Good tutorial, John. As a beginner, I recently bought a half dozen pair of these. I’ve forged three pair into use and have to agree they’re a good product, inexpensive and fairly universal in use for getting started. The folks at Ken’s were great. Shipping was indeed reasonable for a batch. Having used them for a dozen or so small projects, I’d affirm that you do want to at least take the edges off the reins. The plasma cut edges wear on the hands pretty quickly. Take John’s advice, too, and groove the flat jaws. They’re pretty slippery otherwise. Ken’s slot jaw tongs really make a difference holding bar stock. I was even able to reheat them and get them to hold a piece of 3/4” round well enough to bend it 180* on the horn. All in all, I’m well pleased; got a lot of tools for the price of two typical pair, and didn’t have to try forging tongs from scratch using channellocks and without skill. Now, with a little experience, I can tackle those.
@@BlackBearForge I have really learned a lot from your channel and appreciate all the effort you put into it. If you haven't done the vbit tongs it would be a big help to me. The offset is what has caused me to scrap 2 pair already.
I, also bought bought both batches of tongs and have finished them and used tgem on several projects. Well worth the money and the time it takes to forge and assemble them. A great learning experience! They are a great company to deal with Customet service is the best!
I too bought the rapid tongs from Amazon, and it comes with a QR code that leads to Black Bear ,wich is perfect because I've been watching this channel for years 👌, great information here thank you for all your hard work and insight
I’ve been watching your videos for a few years now and just wanted to say thank you for the content you provide. For people like me looking to learn, but are unable to take a class for whatever reasons, to watch at our own pace and be able to put it down and pick it back up is to say the least awesome. Thank you for taking the time and effort to be a REAL educator. I bought a set of 5 tongs recently and when I opened the box there was a direct link to this video and I was pleasantly surprised to see a familiar face. Just wanted to take the time to say thank you and I look forward to seeing more content.
Very helpful, John! I really appreciate it and I really enjoy watching you work. You're a talented teacher! I should know, I was married to one for 15 years!
I chose this hobby for a few reasons. I grew up areound metal work, ive seen how folks can shape metal and i knew for sure, i could not drink while participating, hence, made great sense to me. Ive minorly burned myself already sober, adds to the cant drink part as well as the need to me smart and safe!
John, As I troll through your older content, I went ahead and bought a package set from Kens website. I am in the middle of putting the Quick Flat and Slot Tongs together. I had to take a break and thought I would come watch your video again. I find it sad that there are several vendors selling Tong blanks like Kens, using almost identical pictures from Ken's site and what I assume is inferior products, But they are not affiliated with Ken and to me it looks like they are just knock offs. One vender even referenced your video (good for your site). Thanks for all you do. ARMY
Those are definitely rip off artists. They pull images from Kens web site and my videos to advertise their lower quality product. But there is not much I have been able to do since they are mostly over seas.
You’re educaton is brilliant I’m 47 and I’m just getting in to the forge stuff I live in Australia I love the way you talk things through good or bad. Thanks Mate !
So I recently bought a set of knock offs of this idea on Amazon. It was a 5 pack of various tong blanks for $32. It came with a QR code that linked to this video as the only instructions in the box. Had I known about the Ken's tongs I would have ordered from him. Down side to having a good idea. Someone else will steal your idea and undercut your prices.
Thank you! Hottest day of the year here so I'm going to do this in tomorrow's storm. I have liked and subscribed and am already checking out some other videos.
I came into a set of quick tongs that were missing the rivets. Mary Lou helped me out getting what I needed. They put on a great 2 day beginner class. Both Ken and Mary Lou are very knowledgeable and willing to help make your skill much better. Well worth the money. Come to central Minnesota and enjoy 2 days over an anvil. I always learn from this TH-cam channel and get ways to do things if you don't have all the tools. Thank you.
I started forging recently and saw these rapid tongs on eBay and decided to get them. A few days later I saw your video about them. Your video on these tongs cannot be any better. You saved me a lot of time sir. Thank you.
I just got a pack of these from amazon. Another brand and they added a QR code to this video. Been watching your videos for a couple years and laughed when it sent me to yours. Hope they are paying you and kens
Thanks Mr. Switzer for making me aware of these. Though I have tried repeatedly to make a pair of tongs I am pleased with, I'm sure my Ken's will be a lot less work, and yield a better outcome (especially coupled with my recent acquisition of an anvil to replace my ASO and a vise.) Thank you, thank you!
