John is a great teacher, best thing is the only interruption you are likely to see is his wife running in with hot cakes and coffee or Johns pants catching fire, neither of which has happened yet!
I fully agree there are no working blacksmiths in my area I live in and these videos are as close as I will get, thank you very very much, John, for all your work into these videos and you help a lot if starting out blacksmiths like myself.
This has really helped me to learn the trade. Especially the videos on failure. They help me keep going forward and learning. Even pros mess up. Kinda wish he showed his first pair of tongs lol.
I have to say sir without disrespect to the other channels that you have to be the best teacher of blacksmithing on TH-cam at this time. I'm getting so much out of your lessons. As a beginning smith you are easy to understand. Thank you
Black Bear Forge- indeed you are! I'm a 54 yr old fabricator/ Welder, making a living at it for 42 yr. Believe it or not. I haven't had formal blacksmithing training or machinist training and that's my next quest to master. I want to die a master metal worker with 100 years of professional experience. What? It can happen, I have good genes! You're gonna help me get there! I'm learning not only great hammer techniques, but excellent theory. Yeah I'm getting a lot from your hard work. If you ever feel that you are running out of content, a series about building your hydraulic forging press would be wonderful! I have the larger book, but can't find the paperback book anywhere, and boy do I here that is the Bible of hydraulic forging press books. Thanks again
I've been interested in smithing for a few months. I never would have expected to be so excited to see metal being struck before, yet here I am. You explain why you do things well, and this was an interesting watch. Thank you so much for this content. I wish you and yours health and happiness.
There's a moment in all smithing vidoes now after 5 or so minutes when that first hammer blow hits the hot metal for the first time and its pretty much the most exciting thing for me right now 😂😂
I know this is an old video, but... As a new learner who just got their full set of equipment but has yet to fire up the forge, your videos have provided a TON of practical knowledge that supplments my reading and these "How to do something from the absolute bare minimum" type videos are enormously helpful. Incredible work thank you.
I really like your modest, non-nonsense wisdom. The experience and knowledge that you share is what is good about the internet. I lke that you encourage practice and thoughfulness.
Several years ago, after reading one book on forging, I built a small forge from fire clay and local sand. Used a hair dryer and charcoal. First tool I made was a pair of tongs. Boy oh boy did you hit the nail on the head when you said that you need tongs to make tongs. Thank you so much. I lost my dad too early in life. Listening to you reminds me of my dad talking to me...
Aidan Mattson Not even sure how to reply... admittedly, I know little to nothing about Judaism. But from my limited looking, it appears as though a man named “Tubal-Cain” was responsible for creating tools like that... (Genesis 4:22). But I’m interested in Jewish history as well. Is that a Talmud thing? Josephus? Or another source? I’m not being snarky, I’m truly interested.
Mauishuck I heard about it from the internet, but it supposedly comes from the Pirkei Avot, an important foundation for Jewish belief. “Ten things were created on the eve of the Sabbath at twilight, and these are they: [1] the mouth of the earth, [2] the mouth of the well, [3] the mouth of the donkey, [4] the rainbow, [5] the manna, [6] the staff [of Moses], [7] the shamir, [8] the letters, [9] the writing, [10] and the tablets. And some say: also the demons, the grave of Moses, and the ram of Abraham, our father. And some say: and also tongs, made with tongs”
I love the depth that he goes through to break everything down for someone who knows nothing (me). This makes it an extremely easy to follow along and actually learn through second hand experience. I swear people should not sleep on these long TH-cam educational videos.
As a mechanic, I already have various hammers. Recently obtained 18" of railroad track. One step closer. At 62 it's an "old dog, new tricks" thing. Thank you for the videos
I DID IT!!!! It took me way longer than it took you but I did it. I followed your steps and made tongs. I’m pretty proud of them. I’m sure they’ll need more adjustments as I start using them and they aren’t too pretty but I made them. First project in my single burner Amazon forge. Crappy hammer and a hunk of steel as an anvil. It’s much easier to watch you do this stuff but not as satisfying. Lol. Thanks for helping and inspiring.
I love these tutorials, sir. You are an excellent teacher. You keep things simple for the beginner without overwhelming with jargon, fancy tools and expensive machines. Thank you!
I know it was 5 years ago but I Loved this. I am 57 on a Disability pension so money is always a problem. I have made the gas forge. Made a sort of anvil / steel . So I now just need some tools . This has helped me hopefully to make some . Thank you so much. Kind regards Andy. Perth Australia.
You have a heart for beginners. I love that. Y ou are a true Blacksmith. You encourage our lost art. Keep doing what you are doing. You are the ultimate teacher.
Your videos really grab the viewer. If I start one, it's getting watched to the end. You have (in my opinion) the best presentation of any of the blacksmith channels. Not wild squirrel bouncing off the walls or bored to death droning monotone. Just interesting and instructive without superfluous drivel. You have a natural talent for instruction in a clear, concise, no nonsense pleasant fashion. Good stuff.
