I've been forging my tongs wrong for a solid decade

I was helping a new guy at the shop, showing him how I make my standard box jaw tongs. He watched me for a minute and then asked, 'Why are you upsetting the boss so far from the end before you draw out the reins?' I just stared at my hammer. For ten years, I'd been putting my initial punch and drift hole way too close to the center, which meant I was fighting the steel to get long, thin reins. I saw his point immediately. I tried his way, starting the hole much closer to the tip of the blank, and the reins practically drew themselves out. Has anyone else had a basic technique they were doing backwards for way too long?

2 comments

2 Comments

linda_butler287d ago

Honestly, that "fighting the steel" feeling is the worst. What was the first thing you tried to make after you fixed your method?

barbara3997d ago

Fighting the steel for ten years" is the perfect way to put it. It's amazing how one simple tip can make you feel like you just unlocked a cheat code. We all get stuck in our ways until a new guy shows up and breaks our brains.