Oh yeah and I've done 4 sets of quick and rapid tongs. I needed a pair of knee tongs but he doesn't carry blanks specifically for that style. I got a pair of his flat jaw tongs and made knee tongs by drawing the bits out and then bending them 90 degrees. They work great.
I bought the rapid tong set and got my first pair put together today. very easy to do and were basically my first blacksmithing project. I think they turned out very nice. still need to tune them for my stock tomorrow,
I agree! I've watched tons of blacksmithing videos in TH-cam and have since started the hobby, and this channel is one of the very best for learning. Others are either boring or too focused on entertainment and not enough on teaching.
Hey there John. Just wanted to let you know that I purchased a set of the quick tongs and they came in today. I look forward to building them and putting them to good use. Many thanks for a very informative video!!!!
Great video. Subscribed. After watching this I went and CNC Plasma cut some blanks and made my first set yesterday. Came out OK thanks to you. You have many great videos. Thank you.
I sent one of the quick tong sets to my son for Christmas. Waiting to see him put them to use. I do know he was working on a set of them last weekend because he told me that the chisel I forged and sent to him worked great splitting the bit on one set. Actually sent him a set of 4 punches and 1 chisel for Christmas to get him started. I had a hard time talking myself in to sending those to him, they'd a looked good in my punch tote.
The second forging project I ever did was a pair of tongs out of rebar. They were the ugliest things you've ever seen. But they worked. Very much appreciate the info on Ken's Iron Store. Thanks!
Very nice. I was watching a previous video of yours and saw them still bundled on your bench , knew it was from Kens. I had just ordered some. At about 10 bucks a pair, shipped....the work saved is totally worth it.
I bought a set of both quick and rapid tong from ken iron. I had to make a rivet header first to put these together. Thanks for the video on header and ball punch. To days the day to put some together. After getting them I think just getting the smaller set first would do just fine. I appreciate all your videos with all the tips. Thank you very much
Thank you so much for all your content. You really helped me get started on the right foot with blacksmithing. You're a natural teacher and basicaly everything i know about the craft is thanks to you.
Hello John, I thought those tong blanks looked familiar. :) Thanks very much again for the very useful information. I'm on my 9th pair from Ken's Iron and I have found them to be a great product. I built a pair of their large RR spike tongs late last summer. The RR spike knives do well in the museum gift shop during hunting season. I had a little problem with them, but after a chat with the folks at Ken's, I was able to see where things went haywire. The spike tongs have made the work on the knives a much more agreeable exercise. The tongs do seem to "wallow" out a bit though, after a time and need to be resized. It's not a big deal, just a reheat and a little work at the anvil with a spike. The other thing for me is that building the tongs from a precut blank has given me a better grasp of what needs to happen when tongs are built from scratch. I look forward to seeing more of what the possible shapes are for the flat jaw tongs. Also, do you recommend hardening or tempering? Thanks again!
I think the quick tongs and rapid tongs are going to be very useful. I never heat treat tongs and assumed these were made from mild steel and would not be hardenable anyway. I prefer mild steel so that if the get red hot in use you can quench them without fear of cracking. Some people make them from alloy steels that would be oil hardening and quenching them at a red heat in water would be a problem.
I think you are correct about them being made of mild steel; I believe the Ken's Iron folks mention that somewhere it their information about the quick/rapid tongs. Thanks!
I've bought a few sets of these tongs and have built 2 of the flat bit ones so far. I wonder if it wouldn't be a better option (and a little less fiddly) to use a piece of square bar of the desired size to form the channels in the bits after they are riveted (while hot of course). Forming the channels with a chisel and then trying to get them to line up after riveting seems a bit daunting to a beginner.
I checked out the "handiness" of a set of tongs I made for myself a while back. You are spot on, I am left handed, but just straight copied the tongs as per the video, the tongs definitely hold better in my left hand, and want to role away when I hold them in my right hand! (So suited to a right handed smith). So I pulled them apart and moved the reins so they are fully over the top of each other by the time they get to where I grip them, much better, but I will have another go with a new set - twisting the other direction, see if the result is better again.
I used to live in Colorado I'm in Nevada now for a while but I'm just starting blacksmith I'm just got my Forge my hammers those type of tongs yesterday
Thanks for doing a great job at teaching blacksmithing skills for beginners like me.I was thinking about purchasing this tong kit and after watching this video it looks like a good deal to me.