@@DracoWhitefire I wonder who works with Steele and fits that description? I'll take blacksmithing channels for $500 Alex... I like his channel too if we are talking about the same guy. I watch a lot of different smiths and makers and Black Bear is the best teacher I've found yet. Daniel is good, HOJ I enjoy, County Line, B&B I just found, Christ Centered I've seen, that's all I can think of right now. Any recommendations will be appreciated. I liked Chandler but he quit and Liam I like but he's not producing many videos lately.
Hi there John, I'm a huge fan of your videos. I am from Portugal, and the situation of blacksmithing here is really sad, and this is because, we dont have a big and tied community like you do in the States, and you have shops for blacksmiths, we don't and it's horrible, I hate it, but I love blacksmithing,so i'm gonna pursue it, whatever it takes.
My first pair of tongs I had a welding glove, pliers and vice grips! Just as you said! Got the job done, lots of frustration, swearing and burnt fingers later I had something that loosely looked like tongs and worked just as badly. But, they did work well enough to get me through those first steps! Still have them somewhere, if I had to burrow them out I probably could. I wouldn’t throw them into scrap, they have history, but not enough for a place on the wall!
We need to get this great man some kind of gift. He’s making us upstart blacksmiths a tutorial on tong making(our essential tools) in the bitter cold god bless him. Thank you 🙏 kind sir for giving us some of your knowledge
I’m 50 my kids are all out on their on now and have more time to myself so decided I’d love to do basic blacksmithing. Absolutely love your videos and you make things so easy to follow!
I can only add positive comments to your videos. I am not through every single one you've put out yet, but to date, these are the most enjoyable videos I watch. I usually am catching them during down time at work and sure makes a slow day go by easily. A real inspiration to finally getting my own hobby forge up and running. I hope you take on apprentice smiths, they would succeed well under your tutelage.
Yeah, I love how everything is simple, and that he explains all the options, including that buying tools is ok. As a beginner myself, its nice to know that I'm not alone in trying to find other tools like pliers and grips to use.
All I can say is THANK YOU SO MUCH for sharing your knowledge. You are without a doubt a true craftsman. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I honestly respect you and your talent.
I picked up the material this morning and following along with you, I got as far as rounding the ends of the reins on both pieces. I am stocked that I could get this far. I am still using an old pipe as an anvil and a ball-peen hammer intended for auto mechanic work. Thank you for showing me this skill. I am grateful.
This is one of the videos that really make people follow you. Because you are a great teacher. And with this video you show and inspire how things can be done without all the fancy tools. To me that's blacksmithing. I understand making money. You need To be more efficient with more fancy tools. Blacksmithing is basic. And your videos you tell how it can be done both ways. And that's great and what makes you a great teacher. I hope to one day get to meet and work with you. Thanks. And keep up the great work.
This may be a dumb? But. I'm going to ask anyway. What do you make your rivets out of. Is just going and getting 1/4 inch round stock. Or what ever size you need. In round stock. Mild steel. Thanks.
If you need an exact size, cold roll is exact, but for punched holes whatever low carbon steel you have that fits should be fine. You can also buy soft steel rivets
I’m thinking of getting a pair of wolf jaw tongs to start with as they seem to be the most versatile single pair of tongs out there. But this is going to make life cheaper and easier later!
Got into it as a hobby second thing I learned was making tongs. Used a pare of channellocks to start. Ended up making 10 or 12 sets of tongs. Had plenty of scrap metal and got to like making them. Watched a video where the blacksmith used flat bar and it was quick and easy
Thanks for motivating me to try and make my tongs again. I don't know how many times I have failed but this inspired me to take my old failed attempts and try them again!
As also beginning I went to the Quad State Roundup ,a big black Smith gathering not having much free $$ I found some cheap tongs well made but broken.Well sir I took five pairs home for five$$$ and divided each kept the good side and now copy 2 of the best side and as a 3D model the two making for a nice set adding a rivit Hopefully it helps
I'd love to to type out a novel for all the reasons I enjoy watching your channel, but I won't. Suffice to say, you create the most relative, concise and realistically informative media on the subject I've been able to find for free online. What's better is you present it in a way that is clearly speaking from both experience and knowledge. You're not just reproducing what you've seen other people do on TH-cam. It's extremely helpful to those of us who have only been smithing for a year or two. Anyway, to keep it short, I greatly appreciate your channel and you. I watch one of your videos at least once a day. Thank you. You've directly helped me to be a better smith in only a few short months. Please, keep the videos coming.
Oh stop, you're making me blush ;). Thank you I am pleased that people like the videos and are finding them helpful as they travel their own journey into blacksmithing.
I love your videos sir, some other people are hard to understand what they're doing when they talk about it but your directions are easy to understand because they are simple and straight to the point thank you for that
Thank you Mr. Swisher after watching your beginner tong making video I was finally successful at making my first pair they don't look like a pair black bear made but they look ok and are functional again TU again an look forward to many more videos
I watched this video maybe a year ago and I never did finish them. I look at them everyday and think I’m ready to start over. Thanks for all your videos.
