PSA: stop using rebar as tongs for hot work

Two weeks ago I was forging a 1/2 inch bar and grabbed a piece of rebar to flip it on the anvil. Stupid move. The rebar bent after maybe 3 heats and dropped the steel right on my boot. I always thought having a backup set of tongs was overkill, then I ordered a cheap pair from Centaur Forge for $35. Total game changer. Anyone else burned by using random scrap as tools and lived to tell about it?

2 comments

2 Comments

spencer_ross4d ago

Did you ever try wrapping the ends of the rebar with wire to keep it from bending?

wyatt_ross273d ago

Wrap a bit of 14 gauge wire around each end before you even start bending... it really helps keep the rebar from flattening out or kinking at the tips. I've had good luck doing a couple tight wraps with some leftover tie wire, then bending right over that spot with a bender. The wire acts like a little collar, stops the steel from wanting to mushroom out where the bend starts. If you're doing a bunch of pieces, just pre-wrap a dozen or so ends at a time... saves a ton of headache later.