Thanks for this tutorial for Ken's tongs, I have a pair of quick tongs from Ken way back when the AUD and USD exchange rate meant the shipping to Australia was reasonable. Lately the shipping of a set from Ken was around $58 USD, I hope you will continue to show us how to make tongs from scratch, I am particularly interested in learning to make some light and heavy duty bolt tongs. I also think that Kens tongs are a great way for a beginner to get a set of tongs to start off. Thanks again for taking the time to make and edit a great presentation.
Shipping has really become expensive. I do have plans to do a few more videos on tongs from scratch including the forge welded variety. I will also plan on doing some bolt tongs.
I have some simple flat jaw tongs, they can't hold anything securely unless it has a very specific thickness and the constant adjustment is a hassle. I am a much bigger fan of bolt tongs, as long as you pick an appropriately sized pair they can hold most things at least moderately well after a little adjustment. The rapid tongs look like the perfect size to add to my collection of tongs.
Really great video John. I bought Kens scrolling tongs a year ago and they are my favorite set in the shop for making Rat tail ends. Really heavy duty! All of your videos are great and the tong making ones are my favorite John. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and skills.
Thanks for the site for the tongs I have trouble with my angles on the ones I have made they work lol and I'm getting better but this will help adjustment to mine
Thanks so much for these videos I just bought a set of the rapid tongs figured I’d learn a little and I spent more on a forge and some plate steel for a makeshift anvil.
Love your videos, very informative and thorough! Made a set of twisted tongs per your video and will definitely be looking into getting a starter set from Ken’s!
This sure is a great and very detailed video, it was and will be very informative in the future. Thank u for taking the time to put out such a well-made video. And thank kens iron aswell 4 a great product!
Thanks for the recommendation John. After a long and convoluted journey via Minnesota, Chicago, the North Atlantic, Her Majesty's Customs and Robbing Bastards, and the Royal Mail, my DIY blacksmiths tongs have arrived from Ken's Custom Iron. Looking forward to having a bash at these when I get my forge up and running. Two interesting points to note 1) Kens Custom Ironworks considers heavy duty tong blanks made of steel to be fragile. They must have some big strong lads delivering the post in America. 2) According to the US Postal Service I live in Great Britain and am Northern. Correct in two respects but unsupported by geography. Scotland, my dears, Scotland.
Im at 6:27 and i just want add something i have found helps utter newbies with the needing tongs to make tongs issue...harbor freight (or similar store even auto parts stores really anywhere with dirt cheap tools) will have 11" pliers for sale ...harbor freight has them on sale frequently for just a couple bucks but are regularly priced about $7.50 ...file the teeth down so they are slightly grooved but not sharp ridges and they make for a cheap set of very basic (certainly not ideal) tongs to forge your premade tong blanks with ...you can also order a set of long handle pliers from amazon fairly cheap ...when you finally have your tongs forged round over your plier jaws and use them for scrolling work for tight scrolls
Make sure your buying from Ken's Custom Iron website. I ordered some from amazon before I knew. Came from China. They even reference this video with their documentation, which is a QR code. They are cheaper but I'll buy the made in USA ones next time.
You mention in this video the rapid tongs work great for lighter work and quick for heavier work. Is there a general size range for rapid and quick tongs? Most of my work is 1/2 and smaller though some tooling will be closer to 1½-2 would rapid tongs work for most of it and maybe a pair of quick bolt Jaws for the tooling? Great videos keep up the good work
Hello and thanks for all you have taught me, I’m looking to start making hammers but what is the best all round tongs you would recommend for hammer making ? Thanks 😊
Thank you for this video! I'd seen these tong kits before but wasn't sure if I wanted to spend the money on them, if they would be worth it in the long run. I think I'll be ordering a set now.
I think they are worth it for learning how tongs work and making tongs in a hurry, in the long run they probably aren't as nice as forged from scratch, if you have the skills to forge tongs from scratch.
You could make/invent some two piece handled tongs so that they would fit into a flat rate shipping box. Make them screw together maybe like a pool que. Or just make the ends fit together so they would be easy to weld.
Great video! This is a very good option for beginners, cheap and you learn something. I like your videos. Can you tell me what kind of steel these tongs are made of? And generally what kind of steel is used to make tongs?
