[TheForge] fireplace Log tongs?

[Bob Ehrenberger]

There is a reason I have resisted making fireplace tongs all these years. 
Just so many options, and they all have trade offs. I have only made one 
pair before and they didn't have a hing, they were one piece with a coil 
spring (like a safety pin) at the connecting point. The customer liked them, 
but they didn't have any leverage to help hold.  I kind of like the idea of 
the fixed handle pair, I invision the device that old ladies use to get 
boxes off of high shelves. I have used double hinged tongs and they seemed 
pretty unstable to me.

Robert Ehrenberger
Shelbyville, Mo.
eforge at centurytel.net

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jerry Frost" <akfrosty at mtaonline.net>
To: "Bob Ehrenberger" <eforge at centurytel.net>; "Blacksmithing List Sponsored 
by ABANA" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Tuesday, October 19, 2010 7:33 PM
Subject: Re: [TheForge] Log tongs?


Bob:
You'll run into the same problem you do with forge tongs and off size stock.
If the log is large across you find the handles too far apart to get a
comfortable grip. The ones made like a scissor lift with a second hinge
point are easier to hold onto but they get shorter as they open wider. A
nother is to make the handles different length. The fixed handle is long
with an easy to hold end and another spot to hold onto while the far end has
the log tong point. The mobile handle is shorter with a lot point on one end
matching the fixed handle, there is a hand grip handy to the second hand
hold on the fixed leg. This lets you grip a log and have a good long handle
for leverage without it being flexible.  None are perfect though, maybe get
an erector set and experiment. If you do find the perfect log tong be sure
let us know.
Jer
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bob Ehrenberger" <eforge at centurytel.net>
To: "Paul N" <crosspein at sbcglobal.net>; "Blacksmithing List Sponsored by
ABANA" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Tuesday, October 19, 2010 6:56 PM
Subject: Re: [TheForge] Log tongs?


> Paul,
>
> Yes, I was planning on making the jaws a semi-circle with the end about
> 10"
> from the hinge. My thinking was that you would need the leverage to pick
> up
> a log of any size.
>
> Robert Ehrenberger
> Shelbyville, Mo.
> eforge at centurytel.net
>