Really miss this gent's content - lightly comical commentary, exquisite teaching, flawless camera work...was my favorite blacksmithing channel for a good while.
I don't know if it is just on my computer, but the commentary clips in and out throughout. I love to learn and not miss a bit of information. Subscribed and going to the other videos.
"More bent than a banker after a bonus..." Almost made me blow coffee out my nose! Love your straight-forward instructional style, and hope to put it all to use soon. I've inherited a partial black smithing kit from my fathers estate, that has been in the family for 5 or 6 generations, and am in the process of restoring, rebuilding, and retooling. I hope to have the forge up and running this autumn.
+somanayr Thank you very much! I try and detail every stage and why I do the things the way I do and what would happen if I didn't. Good luck with your tongs and do feel free to ask if you run into trouble!
I just made up a set to hold 3/4" square stock using your technique Rowan and although mine did not turn out anywhere near as neat and nice as yours, they did turn out fully functional. I used 1" x 1/4" for the working end and 1/2" round stock for the reins. I suck at forge welding so I tacked the reins on to the larger stock with a half assed scarf on each piece, then forge welded them together. It seems to have worked fine. Splitting the bits is pretty tricky and I screwed that up badly but recovered by adding some weld to the thin part on the outside to beef it up. This also worked fine. I have a limited skill set when it comes to blacksmithing but mad skills when it comes to fixing my screw ups. I think the best thing about this technique is that unlike some other methods, it leaves plenty of material right behind the boss, making for a very strong set of tongs. Thanks for the video. I have subscribed and watched about half of what you have posted, so far. I'll get through the rest pretty soon.
Thanks for all you have done I love watching your videos I’m learning and want to make more tools would love it I you could give more videos on making tools
Thanks for the video. This is one of the best tong videos i have seen yet. what you made there looks like it will stand the test of time as well as function quite well. Thank you.
I just did my first "Rowan Taylor" style pair of tongs, after a full year of dreams about it. The curves are just so satisfying... Thank you for inspiring me to try this
Thanks for taking the time to make the video and for the wonderful commentary with no back ground noise. I am hard of hearing and I can hear you very well. Maybe some of the other great smiths will take note.
Fair play that was one of the most satisfying videos I've ever watched! The time, effort and artistry that goes into a pair of tongs! Is insane, kind of feel bad bitching about spending more than a tenner on kitchen tongs if they were made like this lol stunning work, simply stunning.
+Aartwood Thanks mate :D the sound is a bit shoddy this week - I think I was a bit close to the camera for the voiceover. I could have had the tongs done inside of 90 minutes if I hadn't been filming, but it helps that I've been at it a while! You'll be able to make your own crucible tongs for your smelting, now! :D
+Nick O thanks :) I don't make them very often and I like them big and chunky as you can see :) - I don't like them deforming when in use or flexing overly. I have some "viking" tongs which I made ages ago and they are brilliant for anything from sheet work to square bar.
Working the hinge plates could be a great idea for world peace: Get us hot, and rub us together until we learn to live in harmony! Excellent video! Jerry
Shows angles and views of tech not shown elsewhere. I have seen similar tongs made using the cut-apart method. Some smiths also fully form the jaws first then forge weld the reigns. I guess it depends on what you have more confidence in. I still lack confidence with forge welding so I would rather make tongs as shown in this video. I am also still weak cutting long blanks apart so forge welding round reigns is good for me. To each his own.
Very nicely done. One of the best videos I've seen on tong making. Just a question though: is that a traditional stone trough you're using as a slake tub?
+E.R. Long cheers mate :) Yes, the quench tank/slack tub/front bosh (depending on where you are in the world) is a traditional stone trough - the forge I'm leasing was built in 1805 and the trough is original to when it was built!
Excellent video. I have been an amateur blacksmith for about five years, mostly self taught, with occasional advice and help from some professional smiths. I need to male some farrier tongs and keep the distance from the hinge plate to the bits as short as possible. I am afraid I will have some trouble aligning the bits because of the short distance from hinge plate to the bits. I would appreciate any suggestions you could make..
+Rb Duffer If you make them in the style of flat bit tong then the bit should start where the hinge-plate ends. You can also upset the bits back a little towards the hinge plate if need be. This is quite hard to describe, lol but I hope it makes sense! The best way for both halves to align is to make them identical - sounds obvious but bear with me. Use batch-production techniques to make the two halves, i.e. produce the nibs of both halves first, then the hinge-plates, then the reins and you will find it easier for both halves to be produced identically.