What length should the rivets be when they are first put into the tongs and before they are put into the forge. The rivets I received with the Rapid tongs look to be much longer than the ones you used in you video. Thanks. Great video as always!
The explanation for handedness was good. The instructions that came with my quick tongs was not 100% clear on that. But I would like to see a set that has reigns which are one over the other. Or each has a slight offset to bring them in line. What is the best way to do this?
I've started my first ever pair of quick tongs (3/8" thick stock). I drew out the reins, twisted both jaws 1/4" CC-wise, shaped the jaws and added the V grooves, drilled the holes for the rivet and did a dry-fit. They don't line up at all! Both jaws are pretty much identical, are 1" wide at the boss, and the only way the jaws would ever line up is if there were a 1/4" gap between the two halves at the boss. They came 1" wide from Ken's, so the only customizing I did was to taper the thickness and add the v-notch as in your video. Before I rivet them, I'm wondering if I did something wrong... (wish I could post a picture).
If you are in the Facebook group you can post pictures there. But it sounds like it would help to forge the bits down that 1/4". They are left wide to allow people to make different style of tongs. For flat jaw tong you want the bit to be twice as wide as the boss so when you assemble them they are the same width. I hope that makes sense.
@@BlackBearForge Thanks for the quick reply on an old video! Loving your channel. I'll check out the Facebook group. Yeah, after checking some books, it looks like the jaws need to be 3/4" wide for 3/8" material. So if I forge down the jaws from 1" wide to 3/4" wide, they should line up fine. Would be nice if their instructions mentioned that!
Good tutorial, John. As a beginner, I recently bought a half dozen pair of these. I’ve forged three pair into use and have to agree they’re a good product, inexpensive and fairly universal in use for getting started. The folks at Ken’s were great. Shipping was indeed reasonable for a batch.
Having used them for a dozen or so small projects, I’d affirm that you do want to at least take the edges off the reins. The plasma cut edges wear on the hands pretty quickly. Take John’s advice, too, and groove the flat jaws. They’re pretty slippery otherwise.
Ken’s slot jaw tongs really make a difference holding bar stock. I was even able to reheat them and get them to hold a piece of 3/4” round well enough to bend it 180* on the horn.
All in all, I’m well pleased; got a lot of tools for the price of two typical pair, and didn’t have to try forging tongs from scratch using channellocks and without skill. Now, with a little experience, I can tackle those.
Glad to know that others feel the same way I do about the tongs. Also glad you enjoyed the video.
@@BlackBearForge
I have really learned a lot from your channel and appreciate all the effort you put into it. If you haven't done the vbit tongs it would be a big help to me. The offset is what has caused me to scrap 2 pair already.
@@BlackBearForge where are you from?
I, also bought bought both batches of tongs and have finished them and used tgem on several projects.
Well worth the money and the time it takes to forge and assemble them. A great learning experience!
They are a great company to deal with
Customet service is the best!
What kind of wax do you use?
I too bought the rapid tongs from Amazon, and it comes with a QR code that leads to Black Bear ,wich is perfect because I've been watching this channel for years 👌, great information here thank you for all your hard work and insight
Haha, same here! The only channel I subscribe to besides Steele!
Same happened to me this morning. I was very pleased to see John's face pop up. New I was in good hands
I’ve been watching your videos for a few years now and just wanted to say thank you for the content you provide. For people like me looking to learn, but are unable to take a class for whatever reasons, to watch at our own pace and be able to put it down and pick it back up is to say the least awesome. Thank you for taking the time and effort to be a REAL educator. I bought a set of 5 tongs recently and when I opened the box there was a direct link to this video and I was pleasantly surprised to see a familiar face.
Just wanted to take the time to say thank you and I look forward to seeing more content.
Just wanted to say thanks for taking the time to make and share these videos with us.
Very helpful, John! I really appreciate it and I really enjoy watching you work. You're a talented teacher! I should know, I was married to one for 15 years!
I appreciate that!
Thanks for the video! I did not know tongs were "handed". I always learn from your videos.
I chose this hobby for a few reasons. I grew up areound metal work, ive seen how folks can shape metal and i knew for sure, i could not drink while participating, hence, made great sense to me. Ive minorly burned myself already sober, adds to the cant drink part as well as the need to me smart and safe!
