15 Types of Tongs Every Modern Blacksmith Needs to Know About
Tongs are one of the most essential tools in blacksmithing. They come in various shapes and sizes, each designed to serve a specific purpose. From holding hot metals to manipulating them, tongs make the work of a blacksmith more manageable and safer.
In this article, we will discuss the top 15 types of tongs and their uses in modern blacksmithing.
1. Flat Jaw Tongs: These tongs have flat jaws that grip onto flat surfaces easily. They are commonly used for grabbing hold of thin sheets or plates while forging or hammering them into shape.
2. Wolf Jaw Tongs: These tongs have V-shaped jaws with teeth that grip onto round objects like rods, pipes, and other cylindrical items. When heated metal cools down and shrinks slightly Wolf Jaw Tongs are great for holding it securely.
3. Bolt Tongs: These tongs have an adjustable jaw that can be tightened around bolts or nuts for easy removal from tight spaces or assembly lines.
4. Pick Up Tongs: As the name suggests, these tongs help pick up hot metals from the forge floor without burning your hands or fingers.
5. Box Jaw Tongs: These tongs feature box-shaped jaws which provide a secure grip on square stock such as nails or rivets during forging processes
6. Scrolling Tongs: Used primarily in ornamental ironwork, these specialized tong shapes allow you to manipulate steel bars into intricate curves and spirals
7. Hollow Bit Tong: This tong has two cups at either end allowing you to hold hollow tubes securely during welding operations
8.Wire Twisting Pliers : A variation on traditional pliers with tapered ends specifically designed for twisting wire together repeatedly
9.Rivet Head Serpentine Tons- An excellent choice when working with rivets because they offer greater control over how much force is applied when squeezing down on metal fasteners
10.Shrinking Tongs- Designed to help craft precise curves and contours when shaping metal, shrinking tongs are a staple of automotive and aircraft fabrication shops
11. Goose Neck Tongs: These tongs have a curved neck that allows the blacksmith to reach into tight spaces or work around corners without burning their hands.
12. Side Jaw Tongs: With an angled jaw design, these tongs are ideal for holding pieces of steel at odd angles during complex forging processes.
13. Offset Jaws Tong: They offer greater control over how much force is applied to hot metals by allowing for more surface area contact with materials.
14. Cupping Tons- Specifically designed for cupping the ends of tubes or pipes together prior to welding operations
15. Chain Nose Pliers – Similar in shape to regular pliers but with narrower tips that can be used for forming bends in wire or small projects like jewelry making.
In conclusion, tongs play a crucial role in modern blacksmithing as they protect your hands while manipulating hot metals safely and efficiently. Each type of tong has its own specific uses which make them indispensable tools in any forge shop environment.
If you’re looking into starting your journey as a blacksmith then investing in a good set of tongs should definitely feature on your shopping list!