Some thought about tongs . How to get the best performers from your tongs.
Cooling tongs .
A good habit is to only dip tongs in water if the heat is traveling up the reins and making the tongs uncomfortable to hold . This is called cooling . This should be done before the tongs get so hot that they show color .
If the tongs show color . Red hot or hotter its best to let them air cool . Until the color is gone . Then it’s ok to cool them in water .
So that describes cooling .
Quenching .
Quenching would be dipping the tongs in water at color , red hot or hotter. This will change the grain structure of the metal . Stiffening the metal . If done repeatedly or at bright heat (yellow or white heat ) the tongs will become brittle . Leadings to cracks and possible failures. This should be avoided.
If you cool tongs as opposed to quenching you will get the best performance from them . Regardless of what material the tongs are made from .
Some folks who work with coal / coke forges will heat the material with the tongs attached . I was taught that this is a bad habit . The tongs take on color which relaxes them changing how they are set . Which almost always makes them hold poorly .
Let me add that if you ask three blacksmiths how to do something you will probably get 9 or more answers .
This is what I do and it’s worked well for me. I make a lot of tongs .
Some thought about tongs . How to get the best performers from your tongs.
Cooling tongs .
A good habit is to only dip tongs in water if the heat is traveling up the reins and making the tongs uncomfortable to hold . This is called cooling . This should be done before the tongs get so hot that they show color .
If the tongs show color . Red hot or hotter its best to let them air cool . Until the color is gone . Then it’s ok to cool them in water .
So that describes cooling .
Quenching .
Quenching would be dipping the tongs in water at color , red hot or hotter. This will change the grain structure of the metal . Stiffening the metal . If done repeatedly or at bright heat (yellow or white heat ) the tongs will become brittle . Leadings to cracks and possible failures. This should be avoided.
If you cool tongs as opposed to quenching you will get the best performance from them . Regardless of what material the tongs are made from .
Some folks who work with coal / coke forges will heat the material with the tongs attached . I was taught that this is a bad habit . The tongs take on color which relaxes them changing how they are set . Which almost always makes them hold poorly .
Let me add that if you ask three blacksmiths how to do something you will probably get 9 or more answers .
This is what I do and it’s worked well for me. I make a lot of tongs .
First Post May 06 2014, 0 Comments
The Quick and Dirty Tool Company is owned by Andy Blakney. It is currently one man operation .
Each order is filled on a first come first serve basis . Each pair of tongs is hand forged.
My goal is to make the best tongs I can at a reasonable price. As a one man operation quality control is a top priority. My goal is heirloom quality tools . Ive forged better then 5 tons of tools at this writing .
The tongs are made in Auburn Washington from American made 1045 steel.
I ship with USPS priorety flat rate boxes.
Thanks for your interest please let me know if I can do you any good .
You can email me any questions at seattleblacksmith@gmail.com if you would prefer to talk on the phone email me your # .
Thanks for stopping by.
Andy Blakney