John,
As I troll through your older content, I went ahead and bought a package set from Kens website.
I am in the middle of putting the Quick Flat and Slot Tongs together.
I had to take a break and thought I would come watch your video again.
I find it sad that there are several vendors selling Tong blanks like Kens, using almost identical pictures from Ken's site and what I assume is inferior products,
But they are not affiliated with Ken and to me it looks like they are just knock offs.
One vender even referenced your video (good for your site).
Thanks for all you do.
ARMY
Those are definitely rip off artists. They pull images from Kens web site and my videos to advertise their lower quality product. But there is not much I have been able to do since they are mostly over seas.
You’re educaton is brilliant I’m 47 and I’m just getting in to the forge stuff I live in Australia I love the way you talk things through good or bad. Thanks Mate !
Hey Tony I'm 45 & just doing the same. I live in Tasmania. You can buy this set of tongs on ebay for around $60.
Where in Oz are you Tony, would love to have a local forge buddy to make mistakes with! I am just north if brissie!
Just got into to it myself you have any pointers?
So I recently bought a set of knock offs of this idea on Amazon. It was a 5 pack of various tong blanks for $32. It came with a QR code that linked to this video as the only instructions in the box. Had I known about the Ken's tongs I would have ordered from him. Down side to having a good idea. Someone else will steal your idea and undercut your prices.
Same
Same here too. In future I will buy from Ken.
Same
Same
I'm also guilty and will buy else from Ken.
Thanks for all the info, just got my tong set from kens, starting on them now. You are my favorite video. Thanks again.
new sub from Seward Alaska and I have to thank you for this channel brother! Very helpful video, blessings to you and yours.
Welcome aboard!
For being a fairly basic topic, this is actually a very informative and INCREDIBLY useful video! Well done! I’m saving this for future reference.
Thank you! Hottest day of the year here so I'm going to do this in tomorrow's storm. I have liked and subscribed and am already checking out some other videos.
Thanks for the sub!
A very pleasant enjoyable, informative video. Thank you, Sir!
Just bought a pair can’t wait to get started
Thanks for this video, I just got these tongs. New to this, so this video is very helpful.
I came into a set of quick tongs that were missing the rivets. Mary Lou helped me out getting what I needed.
They put on a great 2 day beginner class. Both Ken and Mary Lou are very knowledgeable and willing to help make your skill much better. Well worth the money.
Come to central Minnesota and enjoy 2 days over an anvil.
I always learn from this TH-cam channel and get ways to do things if you don't have all the tools. Thank you.
Just bought some of these. Been waiting years for a UK supplier! The QR code in the box sent me here!
I started forging recently and saw these rapid tongs on eBay and decided to get them. A few days later I saw your video about them. Your video on these tongs cannot be any better. You saved me a lot of time sir. Thank you.
I am glad the video was helpful. I think you will enjoy the tongs
I bought a set of Ken's rapid tongs and used a pair of vice grips to do the first one and then was good to go.
as a beginner i love the help with the "blacksmiths dilema" how to make stuff to hold stuff:)
I do hope this helps out
I just got a pack of these from amazon. Another brand and they added a QR code to this video. Been watching your videos for a couple years and laughed when it sent me to yours. Hope they are paying you and kens
I hope to see you do them all!!
Thanks Mr. Switzer for making me aware of these. Though I have tried repeatedly to make a pair of tongs I am pleased with, I'm sure my Ken's will be a lot less work, and yield a better outcome (especially coupled with my recent acquisition of an anvil to replace my ASO and a vise.) Thank you, thank you!
Glad to help
It's really cool going back and watching your older videos.
The anvil really has a hi ring to it compared to now!!
Those quick tongs are worth it, saves a bunch of time and money for the 1st set of tongs to get started. Thank you.
I sure appreciate the time that you take to make these videos! I’m learning a lot, as I go through all of your videos! Thank you!
Oh yeah and I've done 4 sets of quick and rapid tongs. I needed a pair of knee tongs but he doesn't carry blanks specifically for that style. I got a pair of his flat jaw tongs and made knee tongs by drawing the bits out and then bending them 90 degrees. They work great.
I bought the rapid tong set and got my first pair put together today. very easy to do and were basically my first blacksmithing project. I think they turned out very nice. still need to tune them for my stock tomorrow,
Another great finish to this project ! Will definitely check out Ken's rapid and quick tongs !
