Thank you for taking the time to teach all of us hobbyists that are new to the trade. As a mechanic I know how important the right tools are to doing good work. I just hope I can replicate something that even comes close to what you've shown us so I can improve my skills and stop dropping the dang hot stuff at my feet. LOL
As a bladesmith, I need to learn how to make my own tongs. I've been purchasing them thus far. Your video now shows what I need to do. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you Dan, for all you share and teach. My tong skills have increased a lot since watching your techniques. I can’t produce your quality but I’m much better because of your instructions. Thanks again
Yeah I made a set of hammer pickup tongs 3-4 weeks ago, based on Dan's tongs that you see in this video (the big pincer/crucible looking ones). Ended up with that problem with the jaws not opening because of that tiny web at the setdown. Haven't drilled the rivet out yet to fix them, not in a huge rush to start hammer making yet! Someday soon :p I now watch out for that problem though!
I really love the tong show keep up the good work I go to try making a pair I have trouble keeping the steps in me head on the anvil lol love your channel.
The world of making is a better place with you in it. Your down to earth demeanor and solid explanations are a huge help. I'd love you to do a how to on making Fuller's by hand. I'm looking to make a Roman pugio and for the life of me I cannot figure out how to get the fullers and spine (rib).
I appreciate all your work as you teach. I'm new to the craft and tongs will be my frist project. Your lessons in tong making are the best on TH-cam. Thanks for the dedication and the time you take to teach, it makes a difference.
Thank you so much! This really gets into the " sausage making " of tongs. Excellent job! Patiently waiting for the next one. I plan to rewind this one over and over.
Dan, looking forward to the series. I'm new to forging, boot-strapping my tooling, and tong-making has definitely been an uphill struggle. I've started probably 8 pairs, finished 4 pairs, and only 2 were useful.... as useful as flat nib tongs are, that is. It seems that getting the rivet bosses flat and parallel is one of the biggest challenges for me to get a smooth-working, tight set of tongs. Thanks for taking this topic on in more depth than the typical video. I really like knowing how... but why is so much more important, IMHO.
Dan keep up the great work and teaching of the craft of blacksmithing great videos and teaching methods of the craft forge on my friend love the videos and learning this beautiful craft thanks so much
Great video Dan! I really like the full in depth explanation of how to forge proper tongs. I'm going to give some of your ideas a try to improve my tong making.
Best thing making video I have seen. So detailed and you explain everything you're doing and how you should hold the material. And thank you for including both metric and imperial measurements. I'm trying to learn metric so I can more easily convert things, so that was helpful as well.
Congratulations to the winners!!👏👏👏 You rock dude. Very nice video, I can't wait until the next one. I need to make me a set of blade tongs. Speaking of boss, she says Hi 🤟🍻
Daniel, thank you very much for your teaching videos , I’m trying to get the basic on the tong making however I’m struggling and might just buy one .so going to check out your items
I love this video Dan, I easily forget things so revision helps each time I make tongs. Today I am making "axe head tongs," those with a 90 degree bend on the nibs to fit inside the axe or hammer eye. I am using 20mm x20mm mild steel stock. I was going to try forge welding on the reins but decided to draw them out as I need to loose weight anyway. So here hoping I was paying attention to you and I will end up with my final hand made tool to let me make my new axe. (drifted eye from truck leaf spring 5150, I hope).
great video. I've been on a tong making kick and have run in to many of the issues talked about in this video. Super helpful info. I've been hesitant to try box jaw tongs.. looking forward to the next one. Well done
Hi Dan really good video I'm having a bit of trouble with cold shuts in my step downs any advice to avoid this would be really appreciated I'm using 20mm round and 24mm round stock mild steel
Oh! The other thing I have available is a road scraper blade, - unknown steel, about 1/2 inch thick, that I can cut with a grinder. Out of laziness, I have not touched it yet. I was thinking that would be better for hammer and axe drifts. If I should chop a hunk off for tong blanks... I will at your urging, sensei! lol not looking forward to that in high summer sunshine.
@@danielmoss2089 I appreciate your answer. Not crap, to me. I am older...there is only so much time left! Best apply it judiciously. Thank You Dan, especially for letting me ask so many questions.
That was good Dan I was hoping you'd show the offset for the reigns and you do a video showing that please. Some of the tongs you showed had them. Thanks mate.
Dan, Thank you for helping me along my development as a blacksmith. I took notes! What I have available is stainless steel round stock - 1/2" by 12" and some 1080 bar stock, 1 1/4" by 1/4" by 12 - I am not sure which to pick to start. I guess I will try doing this in both? which one is ... better?...for a beginner. Or - is there one to AVOID? thanks!