Flat out one of the best concepts for a blacksmith channel. The only others with a similar concept of teaching in detail I have found are Big dog forge, Roy of Christ centered..., Joey Vandersteeg, and Dennis of DF in the shop. I like your idea of starting out at the beginning and developing the basics one step at a time. I and many others will be attemping to follow along and make these tools and tongs. Keep up the mentoring.
Thanks, i will try to find enough subject matter to keep beginning and intermediate smiths in new ideas. But as we go along I will also try to introduce more advanced projects.
I made this pair of tongs today. I started smithing just a few months ago. And I’ve been using channel locks and vise grips and have failed at every pair of tongs I’ve tried to make. The Brian Brazeal tongs and so forth. I made your pattern tongs today and I love them! Thank you for your videos and all you do. Love your vids and the way you teach! Keep em coming please.
My main trade is an electrician therefore I own many sizes of channel locks. They worked great for making the tools I needed to make my first pair of tongs. Just make sure they don't get over heated like any other tool you use for black smithing
This is the 2nd video of yours that I've watched and I had to subscribe. I'm starting completely from scratch but I'm trying to get started making knives in my garage and so far your videos have been very helpful. I've been a welder for about 25 years but I've never forged anything. I'll definitely be referencing your videos throughout the process. Keep up the great work!!!
Once again i really appreciate you taking the time to make these videos. Most masters dont take the time to teach the little guys. No matter if a person is a master or a novice. the way you explain things in detail and different options there is always somthing to be learned. Thank you again keep up the great work.
4:40 A video on what tools to make first would be tremendously helpful. I'm taking a class soon and then I'm going to build a forge. I have a couple friends that work in metal shops that I'm hoping can get me some piece of scrap metal suitable for an anvil-like object.
I to just started a few days Used angle cut wheel ,cutoff hardy ,2# hammer,forage shovel, round pointed punch.notepad ruler help me and making tongs and chisels first Hope this helps
I'm still using the tongs I made out of 3/8" rebar. They are for light duty to be sure, but they got me started. I look forward to making a version like this.
So far ive made some tongs from 1/2" rebar by 24". Only needed gloves to make them. They suck for sure but hey I had fun making them and they hold stuff for the most part lol.
I didn't have a hardy (just have a block of steel for an anvil) so I drilled a hole in a stump that fit the end of my cold chisel and used it a bit like a hardy tool. It's got terrible rebound so you have to hit it like heck, but it works.
Your performance is by no means pissy, in fact its probably the best on TH-cam that I've seen so far. Im just posting this for the people who need to see it. 7 P's Proper Prior Planing Prevents Piss Poor Performance
19:15 The chain around the anvil? I have childhood memories of holding my ears as Dad belted the crap out of something on the anvil and yet you just talk over it. Is that chain a muffler? That anvil is identical to ours decades ago.
I like everything about the video, with the exception of the design reins of the tongs. It seems they would easily cause blood blisters on your hand when used.
A great video as always..... thanks. Using 1" X 1/4" flat bar seems to be the right material to make tongs. On a side note I spend much of my non shop time watching you and Roy Adams on youtube. I really like the format of you and Roy use, it is easy to follow along and duplicate. I started what I call playing around with the forge and anvil at the end of nov 2017, really like process of forging projects. Thanks for another great video.
Another great video. The great detail in your explanation and the different methods shown make it a very good instruction from which I really can learn the craft, thank you! BTW my name used to be My (or 'my phone') I'm the Dutch firefighter and I changed my avatar so it now shows ;).
You mentioned something about “we should do a series with just forge, hammer, and anvil and make our own tools”. Please do. I’m brand new to this (my forge hasn’t even come in yet) and I’m super lost on where to start. This would be incredibly helpful
See that's what I like about you, you always keep the poor and simple man or woman in mind with your videos never change to fit TH-cam as TH-cam ain't the soul of a man!
Seeing how easily your breath creates a fog it must be pretty cold where you are. Still, you are in the shop and working to help educate others. Good dedication on that point sir.
I think all you need, an anvil, hammer and files. You can make a chisel to hot cut and cut and sharpen it using the files. Then you can make a punch but hot cut it. It's alot of work to file more than once. Then you can make tongs and then your set
I spent three years at Great Lakes Naval Training Center on Lake Michigan. I never want to be in a place again where I can see my breath. Nowadays I try to never venture any farther north than my driveway. Darlington, South Carolina.
I like your style. Keep it up. You videos are informative, easy to watch and educational. Now go indoors and warm yourself by the fire. Oh......and please publish a freaking book already. I'll need two copies
I'm so glad people are telling you what you deserve, as I have told you a while back and even asked you , if you had been a teacher before . My son was home a dug out the old 3 legged, lever forge I bought years ago and it missing a few parts. The main thing is the draft hole cover plate and the bottom of blower tube. I think it is the clean out plate ? I can see straight through the pan hole /grate cover hole ?
Just a suggestion that helps me when I am trying to reproduce a part/tool, is to make a chalk outline of the tool/part on the work bench. That way you just lay the forged piece on top of the outline and then can see exactly how much more forging is needed. I have seen some black smiths chalk a measurement on the anvil itself, more on the side than the top. Quicker than fumbling for the prototype and holding hot steel.