I have always wanted to try blacksmithing. Your videos I like the best. Projects are broke down and explained well.
Thank you
I agree! I've watched tons of blacksmithing videos in TH-cam and have since started the hobby, and this channel is one of the very best for learning. Others are either boring or too focused on entertainment and not enough on teaching.
Hey there John. Just wanted to let you know that I purchased a set of the quick tongs and they came in today. I look forward to building them and putting them to good use. Many thanks for a very informative video!!!!
Great video. Subscribed. After watching this I went and CNC Plasma cut some blanks and made my first set yesterday. Came out OK thanks to you. You have many great videos. Thank you.
12/25/23. Just received the Quick Tong Bundle Set as a Christmas present can wait to heat and beat.👊
Hi there Blacksmith, I now have my forge up and running I am still looking to get a camera that will give me a nice picture that is clear. Nice video.
I sent one of the quick tong sets to my son for Christmas. Waiting to see him put them to use. I do know he was working on a set of them last weekend because he told me that the chisel I forged and sent to him worked great splitting the bit on one set. Actually sent him a set of 4 punches and 1 chisel for Christmas to get him started. I had a hard time talking myself in to sending those to him, they'd a looked good in my punch tote.
You will just have to make more for yourself I suppose.
The second forging project I ever did was a pair of tongs out of rebar. They were the ugliest things you've ever seen. But they worked. Very much appreciate the info on Ken's Iron Store. Thanks!
Just getting going over here. Going to have to pick up a set of the rapids. Thanks for the video
I just received my first pair from Ken's custom iron and I can't wait to get started forging them. Thank you for the information and instruction.
I think you will be happy with them.
I just ordered a set of these so thank you for showing me how to set them up.
Very nice. I was watching a previous video of yours and saw them still bundled on your bench , knew it was from Kens. I had just ordered some. At about 10 bucks a pair, shipped....the work saved is totally worth it.
Really nice video. Very thorough and comprehensive. Thanks
I bought a set of both quick and rapid tong from ken iron. I had to make a rivet header first to put these together. Thanks for the video on header and ball punch. To days the day to put some together. After getting them I think just getting the smaller set first would do just fine. I appreciate all your videos with all the tips. Thank you very much
I will have to look into these tong kits , it's worth a look. Thanks for the great video
I love these after watching you I bought a whole set and have been using them constantly .. thanks for the info. Yer a great teacher.
Thank you for the in-depth instruction. I messed up my first pair of the quick tong blanks but now I know what to do.
Thank you so much for all your content. You really helped me get started on the right foot with blacksmithing. You're a natural teacher and basicaly everything i know about the craft is thanks to you.
I'm a new smith and learning this is very informative.
Hello John, I thought those tong blanks looked familiar. :) Thanks very much again for the very useful information. I'm on my 9th pair from Ken's Iron and I have found them to be a great product. I built a pair of their large RR spike tongs late last summer. The RR spike knives do well in the museum gift shop during hunting season. I had a little problem with them, but after a chat with the folks at Ken's, I was able to see where things went haywire. The spike tongs have made the work on the knives a much more agreeable exercise. The tongs do seem to "wallow" out a bit though, after a time and need to be resized. It's not a big deal, just a reheat and a little work at the anvil with a spike. The other thing for me is that building the tongs from a precut blank has given me a better grasp of what needs to happen when tongs are built from scratch. I look forward to seeing more of what the possible shapes are for the flat jaw tongs. Also, do you recommend hardening or tempering? Thanks again!
I think the quick tongs and rapid tongs are going to be very useful. I never heat treat tongs and assumed these were made from mild steel and would not be hardenable anyway. I prefer mild steel so that if the get red hot in use you can quench them without fear of cracking. Some people make them from alloy steels that would be oil hardening and quenching them at a red heat in water would be a problem.
I think you are correct about them being made of mild steel; I believe the Ken's Iron folks mention that somewhere it their information about the quick/rapid tongs. Thanks!
I love your videos. I watch consistently and I am learning a great deal. I appreciate your skill!
I've bought a few sets of these tongs and have built 2 of the flat bit ones so far. I wonder if it wouldn't be a better option (and a little less fiddly) to use a piece of square bar of the desired size to form the channels in the bits after they are riveted (while hot of course). Forming the channels with a chisel and then trying to get them to line up after riveting seems a bit daunting to a beginner.
