If you’re new to blacksmithing, you’ll need different sets of tools for various tasks. Tongs are used to hold different shapes and forms of metal stocks during forging. This prevents accidental burns. Making tongs from rebar is one of the best ways to craft this blacksmith tool.
You can buy these pliers or make your own. Most people use rebar to make tongs because it’s cheap and readily available.
This guide will show you the necessary steps involved in forging a pair of tongs from rebar from scratch.
Instructions:
Start with a Long Rebar
To making tongs from rebar, take a pair, preferably long rebars, so you don’t get accidental burns while forging them. Put them in the forge. You can use a gas forge or a coal forge; it doesn’t matter. Heat the rebars until they are red hot and then place one of them on the anvil and start shaping one end.
The Jaws and the Pivot
The end on the rebar that you’re shaping will consist of two areas, the jaw, and the pivot. The jaws are used to hold the piece of metal, and the pivot is used to attach the rebar to the other one. So, they have to be of a unique shape, like a scissor, to be able to connect to the other one.
Shape the jaws using a hammer into a square shape and the pivot into a flat one. This is ideal for a regular tong.
Bend the Jaws
The next step when making tongs from rebar is to bend the jaws. Place the rebar on the anvil and hit it at one end to properly bend it in a semicircle. After that, turn the tip in the opposite way to create the holding area. Do the same with the other rebar to make two similar handles of the tong.
Attach the pivot pin
Arrange both handles at the pivot point and place a steel pin between them. Use a ball-peen hammer to shape the end on the pin such that it is round and firmly in place. Move the handles to open and close the tong to see if they are working fine.
Bring down the temperature
Heat the tong in the forge and keep opening and closing them to make them smooth. Then quench them in oil or water to make them sturdy and robust. Repeat the process a few times until they feel soft and firm.
Adjust the Length
Cut the ends of the rebar to suit the length you need for your tongs. Adjust the shape of the jaws and make them perfect using a hammer, so they don’t wobble when you hold any metal with them.
Conclusion
Tongs are a basic necessity of a blacksmith, and there are different types of pliers each suited for a particular purpose. Like holding round metal rods or holding flat metal bars for making knives and swords. Making tongs from rebar is one of the best and most straightforward options for making this tool.
You should always consider the application before buying a pair. Round jaw tongs are of no use for square metal stocks. It is recommended that you make your own as it’ll cost you less and you’ll gain experience with it too.