Yes, I would like to see that starting with nothing creating your own tools and understanding different types of tools you will be creating and purpose! Even down to what to use if you can`t afford an Anvil what would be an Alternative!
It is certainly much less strenuous and easier to visualize. But once you get good at the other method I think the time to make a pair of tongs is similar.
My dad made me make my first pair of tongs using a pair of big channel locks and vice grip....I thought he was being a hard ass but it was a lesson that every smith learns at some point. if something doesn't work as well as it could, to learn how to change it so it does. My knuckles hurt for two weeks after that haha
Brother EX.NAVY VET. I'am disabled now well. not really bad. But I'am looking for something to do. Well I loved welling and got in to it when I was younger and was going to be learning blacksmithing too ( was really looking forward to that , but life never goes how we plan, LOL 😆 😆. Anyway I have come across your video's and I have been watching a lot of them. Really helping me a Lot. Just want to let you know that. And I do have a question , I have a lot of tool's but , do I have the right tool's. Can you tell me if you have done a video tell the right tool's you need to start blacksmithing. And where would be the best place to try and get a Forge and Anvil. I would really appreciateappreciate it. Thank You again.
Another tong method for just starting students is the twisted jaw method. I am sure you know it. That will get the students out the door with a minimal effort on their part but still owning a light duty set of tongs. Well done, again :D
I would have to argue, that an angle grinder is an essential tool for a beginner smith, alongside fire, hammer, and anvil. It is a fast and easy way to cut both solid metal parts, or sheet, with a cut-off wheel. Grinding wheels can remove large amounts of metal quickly, to reshape tool edges, points, etc. Flap discs are less aggressive, and smooth out or polish surfaces, and round over corners. Sanding discs clean up rust or paint, and can sand down wood for handles. Wire wheels also clean and strip surfaces, without really removing material. Diamond blades can cut stone, concrete, firebricks, etc. With the right disc type and grit, the angle grinder is probably the most versatile tool available to us. Best of all, fairly cheap ones can be had for $20-30, that will do well enough to get you started. While they can be dangerous if abused, if treated with respect and used safely, they are a solid alternative to many advanced tools that are out of the price range of most beginners. They are also useful in other adventures around the shop, outside of smithing.
This is about the closest thing ill get to an appenticeship these days... this video helps a ton thank you very much.
right, it's a 2-hour drive to the closest place even teaching forging. so this has been a huge help.
John is a great teacher, best thing is the only interruption you are likely to see is his wife running in with hot cakes and coffee or Johns pants catching fire, neither of which has happened yet!
I fully agree there are no working blacksmiths in my area I live in and these videos are as close as I will get,
thank you very very much, John, for all your work into these videos and you help a lot if starting out blacksmiths like myself.
This has really helped me to learn the trade. Especially the videos on failure. They help me keep going forward and learning. Even pros mess up. Kinda wish he showed his first pair of tongs lol.
@@heathfrench3335 are you sure about that? There's WAY more than your may think all over the country and world for that matter
I have to say sir without disrespect to the other channels that you have to be the best teacher of blacksmithing on TH-cam at this time. I'm getting so much out of your lessons. As a beginning smith you are easy to understand. Thank you
Thank you for the compliment. I guess I never thought of myself as an instructor.
Black Bear Forge- indeed you are! I'm a 54 yr old fabricator/ Welder, making a living at it for 42 yr. Believe it or not. I haven't had formal blacksmithing training or machinist training and that's my next quest to master. I want to die a master metal worker with 100 years of professional experience. What? It can happen, I have good genes!
You're gonna help me get there! I'm learning not only great hammer techniques, but excellent theory. Yeah I'm getting a lot from your hard work. If you ever feel that you are running out of content, a series about building your hydraulic forging press would be wonderful! I have the larger book, but can't find the paperback book anywhere, and boy do I here that is the Bible of hydraulic forging press books.
Thanks again
Brady McPhail so you started "making a living" at 12? Nice work ethic!
You should seriously consider assembling your videos into a course of study for community colleges.
Marc Fournier I completely agree
Your probably the best teacher on TH-cam
Thanks for sharing your wealth of knowledge with us
Thanks again John. I appreciate how most Guys who start out in blacksmithing are budget minded, down to earth, Guys.
I've been interested in smithing for a few months. I never would have expected to be so excited to see metal being struck before, yet here I am. You explain why you do things well, and this was an interesting watch. Thank you so much for this content. I wish you and yours health and happiness.
There's a moment in all smithing vidoes now after 5 or so minutes when that first hammer blow hits the hot metal for the first time and its pretty much the most exciting thing for me right now 😂😂
I know this is an old video, but... As a new learner who just got their full set of equipment but has yet to fire up the forge, your videos have provided a TON of practical knowledge that supplments my reading and these "How to do something from the absolute bare minimum" type videos are enormously helpful. Incredible work thank you.
I really like your modest, non-nonsense wisdom. The experience and knowledge that you share is what is good about the internet. I lke that you encourage practice and thoughfulness.
