Blacksmithing
and Cutlery
by Gérard HEUTTE
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Quick making of blacksmithing tongs
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Here is a fast way to make blacksmithing tongs. This effective, but not very conventional
method will certainly make yell the purists...
This type of tongs, especially designed to seize a
flat part, is very useful in cutlery for the seizure of the blades.
Unfortunately, they are rather expensive (25 to 35 euros)
and difficult to find as well in the blacksmithing equipment suppliers as on
the secondhand trades...
Principle
The principle is very simple since the assembly of some metal parts through arc
welding is enough. The excess of
welding will be ground. The two branches are identical,
except for the jaws which will be adapted at the size of the parts to grab.
The example taken for this realization is conceived to seize a
21 mm wide flat part by 3 to 5 mm thick.
In general, the axis of the jaw must be in the plan of junction
of the two halves of the tongs (clear, not?). In the
contrary case, the two bits would not be well aligned with the final
assembly.
Equipment
It is necessary to get a some tools you will in
the workshop of a handyman:
> Arc welding set.
> Angle grinder.
> Saw, file...
The supplies are limited:
On the left, metal sheet parts. The three parts on the top will be used
to make a jaw in a "U" shape. The part below will
make the second jaw which will block the part to be seized in the "U".
On the right side, two squares of 10 and 40
length and two rounds of 10 with a length of 320 to make the branches.
Realization of the branches
First, weld the square on the
round. Position these two elements in the vice by making
them rest on a small support. They will be aligned thus
perfectly. These two elements are welded on each side.
Ready to be welded.
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The least bad of my weldings!
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Realization of the jaws
The two metal sheet parts of the jaws are now welded on the other side of the squares.
One will weld sheet constituting the jaws.
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The angle grinder will remove the excess of matter.
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The excess will be cut with the hacksaw.
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Here is the result after some file strokes!
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The jaw in "U"
This jaw is carried out by adding two parts on the sides.It is possible to create the
"U" by hot folding of sheet.
A square is positioned for alignment.
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One of the sides is fixed and it is ready to weld!
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One side is welded.
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The "U" finished!
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And here are two ready halves:
Assembly
In order to be able to tighten rather fine flat
parts (3 to 5 mm thick), it is necessary to move the two jaws closer. This
operation is made hot, but cold bending is possible for muscular people.
Here, it is enough to shift approximately by 5 mm.
See the result opposite.
You just have now to assemble the two halves.
You can use a hot rivet, but it is much simpler to put
a bolt. Tighten the nut until the tong is operated
easily without too much play. Immobilize this nut by a point
of arc welding.
To facilitate the operation of the tongs, it is possible to
insert a broad and fine washer between the two parts...
Result
Tong in open position:
And in closed position:
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