Great video I like this as a another way compared to others on how to do this particular tongs but your audio sucks it crackles in and out really bad and the volume gets loud then quiet and bleeps without audio
sir. how would I go about purchasing these style tongs off you? I am an amateur (at best) blacksmith and have zero experience forge welding but I love the way these tongs function and look, plus I would like to support your habit also. so please let me know
hey rowan fantastic video! could we discuss me trying to purchase a pair of these off of you? they are great! I am nowhere near your skill level but am eagerly trying to learn/self teach myself. but I need a good pair for now untill I can get better and these would be perfect. pls let me know
Hello there, nice work but why working on the jaws after rivetting? It's much easier to do them before rivetting. Kind regards from Filip Ponseele blacksmith-Belgium
Really miss this gent's content - lightly comical commentary, exquisite teaching, flawless camera work...was my favorite blacksmithing channel for a good while.
I only found him after he'd stopped uploading but I regularly just comfort watch his videos
I don't know if it is just on my computer, but the commentary clips in and out throughout. I love to learn and not miss a bit of information. Subscribed and going to the other videos.
pulsating audio makes it unable to listen to an otherwise great video.
"More bent than a banker after a bonus..." Almost made me blow coffee out my nose! Love your straight-forward instructional style, and hope to put it all to use soon. I've inherited a partial black smithing kit from my fathers estate, that has been in the family for 5 or 6 generations, and am in the process of restoring, rebuilding, and retooling. I hope to have the forge up and running this autumn.
Great talent and a great sense of humor. Thanks for sharing.
You probably hear this alot, but, you are an amazing Smithy. I feel very fortunate to have found your channel. Thank you for helping us new guys.
These are fantastic videos! I'm currently struggling through making my first pair of usable tongs, and this video is immensely helpful! Thank you.
+somanayr Thank you very much! I try and detail every stage and why I do the things the way I do and what would happen if I didn't. Good luck with your tongs and do feel free to ask if you run into trouble!
I am watching this for the second time, after a few months, just for the wit . Thanks Rowan!
I just made up a set to hold 3/4" square stock using your technique Rowan and although mine did not turn out anywhere near as neat and nice as yours, they did turn out fully functional. I used 1" x 1/4" for the working end and 1/2" round stock for the reins. I suck at forge welding so I tacked the reins on to the larger stock with a half assed scarf on each piece, then forge welded them together. It seems to have worked fine. Splitting the bits is pretty tricky and I screwed that up badly but recovered by adding some weld to the thin part on the outside to beef it up. This also worked fine. I have a limited skill set when it comes to blacksmithing but mad skills when it comes to fixing my screw ups.
I think the best thing about this technique is that unlike some other methods, it leaves plenty of material right behind the boss, making for a very strong set of tongs. Thanks for the video. I have subscribed and watched about half of what you have posted, so far. I'll get through the rest pretty soon.
Thanks for all you have done I love watching your videos I’m learning and want to make more tools would love it I you could give more videos on making tools
you made a super educative video. Not to short or to long, with good explanations. Again, super.. Bravo...
+paranoy69 Thanks mate :) Working on doing more vids but having time issues at the moment!
+RowanTaylor hope will see another soon...
Thanks for the video. This is one of the best tong videos i have seen yet. what you made there looks like it will stand the test of time as well as function quite well. Thank you.
I just did my first "Rowan Taylor" style pair of tongs, after a full year of dreams about it. The curves are just so satisfying... Thank you for inspiring me to try this
Amazing Video, great commentary clear explanation. and fantastic camera work. Bravo. I love learning and you sir have a gift for teaching.
+patrick jaroch thanks mate :)
Beautiful tongs and loved the video. The welding was so good, thanks so much.
Love this technique Rowan, especially the offset for for reigns at the boss, top Idea. Thanks for sharing this marvelous instructional video.
Unique and beautiful set of tongs; utilitarian speaking.
Love your content. I miss the videos, and I hope you're doing well with whatever you're doing.
brilliant videos :) nice and clear for the novice like myself!
Thanks for your work! :)
Thanks for taking the time to make the video and for the wonderful commentary with no back ground noise. I am hard of hearing and I can hear you very well. Maybe some of the other great smiths will take note.
Fair play that was one of the most satisfying videos I've ever watched! The time, effort and artistry that goes into a pair of tongs! Is insane, kind of feel bad bitching about spending more than a tenner on kitchen tongs if they were made like this lol stunning work, simply stunning.
