Great jumping Jehoshaphat! Another post already? Yes, Yes indeed!. Got some quality time in the forge today. Decided to work on making coal tongs. I have found several examples of tongs that are in period, but the other day i came across a pair of tongs that i really wanted to try making. I have yet to find this type of action in period, but it is close. I have not given up looking, but for now. They are what they are. These will go in the kit for the Pennsic cook table. It all started at the Norva archery range, where they had a pair of fireplace tongs that I fell in love with. Not the use of them, but the design and the blacksmithing aspect. Here are the photos that I took for reference:

From these pictures came the design work plus notes added as I went along:

And then came the forging. In an attempt to keep it simple, I elected to drill the holes and use commercial rivets. Here is the process, with notes as I went along:

Started with two 4 ft. pieces of cold rolled steel 1/8 x 3/4.

These were then cut in half. (a mistake, but more on that later).

The end of one of the pieces was then tapered and rolled to start the handle.

The finished curl.

A bend for the hand-hole was then introduced.

The curl was then added to form the handle.

Just below the handle, the bar was twisted 90 degrees.

This was then cleaned up and finished.

Time to start the 2nd handle:

Matching the curl and bend.

Getting everything lined up

This left me with 2 matching handles.

Time to start the tong ends:

Texturing the foot.

Putting in the proper bend

Adding the curve to the bottom.

Putting a 90 degree twist just past the curve

Time to start the 2nd tong end

Another way to work the curve in.

Riveting the handles.

Measuring and marking the feet.

Trimming the excess.

Riveting the rest of the joints and finishing.

Final tongs

I am not sure how well the original tongs worked 1 handed, but these are definitely 2 handed tongs. However, they do do as good job picking up single pieces of coal (or charcoal). There are a few modifications I would make if i ever attempted to make these again. But all in all I am please with how they came out.

Plus I mase an “S” hook (WOOT!!!!):