[TheForge] Scrolling Tongs from Tinsnips?

[J. Petrila]

Well if your up for a drive, I'd be happy to give you a lesson or 2 on tong
making..

As for mediocre forging skills, the only way to get better is to do it..

Doing it with someone who has a great understanding makes it even easier.

Learning to make tongs from someone who can barely make them is not a great
way to learn it..

As for Peter Ross..  or any other of the lifetime Smith's, why would you
make a comparison to them....     this is their life story and have
developed the skill set so they can do it..


A good friend of mine, said to me after asking me about making a bracket
for an old BMW motorcycle and me offering to "help" him make them...  "
I've got people for that"...

He has no interest in blacksmithing or fabrication work, but has the money
to purchase or barter for the items he wants.


To ask the question " How to do something".. or " What's the best way"
infers there is a desire to learn..

So, what if it takes you 3days to forge 1 pair..  the second set might only
take you 2days..

Only sticking to what you are good at , because you are good at it would
eliminate many, many, many needed skill sets in blacksmithing.


Instead of supplying the group have a scroll tong forging day and have them
make the tongs for the group..

"No one skilled enough to forge scroll tongs in the group" invite someone
who can and offer something in return...

Blacksmiths for the most part are doers..

Use this to your advantage..

Come see me in MASS and I'd be happy to "GIVE" you a lesson or check out
the jlpservicesinc youtube video channel there are 4 or so videos on tong
making different kinds..

Or hit me up at any of the demos I do and id be happy to give you a lesson
there..

Practice makes perfect and it's the only way to get better..

Even if there is a physical limitation sometimes this can be addressed to
the point where forging can become possible.





On Sat, Jul 21, 2018, 9:51 PM xlch <xlch58 at swbell.net> wrote:

> It was probably the snap ring pliers.  I have several American made sets,
> but bought a harbor freight set away from home once.  They would be
> serviceable for small stuff.  Be aware they come in inside and outside
> varieties, I.e. some squeeze to open and some squeeze to close,  for
> scrolling tongs squeeze to close is what you want.
>
> It was 108 here in Dallas.  Was out and about all day. Felt great.
>
>
> Charles
>
>
> > On Jul 21, 2018, at 7:00 PM, Rob Fertner <rfertner at cox.net> wrote:
> >
> > That may be them. I'm not a mechanic. I saw them at Harbour Freight few
> > years back, bought them, ground the tips and I had some light duty
> scrolling
> > tongs.
> > If you're looking for quick and easy, that fits the bill. If I see a tool
> > I'm not familiar with, I try to imagine what I could use (with or without
> > modification) it for in a blacksmithing way.
> >
> > Rob
> > Wichita, KS
> > Our temperature is in the balmy 3 digits.
> >
> >
>
>
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