Great video John, really found it informative and very helpful
I checked out the "handiness" of a set of tongs I made for myself a while back. You are spot on, I am left handed, but just straight copied the tongs as per the video, the tongs definitely hold better in my left hand, and want to role away when I hold them in my right hand! (So suited to a right handed smith).
So I pulled them apart and moved the reins so they are fully over the top of each other by the time they get to where I grip them, much better, but I will have another go with a new set - twisting the other direction, see if the result is better again.
Handedness is easy to overlook or get backwards, but it does make them easier to use if you get them right.
I used to live in Colorado I'm in Nevada now for a while but I'm just starting blacksmith I'm just got my Forge my hammers those type of tongs yesterday
Thanks for doing a great job at teaching blacksmithing skills for beginners like me.I was thinking about purchasing this tong kit and after watching this video it looks like a good deal to me.
I am glad it was helpful. I think you will find them to be a good investment.
The last comments on making a temporary set of tongs with a bolt is priceless.
Thanks for this tutorial for Ken's tongs, I have a pair of quick tongs from Ken way back when the AUD and USD exchange rate meant the shipping to Australia was reasonable. Lately the shipping of a set from Ken was around $58 USD, I hope you will continue to show us how to make tongs from scratch, I am particularly interested in learning to make some light and heavy duty bolt tongs. I also think that Kens tongs are a great way for a beginner to get a set of tongs to start off.
Thanks again for taking the time to make and edit a great presentation.
Shipping has really become expensive. I do have plans to do a few more videos on tongs from scratch including the forge welded variety. I will also plan on doing some bolt tongs.
I have some simple flat jaw tongs, they can't hold anything securely unless it has a very specific thickness and the constant adjustment is a hassle. I am a much bigger fan of bolt tongs, as long as you pick an appropriately sized pair they can hold most things at least moderately well after a little adjustment. The rapid tongs look like the perfect size to add to my collection of tongs.
Really great video John. I bought Kens scrolling tongs a year ago and they are my favorite set in the shop for making Rat tail ends. Really heavy duty! All of your videos are great and the tong making ones are my favorite John. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and skills.
Thahk you, glad you are enjoying the show
I just assembled mine. It was really helpful to see how to put them together before attempting to make my own. It’s a great way to learn.
I have purchased several things from Ken I especially like his block brush
Merry Christmas man!
Thank you very much the tongs work great
Thanks for the site for the tongs I have trouble with my angles on the ones I have made they work lol and I'm getting better but this will help adjustment to mine
Thanks so much for these videos I just bought a set of the rapid tongs figured I’d learn a little and I spent more on a forge and some plate steel for a makeshift anvil.
I think you will be happy with them.
Appreciate your videos & knowledge very much, thanks
Very nice video thanks for taking the time to teach us
This is how I got my first sets of tongs. I found punching them much easier than drilling
Thanks for the video. I just got my first set from Ken's and am looking forward to the assembly process now that I've watched your video!
Love your videos, very informative and thorough! Made a set of twisted tongs per your video and will definitely be looking into getting a starter set from Ken’s!
This sure is a great and very detailed video, it was and will be very informative in the future. Thank u for taking the time to put out such a well-made video. And thank kens iron aswell 4 a great product!
I have seveeral of these tongs. They are easy to put together, and they work well.
Thanks for the recommendation John. After a long and convoluted journey via Minnesota, Chicago, the North Atlantic, Her Majesty's Customs and Robbing Bastards, and the Royal Mail, my DIY blacksmiths tongs have arrived from Ken's Custom Iron. Looking forward to having a bash at these when I get my forge up and running. Two interesting points to note 1) Kens Custom Ironworks considers heavy duty tong blanks made of steel to be fragile. They must have some big strong lads delivering the post in America. 2) According to the US Postal Service I live in Great Britain and am Northern. Correct in two respects but unsupported by geography. Scotland, my dears, Scotland.
I hope they work out well for you
Good video, I bought the 43 dollar set a few months back and haven't touched them. I think ill go ahead and tackle it now.
I know how easy it is to buy things with good intentions and then not get it done. I am just now mounting a hose reel I bought 2 months ago.
