another rabbit hole I'm starting down...

Quality work takes time Sfeile

 

Yes. Yes it does. Not trying to rush you, I'm just excited that I'm not the only one just getting started.

 

The heck with that..get cracking mister!

 

an inauspicious start. my first set of tongs.

 

Nice start!

Hopefully this will be taken as constructive and not derogatory.
It looks like you either didn't have enough heat, let them cool too much, or didn't roll them enough when you were forming your handles leaving your material fold on itself causing cold shuts.

Looks like you formed them after pinning?

Nice job on turning the jaws. Looks very clean and even.

 

Awesome effort Mike.

 

your comments are very much appreciated. I've received the same advise from another smith on the UMBA fb page. I was worried about it being too hot, so probably didn't leave them in long enough. the plans called for installing a pin and heating them together for alignment purposes and twisting them with the pin still in. After I twised it, I took the pin out and worked on the reins separately. I think I will remove the rivet and draw them out some more. I don't have any other tongs yet, so working them requires me to hold them with vice grips.

 

Thanks Jim

 

That is a problem with your first set of tongs... nothing to hold them with yet haha. Ran into that myself when I was making my first pair.

They are looking good though. The hammering will get easier and you will get a better eye for your heat as you progress. Can't wait to see the next project.

 

Thanks, I built those tongs to handle small stuff, so that is where I will focus trying to develop skills. hooks, leaves, bottle openers.

 

Good plan. I did one set of tongs and thought I was ready to jump right into knives. I found out pretty quick there are a lot of basics I was missing.

I actually did my first LSO tonight. (Leaf shaped object )

 

First attempt at a leaf. Also made a hold down seen in the second picture. rough but I think I can get there.

 

Looking very good sir!

 

thanks sfeile

 

Its official. Mike is a blacksmith.

Looks wonderful Mike!

 

Thanks Jim. Lets not jump to conclusions though...

 

nice progress

 

Thanks Valgard

 

Simply amazing.

Looking forward to everything that comes out.

 

Thanks Turtle