Several years ago, after reading one book on forging, I built a small forge from fire clay and local sand. Used a hair dryer and charcoal. First tool I made was a pair of tongs. Boy oh boy did you hit the nail on the head when you said that you need tongs to make tongs.
Thank you so much. I lost my dad too early in life. Listening to you reminds me of my dad talking to me...
Mauishuck in Judaism, God created the first pair of tongs right before he rested on the seventh day.
Aidan Mattson Not even sure how to reply... admittedly, I know little to nothing about Judaism. But from my limited looking, it appears as though a man named “Tubal-Cain” was responsible for creating tools like that... (Genesis 4:22). But I’m interested in Jewish history as well. Is that a Talmud thing? Josephus? Or another source? I’m not being snarky, I’m truly interested.
Mauishuck I heard about it from the internet, but it supposedly comes from the Pirkei Avot, an important foundation for Jewish belief.
“Ten things were created on the eve of the Sabbath at twilight, and these are they: [1] the mouth of the earth, [2] the mouth of the well, [3] the mouth of the donkey, [4] the rainbow, [5] the manna, [6] the staff [of Moses], [7] the shamir, [8] the letters, [9] the writing, [10] and the tablets. And some say: also the demons, the grave of Moses, and the ram of Abraham, our father. And some say: and also tongs, made with tongs”
...like they`re saying, what was there first? ... the chicken or the egg?...
I love the depth that he goes through to break everything down for someone who knows nothing (me). This makes it an extremely easy to follow along and actually learn through second hand experience.
I swear people should not sleep on these long TH-cam educational videos.
I just can’t believe how you stretched that metal out like that simply amazing sir !!!!!
I learned more in this ONE video from this man, than I do watching most other smithtubers.
As a mechanic, I already have various hammers.
Recently obtained 18" of railroad track.
One step closer. At 62 it's an "old dog, new tricks" thing.
Thank you for the videos
how is blacksmithing going?
I DID IT!!!! It took me way longer than it took you but I did it. I followed your steps and made tongs. I’m pretty proud of them. I’m sure they’ll need more adjustments as I start using them and they aren’t too pretty but I made them. First project in my single burner Amazon forge. Crappy hammer and a hunk of steel as an anvil. It’s much easier to watch you do this stuff but not as satisfying. Lol. Thanks for helping and inspiring.
this episode was a damned masterclass in drawing out, thank you!
I love these tutorials, sir. You are an excellent teacher. You keep things simple for the beginner without overwhelming with jargon, fancy tools and expensive machines. Thank you!
I’m gathering all the tools and equipment thanks to you ….your advice and guidance…. Super excited!!!!!
Same here.
I know it was 5 years ago but I Loved this. I am 57 on a Disability pension so money is always a problem. I have made the gas forge. Made a sort of anvil / steel . So I now just need some tools . This has helped me hopefully to make some . Thank you so much. Kind regards Andy. Perth Australia.
Glad I was able to help
One day god willing I’ll be able to learn the art of blacksmithing
Best blacksmithing tutorials on line that I've seen yet. Thanks so much, your explanations are so easy to understand and to follow.
You have a heart for beginners. I love that. Y ou are a true Blacksmith. You encourage our lost art. Keep doing what you are doing. You are the ultimate teacher.
Your videos really grab the viewer. If I start one, it's getting watched to the end. You have (in my opinion) the best presentation of any of the blacksmith channels. Not wild squirrel bouncing off the walls or bored to death droning monotone. Just interesting and instructive without superfluous drivel. You have a natural talent for instruction in a clear, concise, no nonsense pleasant fashion. Good stuff.
Thank you. Like most people I hate seeing myself on video. So it's great to know that I come across better than I think I do.
Gee, I wonder who the wild bouncing squirrel might be. >.>
@@DracoWhitefire I wonder who works with Steele and fits that description? I'll take blacksmithing channels for $500 Alex...
I like his channel too if we are talking about the same guy. I watch a lot of different smiths and makers and Black Bear is the best teacher I've found yet. Daniel is good, HOJ I enjoy, County Line, B&B I just found, Christ Centered I've seen, that's all I can think of right now. Any recommendations will be appreciated. I liked Chandler but he quit and Liam I like but he's not producing many videos lately.
Hi there John, I'm a huge fan of your videos. I am from Portugal, and the situation of blacksmithing here is really sad, and this is because, we dont have a big and tied community like you do in the States, and you have shops for blacksmiths, we don't and it's horrible, I hate it, but I love blacksmithing,so i'm gonna pursue it, whatever it takes.
I am glad the internet can at least provide some access to other blacksmiths for you
Only person I test with advice on youtube
My first pair of tongs I had a welding glove, pliers and vice grips! Just as you said! Got the job done, lots of frustration, swearing and burnt fingers later I had something that loosely looked like tongs and worked just as badly. But, they did work well enough to get me through those first steps! Still have them somewhere, if I had to burrow them out I probably could. I wouldn’t throw them into scrap, they have history, but not enough for a place on the wall!