Im at 6:27 and i just want add something i have found helps utter newbies with the needing tongs to make tongs issue...harbor freight (or similar store even auto parts stores really anywhere with dirt cheap tools) will have 11" pliers for sale ...harbor freight has them on sale frequently for just a couple bucks but are regularly priced about $7.50 ...file the teeth down so they are slightly grooved but not sharp ridges and they make for a cheap set of very basic (certainly not ideal) tongs to forge your premade tong blanks with ...you can also order a set of long handle pliers from amazon fairly cheap ...when you finally have your tongs forged round over your plier jaws and use them for scrolling work for tight scrolls
Thank you John, this was great!
great idea! I will check them out.
❤ your Chanel
Make sure your buying from Ken's Custom Iron website. I ordered some from amazon before I knew. Came from China. They even reference this video with their documentation, which is a QR code. They are cheaper but I'll buy the made in USA ones next time.
You mention in this video the rapid tongs work great for lighter work and quick for heavier work. Is there a general size range for rapid and quick tongs? Most of my work is 1/2 and smaller though some tooling will be closer to 1½-2 would rapid tongs work for most of it and maybe a pair of quick bolt Jaws for the tooling? Great videos keep up the good work
I didn't get directions! I just got a small card with a QR code that was a link to this video. You are the instructions!
Hello and thanks for all you have taught me, I’m looking to start making hammers but what is the best all round tongs you would recommend for hammer making ? Thanks 😊
Thank you for this video! I'd seen these tong kits before but wasn't sure if I wanted to spend the money on them, if they would be worth it in the long run. I think I'll be ordering a set now.
I think they are worth it for learning how tongs work and making tongs in a hurry, in the long run they probably aren't as nice as forged from scratch, if you have the skills to forge tongs from scratch.
i do not just yet, I'm still learning. I'm actually in the middle of trying to build a set using your previous video on the flat stock twist method
BRAVO. JAN
What?!? We're allowed to file or grind the jaws to make them nice?!? That's awesome!
You could make/invent some two piece handled tongs so that they would fit into a flat rate shipping box. Make them screw together maybe like a pool que. Or just make the ends fit together so they would be easy to weld.
Such excellent instruction, John! Thanks so much. About to go shape my first pair. This is my favorite blacksmithing channel.
Excelent video.
tnks for video!! is so good!!
great tongs i got some
Great video! This is a very good option for beginners, cheap and you learn something. I like your videos. Can you tell me what kind of steel these tongs are made of? And generally what kind of steel is used to make tongs?
I saw those on either eBay or Amazon, and was wondering...
Thanks for sharing.
Probably already to late, but buy them straight from Kens store. Cheaper that way.
What length should the rivets be when they are first put into the tongs and before they are put into the forge. The rivets I received with the Rapid tongs look to be much longer than the ones you used in you video. Thanks. Great video as always!
The general rule of thumb is 1 1/2 time the rivet diameter longer than the material you're going through.
@@BlackBearForge Thank you!
The explanation for handedness was good. The instructions that came with my quick tongs was not 100% clear on that. But I would like to see a set that has reigns which are one over the other. Or each has a slight offset to bring them in line. What is the best way to do this?
They do have some cool kits
Thanks!
I've started my first ever pair of quick tongs (3/8" thick stock). I drew out the reins, twisted both jaws 1/4" CC-wise, shaped the jaws and added the V grooves, drilled the holes for the rivet and did a dry-fit. They don't line up at all! Both jaws are pretty much identical, are 1" wide at the boss, and the only way the jaws would ever line up is if there were a 1/4" gap between the two halves at the boss. They came 1" wide from Ken's, so the only customizing I did was to taper the thickness and add the v-notch as in your video. Before I rivet them, I'm wondering if I did something wrong... (wish I could post a picture).
If you are in the Facebook group you can post pictures there. But it sounds like it would help to forge the bits down that 1/4". They are left wide to allow people to make different style of tongs. For flat jaw tong you want the bit to be twice as wide as the boss so when you assemble them they are the same width. I hope that makes sense.
@@BlackBearForge Thanks for the quick reply on an old video! Loving your channel. I'll check out the Facebook group. Yeah, after checking some books, it looks like the jaws need to be 3/4" wide for 3/8" material. So if I forge down the jaws from 1" wide to 3/4" wide, they should line up fine. Would be nice if their instructions mentioned that!
Excellent video! How many pounds is the hammer you are using here? Also, for something like knife making will the smaller Rapid tongs be large enough?
Very good video thank you sir