[TheForge] "Universal" tongs and tools.

[Jerry Frost]

Of course not Mike, there will always be a shape or stress that will require
something purpose designed. Still, you can get close. Years ago an Uncle of
mine introduced me to his widow neighbor who was looking to sell some of the
stuff her husband had collected over the years. I came home with better than
1,000lbs. of blacksmith tools, not counting the Johnson Appliance 122a forge
I didn't want. Anyway, there was a pair of tongs in the pile I was almost
embarrassed to admit I had, a pair of slip joint pliers with reins welded
on. I managed to keep them out of sight for quite a while till one day I had
a project that wasn't liking any pair of tongs I had handy so I grabbed the
things and darned if they don't work a treat for almost anything. Now they
live on the tong rack on my forge where they're in my face handy.

For the more traditional tongs I like my V bit bolt tongs best. I'm thinking
of making a pair with wider and longer bits but the same smallish "V"s so
they'll grip flats and such better than these.

I REALLY miss Grant, visiting him was on my bucket list.

Jer

-----Original Message-----
From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of CGRAF
Sent: Saturday, September 28, 2013 6:02 AM
To: Blacksmithing List Sponsored by ABANA
Subject: Re: [TheForge] "Universal" tongs and tools.

Universal probably doesn't exist.
Good multipurpose is not all that hard.
A couple of wolf jaw tongs Adjusted to suit the stock most commonly used is
a reasonable place to start a three or four tong set.

The other two would depend on what you are making. Perhaps something to grab
inside of a pipe, or one that can act as a die as well. I have one of the
latter that I use for making rain chains. I grab the stock and wrap it
around the upper part of the tong.

Mike Graf