We need to get this great man some kind of gift. He’s making us upstart blacksmiths a tutorial on tong making(our essential tools) in the bitter cold god bless him. Thank you 🙏 kind sir for giving us some of your knowledge
Your work is amazing!! It’s crazy how you can move metal thanks so much for sharing your knowledge 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
I’m 50 my kids are all out on their on now and have more time to myself so decided I’d love to do basic blacksmithing. Absolutely love your videos and you make things so easy to follow!
enjoy the journey, its great fun
I can only add positive comments to your videos. I am not through every single one you've put out yet, but to date, these are the most enjoyable videos I watch. I usually am catching them during down time at work and sure makes a slow day go by easily. A real inspiration to finally getting my own hobby forge up and running. I hope you take on apprentice smiths, they would succeed well under your tutelage.
I thank you, I really do appreciate the kind words.
Yeah, I love how everything is simple, and that he explains all the options, including that buying tools is ok. As a beginner myself, its nice to know that I'm not alone in trying to find other tools like pliers and grips to use.
here after trying miserably to use channel locks and lineman's pliers as blacksmiths tongs. Great video, very useful information.
I watch this and I'm learning so much. I've never made tongs, and this video is making me more confident about it all. Thanks John☺️
All I can say is THANK YOU SO MUCH for sharing your knowledge. You are without a doubt a true craftsman.
Thank you, thank you, thank you. I honestly respect you and your talent.
I just finished my first pair of tongs using your video’s as an example, thank you very much.
I am glad it helped
I picked up the material this morning and following along with you, I got as far as rounding the ends of the reins on both pieces. I am stocked that I could get this far. I am still using an old pipe as an anvil and a ball-peen hammer intended for auto mechanic work. Thank you for showing me this skill. I am grateful.
This is one of the videos that really make people follow you. Because you are a great teacher. And with this video you show and inspire how things can be done without all the fancy tools. To me that's blacksmithing. I understand making money. You need To be more efficient with more fancy tools. Blacksmithing is basic. And your videos you tell how it can be done both ways. And that's great and what makes you a great teacher. I hope to one day get to meet and work with you. Thanks. And keep up the great work.
This video is my 4th most watched video of all time. Thanks
This may be a dumb? But. I'm going to ask anyway. What do you make your rivets out of. Is just going and getting 1/4 inch round stock. Or what ever size you need. In round stock. Mild steel. Thanks.
If you need an exact size, cold roll is exact, but for punched holes whatever low carbon steel you have that fits should be fine. You can also buy soft steel rivets
I frequently just buy premade soft steel rivets But cold roll mild steel works very well to make your own
@@BlackBearForge thank you. I ask because I would just like to do it all. And just want to learn. Thank again
I’m thinking of getting a pair of wolf jaw tongs to start with as they seem to be the most versatile single pair of tongs out there. But this is going to make life cheaper and easier later!
Got into it as a hobby second thing I learned was making tongs. Used a pare of channellocks to start. Ended up making 10 or 12 sets of tongs. Had plenty of scrap metal and got to like making them. Watched a video where the blacksmith used flat bar and it was quick and easy
Thanks for motivating me to try and make my tongs again. I don't know how many times I have failed but this inspired me to take my old failed attempts and try them again!
Practice helps. Finding a smith in your area that can help coach would also help
As also beginning I went to the Quad State Roundup ,a big black Smith gathering not having much free $$ I found some cheap tongs well made but broken.Well sir I took five pairs home for five$$$ and divided each kept the good side and now copy 2 of the best side and as a 3D model the two making for a nice set adding a rivit
Hopefully it helps
I'd love to to type out a novel for all the reasons I enjoy watching your channel, but I won't. Suffice to say, you create the most relative, concise and realistically informative media on the subject I've been able to find for free online. What's better is you present it in a way that is clearly speaking from both experience and knowledge. You're not just reproducing what you've seen other people do on TH-cam. It's extremely helpful to those of us who have only been smithing for a year or two. Anyway, to keep it short, I greatly appreciate your channel and you. I watch one of your videos at least once a day. Thank you. You've directly helped me to be a better smith in only a few short months. Please, keep the videos coming.
Oh stop, you're making me blush ;). Thank you I am pleased that people like the videos and are finding them helpful as they travel their own journey into blacksmithing.
Really enjoyed that tutorial! Did my first pair of tongs today! Really great introduction!
I love your videos sir, some other people are hard to understand what they're doing when they talk about it but your directions are easy to understand because they are simple and straight to the point thank you for that
Thank you Mr. Swisher after watching your beginner tong making video I was finally successful at making my first pair they don't look like a pair black bear made but they look ok and are functional again TU again an look forward to many more videos
Thank you! That is so encouraging for newbies that want to jump into blacksmithing but don't know where to start and are on a budget.
I watched this video maybe a year ago and I never did finish them. I look at them everyday and think I’m ready to start over. Thanks for all your videos.
I have been thinking about getting into blacksmithing for years - this is such an inspiring video! Thank you, sir!
Thanks for posting this. I just used this tutorial and built my first pair of tongs. I learned a ton. Thank you again for your hard work!
I am glad the video helped.
