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9:28 am
February 21, 2013
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I'm Andy Jagger, hobby smith for 10 years in this incarnation - did a bit in school where I got the bug and some more in late seventies but got 'tennis elbow', moved house, got kids and a mortgage so lost the plot re smithing for a while. I really enjoy it now and just did a 'Masters' class in the city (Melbourne). We had some inspirational teaching from Belgian smiths Patrick Pelgroms and his sidekicks Raf and Flip. If I can work out how to do it I'll post a picture of Patricks design of tongs, they are the best multi use tongs I've ever seen.
Anyway, g'day to all of you, I haven't seen much of the site yet but it looks good so far.
Andy
3:30 am
NWBA Member
November 8, 2010
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Hi Andy! Welcome to this side of the pond. Definitely put up some pictures of those tongs when you get a chance. When you post you have to go to 'manage attachments' and then browse to your photos. Cheers,
They only remember you when you SCREW UP~!!!
2:15 am
February 21, 2013
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If I've done this right you should get two views of the Pelgrom tongs. I believe they are also made by Angele in Germany, not sure about patents but it hasn't stopped me making some for myself and Patrick himself seemed quite ok with them. Let me know how you find them. I should have mentioned earlier they hold round ,square and flat very well and in a range of sizes. I imagine 2-3 pair of different sizes would cover all normal hand forging requirements sizewise. Patrick tells me the most useful pair is the smallest which he made from reo (rebar?). They are much finer than the ones in the pics with longer handles, quite springy, light and a joy to use. Jaw length in those is 50mm and is 66mm nose to centre of hinge rivet. Rivet to end of handles is 435 mm. Section behind hinge is 13x7or8mm and at very end of handles drawn down to6x6mm. Jaws are in proportion to this ie also fine, nevertheless strong. Forgot to mention they are also useful for holding punch/drift etc of a suitable size. Could have put dimensions in inches but I reckon you guys need the excercise. 😉
4:38 am
NWBA Member
November 8, 2010
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Looks good, Andy. Over here we call those angle-iron tongs, or at least that's what I use them for. I'll try to take pix of the one's I've got. The top jaw is pointed and the bottom is in the V shape, Whaddya know- I found my pictures. These work very well for angle. I make a leaf from angle iron by pointing the tip and bending it the hard way over the horn. Almost impossible to do holding the angle any other way. I made two pairs of these for different thicknesses, both out of some crazy tough sway bar material from a 5-ton truck. I do love tongs. There seem to be more species than hammers. For me the interaction with the work is really important.
They only remember you when you SCREW UP~!!!
6:02 am
NWBA Member
August 7, 2010
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G'Day Andy,
Welcome to this world, from Victoria, B.C. Canada.
I have been making some tongs similar to what you have, except the lower jaw is in the shape of a U, with the same shape as you have. That creates 3 points of contact for your work piece. No problem to hold weird shapes or big things with smaller tongs.
Grant was just starting to make tongs like what Steve showed you. He called them Universal Tongs. Great for pipe or angle bar, good for solid round/square/??, as long as the top jaw could cover it. Impossible to grab something sideways. I guess that is why there are so many configurations of Tongs.
Everywhere you go, there is something to learn. As long as your mind, eyes and ears are open, and your mouth is shut. :smug::smug:
"Only in Canada, Eh. Pity" (from a Red Rose Tea commercial)
Neil
As long as we are above our shoes, We know where we are.:happy:
8:18 am
May 26, 2010
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G'day Andy, mike from Brisbane.
Blacksmith?.....snap out of it!
8:44 am
February 21, 2013
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G'day Steve, Neil and Mike, thanks for your replies. I guess there's nothing new in the world eh!
I really relate to your remark ,Steve, about the interaction with the work, I keep trying to explain that's my motivation to people but I'm not sure how many get it. Hadn't yet thought of using the tongs for angle but I will now. Have you considered making a pair with the curved jaw with split end (hard to see in the pics) I reckon it will do more than just angle.
Yeah Neil I had wondered if a half round jaw wouldn't be just as useful as the square. Do you think there's an advantage? If so I'll try a pair. A smith from Montreal was over here last year and told a mate of mine that a lot of businesses virtually close down over winter because the cold and snow tends to make people 'hibernate' . Would have thought forge work ideal over winter. What's your experience?
G'day Mike, what sort of stuff do you make up there in sunny Brisbane ? It's 25 years since I was in Queensland except for a short trip to Cairns. Do you ever get down to Lithgow for the big fest coming up (can't remember the name of it at the moment - one of my frequent failings.
3:12 pm
May 26, 2010
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howdy back, welcome to stop in for a forge if you venture this way,
mostly tools, a little decorative, and whatever the wife wants...lol
not been to the event down south no....
and im the hybernate in summer here, more prefer to forge in the cooler times, if i can get away with it. blacksmithing not a summer sport in the heat...lol. of course, if lotto comes through with my air conditioned smithy, ill be right....lol
Blacksmith?.....snap out of it!
5:15 am
NWBA Member
August 7, 2010
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Good Morning Andy,
This North Hamerica is a HUGE chunk of real estate that has as many micro-climates as there are places. Victoria is on an Island on the west (Left Coast), Vancouver Island. We have to pay for permission to travel to the BIG Island called North Hamerica (by Ferry or Hairplane). We don't get "Air Miles points" for traveling on the Ferry (You'd think they would give us a volume discount). Montreal is just a short trip East, 3500 miles.
In Victoria, we get blessed by warm trade winds and currents, we normally get a few days of snow and maybe a week of below freezing, in a year. We get rain, 70 miles up the outside of the Island they average about 150" of rain in a year. Other parts of Canada and the US get cold and snow, we don't. In the summer the weather is between 20-30c, when it isn't cloudy. In the winter it is normally about freezing or just above. Right now it is about 10-15c.
No Snakes, Lizards, Alligators, some spiders (not poisonous). Lots of Black-Tail Deer, some Cougar (I know they have seen me, but I have never seen one in the Bush while I am hunting), fair amount of Black Bear (they are no problem), No Grizzly Bear on the Island. Lots of birds. There are no wildlife fears (except in some peoples minds). Fishing is good, salt water or fresh water. Salt water is always quite chilly to swim in, even in summer. Wet Suit makes the water enjoyable.
We get spoiled with the weather. Just another day standing on the rock!!
ciao fur now,
Neil
As long as we are above our shoes, We know where we are.:happy:
8:39 am
February 21, 2013
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Well Neil, I knew where Victoria and Vancouver Island are but the rest is a real geography and ecology lesson - all good to know . I won't feel so sorry for you anymore! 🙂 We don't get snow at this low elevation but can travel 4-5 hrs to the snowfields in winter if we want to ski or half an hour for occasional local 'sightseeing ' snow. We can get pretty warm in summer though - odd days of 40deg c plus and occasionally hitting 45 these days of global warming.
Have been known to forge in 35deg weather when I've got madly passionate about some item or if there's a public commitment. It just makes the beer afterwards that much more enjoyable. :cloud9:
Mike I'd love to forge with you but when might be an issue. Thanks for invite, same goes for you if you ever get down here.
Andy
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