[TheForge] Scrolling Tongs from Tinsnips?

[Bruce .]

Well thanks for the offer of a lesson, and especially for the pointer to
your videos.  (I didn't find the tong-making videos yet, but I've only
glanced at the long list of them that you have on YouTube.)

But I'll pass on the lesson because you're really missing my point.

I am not, at this juncture, interested in increasing my knowledge of
forging.  I have no intention or interest  in forging scrolling tongs from
bar stock.  I could probably do that now, but don't have the time to try it
out and improve my technique enough to get a product worth including in our
toolboxes.

(Nor am I, as you imply, teaching anyone how to forge tongs.  The teaching
I do is mainly to novices:  starting and maintaining a coal fire; basic
forging operations; a few simple projects they can try.)

My current interest is *only *in getting two pair of scrolling tongs
finished and into our toolboxes by Aug. 6 (our next public demo) and all
six finished and into our toolboxes by October (our next remote open forge
meet).  The issue is *having the tongs available for use*, not my learning
to make them.  And since NJBA operates on a slim budget, purchasing them is
out.

I never asked for info on how to forge scrolling tongs from scratch, only
how to forge them from tinsnips -- which has way fewer steps.

So I reiterate -- if anyone knows of an article, video, or other
instructional material for making scrolling tongs from tinsnips, I'd
appreciate hearing of it.

Bruce
NJ

On Sun, Jul 22, 2018 at 11:52 AM, J. Petrila <jlpservicesinc at gmail.com>
wrote:

> 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.
>
>