Flat out one of the best concepts for a blacksmith channel. The only others with a similar concept of teaching in detail I have found are Big dog forge, Roy of Christ centered..., Joey Vandersteeg, and Dennis of DF in the shop. I like your idea of starting out at the beginning and developing the basics one step at a time. I and many others will be attemping to follow along and make these tools and tongs. Keep up the mentoring.
Thanks, i will try to find enough subject matter to keep beginning and intermediate smiths in new ideas. But as we go along I will also try to introduce more advanced projects.
Dennis of "DF in the shop" is awesome! Mark Aspery and Brian Brazeal also come to mind.
Jeremiah Huson those are indeed two very good smiths with well done videos.
You certainly get my subscription as you are no slouch yourself.
I just finished a set of tongs using your instruction. They work great and they are my first successful set. Thank you!
I am so glad the video helped you out.
I made this pair of tongs today. I started smithing just a few months ago. And I’ve been using channel locks and vise grips and have failed at every pair of tongs I’ve tried to make. The Brian Brazeal tongs and so forth. I made your pattern tongs today and I love them! Thank you for your videos and all you do. Love your vids and the way you teach! Keep em coming please.
Great to hear. I am glad the video helped out.
Thank you for sharing. Great work. Great info on how to draw metal out.
My main trade is an electrician therefore I own many sizes of channel locks. They worked great for making the tools I needed to make my first pair of tongs. Just make sure they don't get over heated like any other tool you use for black smithing
ah!!! I wondered how you make tongs without tongs!!! Thanks John!
This is the 2nd video of yours that I've watched and I had to subscribe. I'm starting completely from scratch but I'm trying to get started making knives in my garage and so far your videos have been very helpful. I've been a welder for about 25 years but I've never forged anything. I'll definitely be referencing your videos throughout the process. Keep up the great work!!!
Welcome to the family, I am glad you're enjoying the videos
Once again i really appreciate you taking the time to make these videos. Most masters dont take the time to teach the little guys. No matter if a person is a master or a novice. the way you explain things in detail and different options there is always somthing to be learned. Thank you again keep up the great work.
cheers from germany...getting into the craft, and your vids help alot.
4:40 A video on what tools to make first would be tremendously helpful. I'm taking a class soon and then I'm going to build a forge. I have a couple friends that work in metal shops that I'm hoping can get me some piece of scrap metal suitable for an anvil-like object.
I to just started a few days Used angle cut wheel ,cutoff hardy ,2# hammer,forage shovel, round pointed punch.notepad ruler help me and making tongs and chisels first Hope this helps
I'm still using the tongs I made out of 3/8" rebar. They are for light duty to be sure, but they got me started. I look forward to making a version like this.
So far ive made some tongs from 1/2" rebar by 24". Only needed gloves to make them. They suck for sure but hey I had fun making them and they hold stuff for the most part lol.
... I`m new to this. Many thanks to you Mr. Bear....Excellent vid.... absolutely...
When working marks with a chisel, I use my shop vice to hold them on edge. Keeps it from falling over and flopping around!
I didn't have a hardy (just have a block of steel for an anvil) so I drilled a hole in a stump that fit the end of my cold chisel and used it a bit like a hardy tool. It's got terrible rebound so you have to hit it like heck, but it works.
Yet another fantastic video! This is so helpful and I can't thank you enough!
It was great , how you set up your metal for making those tongs ! Thank you ! Learning more every Day !
im getting the blacksmith bug thank you for making these videos
Your performance is by no means pissy, in fact its probably the best on TH-cam that I've seen so far. Im just posting this for the people who need to see it.
7 P's
Proper
Prior
Planing
Prevents
Piss
Poor
Performance
Thank you for making this series! Very helpful sir.
Thank you so much for this knowledge sir
19:15 The chain around the anvil? I have childhood memories of holding my ears as Dad belted the crap out of something on the anvil and yet you just talk over it.
Is that chain a muffler?
That anvil is identical to ours decades ago.
I like everything about the video, with the exception of the design reins of the tongs. It seems they would easily cause blood blisters on your hand when used.
Thanks your videos are extremely informative
Just discovered you channel. I would love to series of starting a shop and building the tools as you go. Thanks for sharing this.
A great video as always..... thanks. Using 1" X 1/4" flat bar seems to be the right material to make tongs. On a side note I spend much of my non shop time watching you and Roy Adams on youtube. I really like the format of you and Roy use, it is easy to follow along and duplicate. I started what I call playing around with the forge and anvil at the end of nov 2017, really like process of forging projects. Thanks for another great video.
I am glad you like the videos. I watch most of Roys videos as well.
Another great video. The great detail in your explanation and the different methods shown make it a very good instruction from which I really can learn the craft, thank you! BTW my name used to be My (or 'my phone') I'm the Dutch firefighter and I changed my avatar so it now shows ;).
You mentioned something about “we should do a series with just forge, hammer, and anvil and make our own tools”. Please do. I’m brand new to this (my forge hasn’t even come in yet) and I’m super lost on where to start. This would be incredibly helpful
A great video John not many videos about showing the entire process of hand forging the reins ? Thanks for taking the time todo it
See that's what I like about you, you always keep the poor and simple man or woman in mind with your videos never change to fit TH-cam as TH-cam ain't the soul of a man!
