I'll credit you guys for the knowledge and drive to make whatever I need next...couldn't have done it without you! Decided to post this here because yours was the first channel that spawned that passion to learn as much as possible and continues to do so! Thank you Sir!!! Sorry for writing a book here but just wanted to share with you what you take the time to do does for real folks out here. BTW about to get started forging a 30 piece set of traditional Japanese copper smithing stakes I've been researching and sketching up for a few months now...thank you for opening up my mind! No way I could ever put a price on that!!!

[Joe_for_real]

I've been slowly working my way through all of John's videos so I am really late to the party here. But seriously, when john sped up the video while drawing out on the horn, am I the only one who thought "he is the power hammer".

[tannernewman]

One skill I’ve been blessed with is being naturally and fully ambidextrous. Whatever I do one way I can do the other just the same. It comes in handy for example if I’m hammering a bunch of nails in or something. The moment one arm begins to get tired I put the hammer in the other hand and continue that way. Even my guitar playing I play both left and right handed. Definitely a skill I’ll never give up.

In school I took welding and my teacher thought it was the neatest thing ever that I could lay down good clean beads either way. Wether it was Tig (when doing it left handed I even used my left foot on the pedal, my teacher challenged me to), mig or stick.

Been thinking about getting back into metal working as a hobby. Now that I have a detached garage I can easily turn into a shop I’m looking forward to doing it. I decided I’m going to do blacksmithing. It’s been 8 years since I’ve been out of school so I’m going to brush myself up on everything because it’s been a while. We’ll see how everything goes. I’m definitely going to my myself both sets of tongs. Probably be my first two projects when I get started. Maybe stamp a “L” and a “R” in them for which tong hand they’re for.

[tomsculpture]

You need ear protection or you will go deaf later from the ringing

[donstephenson]

From one old man to another (BTW I'm older than you), another great video! I especially appreciated the speed up on the draw out of the reins. PLZ keep 'em coming.

[Alanbataar]

I've made a few pairs of tongs now, and they're getting better, but they're still coming out sloppy in the joint.
Perhaps you could do a video on BAD tongs and how & where they went wrong, and how to troubleshoot the process.
Knowing what to do when everything goes right is good information, but knowing what to do when things go wrong is strong medicine.

[ALLENNEWLIN]

I wish I would have watched this before my 7th attempt at tongs, haha! Roll towards the tong hand for each set down, so easy to remember! I have one side forged and have since burnt a few reins in half. But I am hoping i will get there eventually. Thanks for the great vids as always!

[theblackravenforge]

Definitely love the teaching style, and I enjoy the projects you've done. I've actually upped my skills by watching you, and Chandler Dickinson. I look forward to your next video. Thank you for the great content!

[jaspermurphy]

Thank you sir for your time to teach and explaining and making it easier for beginner blacksmiths like myself to understand, thank you again..

[williamcunha]

Mr. John, your teaching and narration of the process is awesome. Thank you for the video!

[rodneyhendrickson]

Thanks for showing me how to make me some I'm new at this and this is going to be my first job that and the punches

[cailrobbins]

Used this video as a good reference for making my first couple set of good tongs... used 3/4" round though. Goodness, that drawing out was some real practice haha 👍🏻

[tonyloechte]

Love it i found some old shoehing gear works like a treat thanks for the great advise, you said it snow last night, wow ilive in Darwin nt Australia I wish it would snow here

[jma]

Great, thanks, i have an old framing square to sac for the size gauge

[paulorchard]

Why have I subscribed, this video is only one reason why! Its great instruction from a talented blacksmith who is easy to follow and just passing on his knowledge, thank you, I have learnt from you and will be a custodian of the skills you have shown me!

[Kaargl]

Your content is so helpful and encouraging, thank you and keep making videos!

[HisWayHomestead]

I think I like this method better than the twisted jaws one you showed prior. Thanks John!!! Love your videos!

[kevg]

John, the thumbnail for this video looks like you're driving a stake through the anvil's heart!! It doesn't seem too pleased about this.

[steelpennyforge]

I have made a couple pair of tongs at this point. I think it's time to do more!