Kiln Tongs or Grabbers...?

[JAndrew]

HMEM,

I'm hoping to get either pictures of homemade kiln tongs or links to commercially bought ones.

I picked up an electric kiln from a local hippie woman for only $75. It's pretty big. About 15-20 inches deep. I plan on using it to do some heat treating for now some casting later on. I need some kind of longer tongs for picking up parts. I tried using my longest channel locks but it was a bit cumbersome and too short and hot.

Anyone use plain old fireplace tongs for moving logs?

I may stack up a bunch of firebrick in there so it's not so deep to reach but still I'm curious what you pro's are using.

Thanks!
-J.Andrew

 

[Omnimill]

Search out a local blacksmith, they use tongs every day.

 

[JAndrew]

Omni,

No joy on finding a local blacksmith. That's a pretty rare thing nowadays.

Your suggestion did put me on the right track of searching the internet for "blacksmith tongs".

I found plenty of pictures and some good links for commercially made ones.

Thanks.

-J.Andrew

 

[Tin Falcon]

The old, pre wwII machinineries handbook has drawings and dimensions for blacksmith tongs. Should not be hard to find one either hard copy of PDF.
Tin

 

[Omnimill]

Check out guys in your area here:

http://www.iforgeiron.com/

I actually bought a couple of pairs of tongs from an American Blacksmith and had them shipped over here. Sadly I can't remember his name. If I can remember I'll let you know.

Update.

Glen Stollmeyer is the guy I bought the tongs from. Nice Tongs and a nice guy to do business with.

There is another option. There is a guy in the US that makes and sells Tong "blanks" these need to be finished off as required then pinned together. Nice product from the pictures I've seen.

 

[Omnimill]

Here's Glens site:

http://www.gstongs.com/

Tong Blanks:

http://www.polarbearforge.com/for_sale.htm

Hope this helps, let us know how you get on.