I would go for the 1080 as it won't mess you about like the stainless but neither is great. I would like to invest in a 5/8 or 3/4 mild or low/mid carbon steel.
Go buy some mild steel, I struggled with tongs for years not letting the crap reinforcing rod I had heaps of beat me. I finally got to forge them from mild steel and found it just fell into place! Go buy mild steel!
@@danielmoss2089 Got a 3' bar of 5/8 steel today. It is long enough for me to heat and hold with a glove while working. I will practice this tong exercise and make a diamond shape nib end to hold round or square stock...and maybe get on to work holding! Frustrating as a new smith, to not be able to get going. I thought I had everything sorted. In woodturning you need the right jaws for the right job. Blacksmithing is the same. Workholding is critical to the final outcome quality. Thank you everyone for the advice!.
@@danielmoss2089 I have watched this vid 5 times now, practicing. One side looks better than the other. What takes you one heat takes me 3. I have used half a bottle of propane and I still am not done...but I am working iron! Thank you Internet Sensei, I also Like the epic tongs vid. Dan, you have a great library out there.
What do you coat and lubricate your tongs with? Also your hammers with. Linseed oil or or a varnish. I paint my handles so I can identify them when working in groups. Proud of my tong and I like to keep them looking and working nice.
Nice! Have been shown similar how to. But.. when you go to make them yourself. Feel the biggest hurtle is comprehending how to forge them vs how they are to move together. Only stock I had the other day was O1 they came out... eh, ok. But we all know tool steel just loves to quench crack, so .. they shattered & one rain fell right off. Then forged another out of mild then got turned around and forged the nib backwards (doh) oh well. Someday I'll get it sorted out. I'd rather be making steel than tongs. You are 100% the right tongs is a must. Love Big Blu tongs > made from S7 Riley Kirkpatrick is making some outstanding tongs.. but I do not like the pronounced boss rain pointed area. I'm working towards making a natural gas forge to 3000°F so my tongs need to be able to be quenched hot!?
Nice one, Dan. I'm planning on making several tong blanks as some of my very first blacksmithing projects. I'll be using the measurements I see you use in your various tong videos, but I was wondering if blacksmiths use any rule of thumb when deciding amounts of material needed especially for projects they have never done before? For example estimating length of starting stock for nibs, boss, etc? It's a volume thing I'm thinking, but what do I know, eh? Thanks for all your work on the videos. They are a great help to me.
Almost every old pair of tongs I've found have welded handles on to them except for really old ones. The smitty just forged the mouth piece and the hinge part and welded stock material on to them. Another problem with tongs is the handles, are they to thick they get stiff and can hurt your arms and especially your thumb holding the tong. Seen many old blacksmiths with pain in that area of the hand. If the handle is to flexible they won't hold the material securely.
I know you call these videos ruff and ready but the quality here is definitely not ruff. These videos are fantastic and this one in particular was full of a ton of solid information!
Dan, I went to your ETSY shop and it says you are currently NOT selling there! I want to get a few tongs from you! Probably one at a time since I'm old, disabled and on Social Security here, in the USA! WHERE do I go to find tongs from you?
Omg! I just realised your subscribe button photo is from Roger Lund's shop, no mistaking that huge orange power hammer :-) Did you apprentice or just visit?
Is A36 mild steel?? What is mild steel called? All steel on the websites are number or number and letters but none say mild steel. I am new and not sure what to buy
Daniel Moss Channel = Prime Tuition No Nonsense Propagating vanishing craftsmanship that is wise to keep a live.
Thanks for your contribution .
Thank you your too kind.
Not really just acknowledging the truth of your honest commitment
Nice help for Tongs. Congrats to the winners.
I think this was the best tong-making lesson I've ever seen. Every step was clinical. Looking forward to the next one
I've watched a million tong videos and still learned new things from this one. Spot on Dan! Excellent. More tong videos please
Thank you for taking the time to teach all of us hobbyists that are new to the trade. As a mechanic I know how important the right tools are to doing good work. I just hope I can replicate something that even comes close to what you've shown us so I can improve my skills and stop dropping the dang hot stuff at my feet. LOL
As a bladesmith, I need to learn how to make my own tongs. I've been purchasing them thus far. Your video now shows what I need to do. Thank you for sharing.
Always enjoy your videos and learn something new Dan! Thanks and God Bless you sir!