I dont even have an anvil, but my home forge is mainly a foundry, so hopefully I can make myself a pretty cool homemade anvil
I started with sledge hammer heads mounted in a log. Even without you, you can start and use a log as your anvil.
Great video, think i need some bar stock and make some tongs as well overdue for a melt
Seeing how easily your breath creates a fog it must be pretty cold where you are. Still, you are in the shop and working to help educate others. Good dedication on that point sir.
Around here its hard to justify taking the day off just because its cold. Although I do have my limits
I think all you need, an anvil, hammer and files. You can make a chisel to hot cut and cut and sharpen it using the files. Then you can make a punch but hot cut it. It's alot of work to file more than once. Then you can make tongs and then your set
I spent three years at Great Lakes Naval Training Center on Lake Michigan. I never want to be in a place again where I can see my breath. Nowadays I try to never venture any farther north than my driveway. Darlington, South Carolina.
Perfect thanks, gonna buy the stock tomorrow :) your really preaching well to my desired forging needs
I'm glad the videos are helping out.
Nicely done!
Looking forward to part 2!
Thanks for the video..
I like your style. Keep it up. You videos are informative, easy to watch and educational. Now go indoors and warm yourself by the fire.
Oh......and please publish a freaking book already. I'll need two copies
a book sounds like it would be real work.
If you say "tongs" one more time.... LOL
Thanks for teaching Sir, I listen and watch every thing that you do.
I'm so glad people are telling you what you deserve, as I have told you a while back and even asked you , if you had been a teacher before .
My son was home a dug out the old 3 legged, lever forge I bought years ago and it missing a few parts. The main thing is the draft hole cover plate and the bottom of blower tube. I think it is the clean out plate ? I can see straight through the pan hole /grate cover hole ?
PS: I had him take some pictures of the forge, so I could email them , if I need to at some point for I.D.ing the forge and getting parts.
Just a suggestion that helps me when I am trying to reproduce a part/tool, is to make a chalk outline of the tool/part on the work bench. That way you just lay the forged piece on top of the outline and then can see exactly how much more forging is needed.
I have seen some black smiths chalk a measurement on the anvil itself, more on the side than the top. Quicker than fumbling for the prototype and holding hot steel.
Yes, I would like to see that starting with nothing creating your own tools and understanding different types of tools you will be creating and purpose! Even down to what to use if you can`t afford an Anvil what would be an Alternative!
I carry slip join pliers on my daily, so luckily I had improvised tongs to use to make some actual ones on my ASO.
Thanks for sharing.
Thank you very much for your video. I´ll be expecting with great interest the second part. I enjoy all your videos, they are very useful and clear.
I will try to get part 2 uploaded today.
looking forward to trying this method. It looks much easier than the left left left method.
It is certainly much less strenuous and easier to visualize. But once you get good at the other method I think the time to make a pair of tongs is similar.
1:52-1:53 pure magic!
Totally gonna try this, sick video
My dad made me make my first pair of tongs using a pair of big channel locks and vice grip....I thought he was being a hard ass but it was a lesson that every smith learns at some point. if something doesn't work as well as it could, to learn how to change it so it does. My knuckles hurt for two weeks after that haha
Brother EX.NAVY VET. I'am disabled now well. not really bad. But I'am looking for something to do. Well I loved welling and got in to it when I was younger and was going to be learning blacksmithing too ( was really looking forward to that , but life never goes how we plan, LOL 😆 😆. Anyway I have come across your video's and I have been watching a lot of them. Really helping me a Lot. Just want to let you know that. And I do have a question , I have a lot of tool's but , do I have the right tool's. Can you tell me if you have done a video tell the right tool's you need to start blacksmithing. And where would be the best place to try and get a Forge and Anvil. I would really appreciateappreciate it. Thank You again.
Another tong method for just starting students is the twisted jaw method. I am sure you know it. That will get the students out the door with a minimal effort on their part but still owning a light duty set of tongs.
Well done, again :D
I have a video on that as well
Vise grips. I really don't like em but they work in a pinch.
I would have to argue, that an angle grinder is an essential tool for a beginner smith, alongside fire, hammer, and anvil. It is a fast and easy way to cut both solid metal parts, or sheet, with a cut-off wheel. Grinding wheels can remove large amounts of metal quickly, to reshape tool edges, points, etc. Flap discs are less aggressive, and smooth out or polish surfaces, and round over corners. Sanding discs clean up rust or paint, and can sand down wood for handles. Wire wheels also clean and strip surfaces, without really removing material. Diamond blades can cut stone, concrete, firebricks, etc. With the right disc type and grit, the angle grinder is probably the most versatile tool available to us. Best of all, fairly cheap ones can be had for $20-30, that will do well enough to get you started. While they can be dangerous if abused, if treated with respect and used safely, they are a solid alternative to many advanced tools that are out of the price range of most beginners. They are also useful in other adventures around the shop, outside of smithing.
Thank you for this video
I finished my first pair ....now for my next pair