Introduction: Mini Tongs
So you just got back from the battlefield and the enemy got some good stabs in, your maille shirt needs fixing so you call your slave to get your tongs only to find him slain in battle. A knight like yourself would never trouble him / herself to lug around those big bulky tongs, not when there's loot to carry!
Alright to get back to reality for a moment, if you ever worn a butted chainmaille shirt you might have found that every now and then a ring just goes ping and rolls of. You can't really take your heavy tongs, not to mention that they don't fit your armour with the bright coloured plastic handles. These tongs are small, lightweight and plain metal, so they are a better fit on every point.
Step 1: Tools & Materials
Ok since this is a small ible just a short list;)
Tools:
Hammer
Anvil or similar object like dumbbell disc
Drill + 2mm(ish) drilllbit (bit bigger than the small nail diameter)
Benchvise
Groove pliers or similar large pliers
Cutting pliers
Materials:
2 large nails
1 small nail
Step 2: Preparing the Nails
Start out by flattening about a third of the large nails, leave 2/3 of the nails round so its easier to hold. Now centerpunch one of the nails at a third from the head, drill this and mark where the hole goes onto the other nail. Centerpunch and drill the other nail and go to the next step!
Step 3: Shaping the Tongs
Now take your hammer and flatten the nailhead untill its about square, make sure the sides are in line with the flattened part.
Next place the nail, head down and the hole parallel to the vise jaws, in the benchvise and use your pliers to bend the nail slightly.
Push the small nail through the holes so that the heads bend towards eachother. Cut off the small nail with about 1.5-2mm left, place everything on your anvil and rivet the small nail.
Your tongs are now finished! However mine weren't..... I really needed to flatten out the nail heads so they sit flush to eachother, to do this I just placed it on my anvil and gave it a few good hits and done!
33 Comments
9 years ago on Introduction
All in it takes about 15 min but, you can easily improve it by bending the handles or using a grinder to flatted the tip. I'm thinking about making a pair with a loop at the end so you can add rings or something to attach it to a belt
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
"The keyring pliers" forget the multitool!
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
Go forth and make your dream a reality:P
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
I wish I could...
Maybe a collaboration?
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
Sign me up!
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
SUre, Idon't know what that would require...
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
"The keyring pliers" forget the multitool!
8 years ago on Introduction
Thank you
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
you're welcome;
9 years ago on Introduction
bon job
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
Thank you:)
9 years ago on Introduction
if you worked the nail tips you could make it also have screw driver heads........ NICE! Looks great!
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
Good idea for making a multi tool, don't think most knights would need many screws tightened:P Thanks for the comment!
9 years ago on Introduction
I learned to punch holes in hot metal as part of a blacksmithing course. Punched holes result in a stronger joint as the metal grains are reflowed around the hole rather than cut. Nails are rather low carbon so can't be hardened too much but can be done. Finish the rivet head with something like a nailset tool to make a rounded head.
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
And it is true that the connection would be a lot stronger just like in riveted chainmaille, but this does require quite a bit extra work and this was just a quick and dirty project;)
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
As i've commented before:
Valid point, however as I have explained in the intro these are intended
to repair chainmaille not for extensive use. The wire used in making
chainmaille is a lot thinner and probably the same hardness as nails so
they might wear faster than real tongs but they are functional, just not
very sturdy;). thanks for the comment!
9 years ago on Introduction
Don't you need to heat-treat the tongs? On purpose they are made of very soft, malleable steel, not the kind of stuff you would want to use a tongs ... they are soft so that when you pull them out with a claw hammer, they can bend to follow the path of the wood-hole and come out of the wood.
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
Valid point, however as I have explained in the intro these are intended to repair chainmaille not for extensive use. The wire used in making chainmaille is a lot thinner and probably the same hardness as nails so they might wear faster than real tongs but they are functional, just not very sturdy;). thanks for the comment!
9 years ago
Or chopsticks for dummies.
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
haha might work, getting a little extra iron while you're eating