I can't understand the reason for not having ten times more subscribers. You are doing very good job! Keep on my friend! Cheer from Greece
Thank you Dan, for all you share and teach. My tong skills have increased a lot since watching your techniques. I can’t produce your quality but I’m much better because of your instructions. Thanks again
Realy good instruction Dan especialy around issues with kicking back/upsetting that boss area, congradulations to the winners
Yeah I made a set of hammer pickup tongs 3-4 weeks ago, based on Dan's tongs that you see in this video (the big pincer/crucible looking ones). Ended up with that problem with the jaws not opening because of that tiny web at the setdown. Haven't drilled the rivet out yet to fix them, not in a huge rush to start hammer making yet! Someday soon :p I now watch out for that problem though!
I really love the tong show keep up the good work I go to try making a pair I have trouble keeping the steps in me head on the anvil lol love your channel.
Looking for tilting instructions.
congrats to the Winners, making it look easy as always Dan.
The world of making is a better place with you in it. Your down to earth demeanor and solid explanations are a huge help. I'd love you to do a how to on making Fuller's by hand. I'm looking to make a Roman pugio and for the life of me I cannot figure out how to get the fullers and spine (rib).
Excellent video Dan always love the rough cut videos and your tong. Videos
ive bought a bunch of 25mm rebar from tbe dump before i went into lockdown. im going to be spending the next week making loads of tongs!
Great instruction. Really like the common mistakes you mention, keep them coming!
Great video Dan. Thank you.
Congrats to all the winners. Yall are getting great stuff
🙏 Well wishes Sir and Blessed days now
Crawford out ⚒️🧙♂️
I appreciate all your work as you teach. I'm new to the craft and tongs will be my frist project. Your lessons in tong making are the best on TH-cam. Thanks for the dedication and the time you take to teach, it makes a difference.
Great teaching. I look forward to the next tong video
Thanks for all the tips, great video showing us what not to do and do.
Thank you so much! This really gets into the " sausage making " of tongs. Excellent job! Patiently waiting for the next one. I plan to rewind this one over and over.
Just started learning how to make tongs in the Holme Lacy campus. Had some usefull tips from this video, THANKS!!!
Very informative Dan. Look forward to part 2.
Like the in depth detail. Keep up the good work!
The is very good! You explain the why behind the how.. Thank you
I've only made tongs from purchased tong blanks. This has me motivated to make some from scratch. Excellent instruction. Thanks.
Dan, looking forward to the series. I'm new to forging, boot-strapping my tooling, and tong-making has definitely been an uphill struggle. I've started probably 8 pairs, finished 4 pairs, and only 2 were useful.... as useful as flat nib tongs are, that is.
It seems that getting the rivet bosses flat and parallel is one of the biggest challenges for me to get a smooth-working, tight set of tongs.
Thanks for taking this topic on in more depth than the typical video. I really like knowing how... but why is so much more important, IMHO.
Same - the struggle is real.
As always great video. And congrats to the lucky winners
Dan keep up the great work and teaching of the craft of blacksmithing great videos and teaching methods of the craft forge on my friend love the videos and learning this beautiful craft thanks so much
Great video. Grats to all winners
This is an excellent video! Thanks Dan, you did a great job explaining small details that effect the overall build.
Thank you for a great tong video. I learned a lot.
Great video Dan! I really like the full in depth explanation of how to forge proper tongs. I'm going to give some of your ideas a try to improve my tong making.
Congratulations to the winner! and thank you Dan, very good video! take care 👍
Awesome video Dan👍👍👍👍👍✌
Super great instruction on the tongs, I really appreciate it. New sub.
Really enjoying this tutorial and looking forward to more tong tips. keep up the great work!
Couldn't tell you exactly why, but I do so enjoy your explanations!
Great video, Dan!
Great vid looking forward to the next one
Thanks for the bit of info about upsetting the nibs back into the boss. Ive had so many headaches in this area on the few sets that ive made.
Best thing making video I have seen. So detailed and you explain everything you're doing and how you should hold the material. And thank you for including both metric and imperial measurements. I'm trying to learn metric so I can more easily convert things, so that was helpful as well.
Congratulations to the winners!!👏👏👏 You rock dude. Very nice video, I can't wait until the next one. I need to make me a set of blade tongs. Speaking of boss, she says Hi 🤟🍻
Mein Kompliment...du bist ein sehr informativer Lehrer
Thanks Dan I have been struggling with making tongs but now look forward to trying your methods.
Great timing bud, I will be making a set of pick up tongs soon.
Wow. Excellent tutorial. I sent it to 2 new blacksmiths.
Great video Dan. I am horrible at tongs. This makes me want to do a better job and give it a new try.
