Two Tools For The Smithy

Discussing blacksmithing tools, we've covered anvils, hammers and tongs. Let's discuss a couple of tools now that you'll find handy in the smithy. A cheap pair of locking grip pliers and a cheap monkey wrench are a couple of tools that can really work together. Normally, I advocate the use and purchase of only quality materials and tools. These tools are an exception. This is due to the fact that quality made locking grip pliers and monkey wrenches are made from fine tool steel well hardened and tempered. This is fine for their intended purpose, but not for holding, bending and twisting hot metal while working in the forge. Should you use a well made pair of either tool they will lose their tempering where they become too hot. Where they lose their tempering they could bend and cause cracks in the steel that has retained its temper.

As you can see, it is best to use cheap tools for the forge, or tools made specifically for blacksmithing. The tasks you will use your locking grip pliers and monkey wrench for will be bending and twisting. The traditional method used for twisting is to place one end of the hot iron in a vice and place the other end through a twisting wrench, then twist. There's nothing wrong with the traditional method, but if your work requires different size irons for different projects you will need different sizes of twisting wrenches. For making fireplace sets you may need a quarter inch twisting wrench for square stock, but for your cook fire tripods you may need a five/eights inch square stock twisting wrench. You may need a separate size for sconces. Instead of adding so many twisting wrenches to your tool box, the locking grip pliers and monkey wrench will work for every size you need. Simply heat the section of metal you wish to twist in your forge to red hot. Adjust the monkey wrench and locking grip pliers to the size of stock you are working. When the section of metal you are working is at the proper heat use your locking grip pliers to grasp and lock onto your metal just behind the heated section. Using the same pliers remove the metal from your forge with your weak hand and lock the monkey wrench forward of the heated section with your strong hand. Keep the metal securely in place with your locking grip pliers in your weak hand and twist the metal with the monkey wrench in your strong hand. This method saves a lot of FRNs and space in tools. It also helps to give you more time to work the hot metal out of the forge as you do not have to spend several seconds to lock down your metal in a vice.

Different sizes of bending forks are also unnecessary. Set the jaws of your monkey wrench at the proper distance for the bend or scroll you prefer, heat your metal to red and bend as you would with a fork. It’s even easier for scrolling as you can adjust the wrench for smaller to wider bends. Of course, those are for bends with some loop in them. For straight angles it’s easiest to use the hammer and side of the anvil. Nevertheless, these two simple, cheap tools will save you a lot of time, space and money in the smithy.

For an example of products that can be made in the forge using the locking grip pliers and monkey wrench check out the plain sconce at http://northwoods traders.ecrater.com.