Forge Your Own Tongs: A Beginner’s Guide to Making Tongs with a Drift
Making Tongs with a Drift: A Beginner’s Guide
Blacksmithing is an ancient art that has been practiced for centuries, and it still remains a popular craft today. One of the most important tools in a blacksmith’s arsenal is a pair of tongs, which are used to hold hot metals while they’re being worked on. Making your own tongs can be both rewarding and practical, allowing you to customize them to fit your specific needs. In this article, we’ll explore how to make tongs with a drift.
What is a drift?
Before diving into the process of making tongs with a drift, it’s important to understand what exactly a drift is. A drift is essentially a tool that’s used to shape metal by pushing or hammering it into place. In the case of making tongs, the drift will be used to create the rivet holes that allow the two halves of each tong to pivot together.
Getting started
To begin making your own tongs with a drift, you’ll need some basic supplies including:
– 1/4-inch-thick steel plate
– Metal saw or angle grinder
– Drill press or hand drill
– 3/8-inch drill bit
– Hammer and chisel
– Forge and anvil (or propane torch)
– Tapered punch/drift (can be homemade)
Step-by-step guide
1. Cut out two pieces of steel from your 1/4-inch-thick plate using either a metal saw or angle grinder. The dimensions should be roughly 3 inches wide by 12 inches long.
2. Use either your drill press or hand drill along with your 3/8-inch drill bit to create two identical holes in each piece of steel at one end only.
3. Next, use your hammer and chisel on one side only of each hole you’ve drilled in order to create small notches on either side of the hole. This will provide a better grip for your rivet once it’s in place.
4. Heat up both pieces of steel in your forge or with your propane torch. Once they’re hot enough, use your tapered punch/drift to create a small indentation where you want the rivets to be located.
5. Hammer the two halves of each tong together at their respective notched ends so that they’re flush against one another.
6. Use your drift along with a hammer to push and shape each half of the tong around the drift until it reaches the desired shape.
7. Remove the drift from each tong and drill out any excess metal that may have been pushed into the holes during this process.
8. Finally, insert your rivets into each set of holes and use either a hammer or pneumatic press to flatten them down on either side until they’re secure.
Tips for Success
While making tongs with a drift is certainly doable for beginners, there are some tips you can follow to help ensure success:
– Be sure to keep an eye on your metal as you work so that it doesn’t become too brittle or crack under pressure.
– Keep in mind that shaping metal takes time and patience – don’t rush through any steps in order to avoid mistakes.
– Consider practicing on scrap pieces of metal before working on more complex projects like making tongs with a drift.
– Safety should always come first when working with hot metals – wear appropriate safety gear such as gloves and eye protection at all times.
Conclusion
Making tongs with a drift is just one example of how blacksmithing can be both practical and rewarding for beginners looking to explore this ancient craft. With some basic tools and supplies, anyone can create their own customized pair of tongs that will serve them well for years to come while also honing their skills as blacksmiths. By following these simple step-by-step instructions along with some basic tips for success, making tongs with a drift is an achievable goal for anyone interested in this craft.