Always learn of your nice made videos...thanks
Great instructions Dan! I need to try this soon although its kinda hard to get good sized stock here. Cheers man!
Excellent. Thanks for posting.
Very good instruction! Thank you.
Enjoyed! I need to practice making tongs.
thanks for the vids. they're really helpful and helps us amateur blacksmiths get a better it by bit!
You are great , thanks for the tutorial
Loved the vid mate. The only problem is I need tongs but to make the tongs I need tongs to hold the stock😁😁😁😁😁
Thanks Dan, I've made 2sets from 1/2" , 12mm stock and was a bit disappointed in the hinge 👍😎 next set 20mm cheers 🍻
Looking forward to the next video on tongs, been needing to make some box jaw tongs for sure.
I also suffer from tiny brain syndrome. As always your videos are great, very informative. And just a pleasure to watch!
Daniel, thank you very much for your teaching videos , I’m trying to get the basic on the tong making however I’m struggling and might just buy one .so going to check out your items
Great instructional video, helped a lot!
Really like your videos sir nice job!!!
Great video, thank you for the info!
This is very educational !
Excellent !!!!
I love this video Dan, I easily forget things so revision helps each time I make tongs. Today I am making "axe head tongs," those with a 90 degree bend on the nibs to fit inside the axe or hammer eye. I am using 20mm x20mm mild steel stock. I was going to try forge welding on the reins but decided to draw them out as I need to loose weight anyway. So here hoping I was paying attention to you and I will end up with my final hand made tool to let me make my new axe. (drifted eye from truck leaf spring 5150, I hope).
great video. I've been on a tong making kick and have run in to many of the issues talked about in this video. Super helpful info. I've been hesitant to try box jaw tongs.. looking forward to the next one. Well done
Great vid i so struggle with tongs , apparently I'm lazy lol please show the bolt jaw tongs
Great instruction Dan!
Hi Dan really good video I'm having a bit of trouble with cold shuts in my step downs any advice to avoid this would be really appreciated I'm using 20mm round and 24mm round stock mild steel
Oh! The other thing I have available is a road scraper blade, - unknown steel, about 1/2 inch thick, that I can cut with a grinder. Out of laziness, I have not touched it yet. I was thinking that would be better for hammer and axe drifts. If I should chop a hunk off for tong blanks... I will at your urging, sensei! lol not looking forward to that in high summer sunshine.
It sounds like a pain If you ain't got a power hammer or something. Maybe try some pre formed steel.
Sorry if that was a crap answer. If your starting out it's honestly best to get some mild steel and have a play.
@@danielmoss2089 I appreciate your answer. Not crap, to me. I am older...there is only so much time left! Best apply it judiciously. Thank You Dan, especially for letting me ask so many questions.
That was good Dan I was hoping you'd show the offset for the reigns and you do a video showing that please. Some of the tongs you showed had them. Thanks mate.
In part 2 I think.
Very good video.
So wow. Me and the blacksmith im learning from tried this tutorial out... man , I won't lie mine are rough....if only I could add a pic
Keep at it dude you will get there.
Delighted!!! Thank you Dan. btw way its Ronan must have missed the N :D
Congratulations I'll be in touch for a shipping address
Dan, Thank you for helping me along my development as a blacksmith. I took notes!
What I have available is stainless steel round stock - 1/2" by 12"
and some 1080 bar stock, 1 1/4" by 1/4" by 12 - I am not sure which to pick to start.
I guess I will try doing this in both? which one is ... better?...for a beginner. Or - is there one to AVOID? thanks!
I would go for the 1080 as it won't mess you about like the stainless but neither is great. I would like to invest in a 5/8 or 3/4 mild or low/mid carbon steel.
Go buy some mild steel, I struggled with tongs for years not letting the crap reinforcing rod I had heaps of beat me. I finally got to forge them from mild steel and found it just fell into place! Go buy mild steel!
@@paulorchard7960 Thank you, shall do!
@@danielmoss2089 Got a 3' bar of 5/8 steel today. It is long enough for me to heat and hold with a glove while working. I will practice this tong exercise and make a diamond shape nib end to hold round or square stock...and maybe get on to work holding! Frustrating as a new smith, to not be able to get going. I thought I had everything sorted.
In woodturning you need the right jaws for the right job. Blacksmithing is the same. Workholding is critical to the final outcome quality.
Thank you everyone for the advice!.
@@danielmoss2089 I have watched this vid 5 times now, practicing. One side looks better than the other. What takes you one heat takes me 3. I have used half a bottle of propane and I still am not done...but I am working iron! Thank you Internet Sensei, I also Like the epic tongs vid. Dan, you have a great library out there.