+Aartwood Thanks mate :D the sound is a bit shoddy this week - I think I was a bit close to the camera for the voiceover. I could have had the tongs done inside of 90 minutes if I hadn't been filming, but it helps that I've been at it a while! You'll be able to make your own crucible tongs for your smelting, now! :D
Great workmanship.
More bent that a banker after a bonus! Love it. Great tutorial!
I've been looking for a good video for these tongs. Great video!
+david mchone Glad I could help :)
Wonderful work.
You are a craftsman. Great video.
so nice tongs, that will be my next project
Interesting videos Thanks for posting. I watch and learn.
+jpavlvs Cheers mate :)
efficient smithing mate....damn!
Love this video and love the work, very good skills there mate. Don't know about the welding haven't done it before, but want to have a go.
great work I need to try forging some tongs sometime for when I forge candle cups
+Nick O thanks :) I don't make them very often and I like them big and chunky as you can see :) - I don't like them deforming when in use or flexing overly. I have some "viking" tongs which I made ages ago and they are brilliant for anything from sheet work to square bar.
Working the hinge plates could be a great idea for world peace: Get us hot, and rub us together until we learn to live in harmony! Excellent video! Jerry
Fantastic....................Thanks
+thornwarbler You're welcome :)
Shows angles and views of tech not shown elsewhere. I have seen similar tongs made using the cut-apart method. Some smiths also fully form the jaws first then forge weld the reigns. I guess it depends on what you have more confidence in. I still lack confidence with forge welding so I would rather make tongs as shown in this video. I am also still weak cutting long blanks apart so forge welding round reigns is good for me. To each his own.
Nicely done, thanks for sharing. Tongs still take me forever to make, though I am maybe getting faster.
Amazing!
+browneye77 Cheers pal, glad you liked it :D
Good , useful , functional and beautiful appearance :)
Excellent
Very nicely done. One of the best videos I've seen on tong making. Just a question though: is that a traditional stone trough you're using as a slake tub?
+E.R. Long cheers mate :) Yes, the quench tank/slack tub/front bosh (depending on where you are in the world) is a traditional stone trough - the forge I'm leasing was built in 1805 and the trough is original to when it was built!
That's wonderful
Excellent video.
I have been an amateur blacksmith for about five years, mostly self taught, with occasional advice and help from some professional smiths. I need to male some farrier tongs and keep the distance from the hinge plate to the bits as short as possible. I am afraid I will have some trouble aligning the bits because of the short distance from hinge plate to the bits. I would appreciate any suggestions you could make..
+Rb Duffer If you make them in the style of flat bit tong then the bit should start where the hinge-plate ends. You can also upset the bits back a little towards the hinge plate if need be. This is quite hard to describe, lol but I hope it makes sense!
The best way for both halves to align is to make them identical - sounds obvious but bear with me. Use batch-production techniques to make the two halves, i.e. produce the nibs of both halves first, then the hinge-plates, then the reins and you will find it easier for both halves to be produced identically.
What distance is there Rowan from the end of the bit and the fullered section how big is that???
Great video I like this as a another way compared to others on how to do this particular tongs but your audio sucks it crackles in and out really bad and the volume gets loud then quiet and bleeps without audio
How versatile are these tongs? Are they just good for 12 mm or do they work well enough within a range of a few mm.. like 10-14 maby?
sir. how would I go about purchasing these style tongs off you? I am an amateur (at best) blacksmith and have zero experience forge welding but I love the way these tongs function and look, plus I would like to support your habit also. so please let me know
Is it only my audio that sounds like theres a slight pause between every other syllable or is anybody else hear it too?
Sounds all broken up, either poor recording or a corrupted file I'd say.
Same here. I can’t enjoy it this way.
Impressive!
Rowan could you do a video please on making box jaw tongs?
hey rowan fantastic video! could we discuss me trying to purchase a pair of these off of you? they are great! I am nowhere near your skill level but am eagerly trying to learn/self teach myself. but I need a good pair for now untill I can get better and these would be perfect. pls let me know
!!! THANK YOU
Hello there, nice work but why working on the jaws after rivetting?
It's much easier to do them before rivetting. Kind regards from Filip Ponseele blacksmith-Belgium
THANK YOU BIG HELP.
GARE
Man, those are son sexy tongs!!!
+Jonathon Nagel Haha, thanks mate :)
such a posh accent