What do you coat and lubricate your tongs with? Also your hammers with. Linseed oil or or a varnish. I paint my handles so I can identify them when working in groups. Proud of my tong and I like to keep them looking and working nice.
Linseed is cool but I uses bees wax mixed with turpentine. I should also paint the handles.
Great video! As always, #neverwin. Congratulations to the winners
Sorry next time lol
Nice! Have been shown similar how to. But.. when you go to make them yourself. Feel the biggest hurtle is comprehending how to forge them vs how they are to move together. Only stock I had the other day was O1 they came out... eh, ok. But we all know tool steel just loves to quench crack, so .. they shattered & one rain fell right off. Then forged another out of mild then got turned around and forged the nib backwards (doh) oh well. Someday I'll get it sorted out.
I'd rather be making steel than tongs. You are 100% the right tongs is a must.
Love Big Blu tongs > made from S7
Riley Kirkpatrick is making some outstanding tongs.. but I do not like the pronounced boss rain pointed area.
I'm working towards making a natural gas forge to 3000°F so my tongs need to be able to be quenched hot!?
Hi Mr moose is there an way of making an rounded end tongs like spring type with my type of setup?
I can send yah a few photos of my bodge it and hope forge lol.
Dan need your oppion on an idea about forging garden ornaments?
Email me
@@danielmoss2089 ok
Is there a season you not draw out Material in the corner of the anvil ?
Not sure what you mean sorry.
@@danielmoss2089 i meant is there a reason you don't draw out Stock like alec steele on the edge of the anvil but instead on the horn of the anvil
When you were working on the horn, the anvil was rocking on the stand. would it be better if the anvil didn't move from the blow of the hammer?
Yeah it's started to move recently I need to re bolt her down was going to do it in a video.
Also yes much better lol
Time to build a big anvil buddy.
this helps me a lot
What should I lubricate/grease/oil the joint with?
Nice one, Dan. I'm planning on making several tong blanks as some of my very first blacksmithing projects. I'll be using the measurements I see you use in your various tong videos, but I was wondering if blacksmiths use any rule of thumb when deciding amounts of material needed especially for projects they have never done before? For example estimating length of starting stock for nibs, boss, etc? It's a volume thing I'm thinking, but what do I know, eh? Thanks for all your work on the videos. They are a great help to me.
Yeah I know a couple of rule I'll share in a video. Good idea.
Almost every old pair of tongs I've found have welded handles on to them except for really old ones. The smitty just forged the mouth piece and the hinge part and welded stock material on to them. Another problem with tongs is the handles, are they to thick they get stiff and can hurt your arms and especially your thumb holding the tong. Seen many old blacksmiths with pain in that area of the hand. If the handle is to flexible they won't hold the material securely.
Can you show us the trick to shaping the reigns so that they hang neatly on the rack without spreading like a gymnast?
I know you call these videos ruff and ready but the quality here is definitely not ruff. These videos are fantastic and this one in particular was full of a ton of solid information!
Yeah but of work went in to this one lol
Excellent. Thanks Dan. Though it’s hard to hear you when you’re wacking the steel. I think you need a mic to get past that
brilliant!
BTW, stopped by Subway today to get a sandwich after the video below, ran into your twin, almost asked how you got to the states!!! LOL
Dan, I went to your ETSY shop and it says you are currently NOT selling there!
I want to get a few tongs from you! Probably one at a time since I'm old, disabled and on Social Security here, in the USA! WHERE do I go to find tongs from you?
Send me an email Kim trustmeimablacksmith@gmail.com
oh my wow... Tongs!
Omg! I just realised your subscribe button photo is from Roger Lund's shop, no mistaking that huge orange power hammer :-) Did you apprentice or just visit?
Sure is
Love Roger
fun channel, liked and subscribed
Is A36 mild steel?? What is mild steel called? All steel on the websites are number or number and letters but none say mild steel. I am new and not sure what to buy
I've never heard mild called a36. Where are you based?
@@danielmoss2089 in america it seems to be similar to 1018 sorry I was working late a few days was to tire for Getting on.
3 setdowns, 3 times left helps a lot
Depends on what hand you Forge with. OK if your right handed but if your left handed its 3 times right.
Thank you. ... it's starting to sink in on how to make them . In stead of buying them from Dave Cluster...lol
the easiest and in my opinion most pleasing style of tongs are probably the japanese ones.
might be worth a look...at the blurry pictures and videos.
How do I purchase items with you . I don’t have pay pal.