A Very Simple & Useful Hardy Tool 

I appreciate your kind comment though I'm more of legend in my own mind than in others' minds. I'll do my best to improve my videos and put out more content when possible. Thanks for sure.

I know exactly what you mean - I have mostly kept my forging to smaller projects. Thanks for watching and sharing.

Nothing fancy here but it works for what I need. Thanks so much.

You're right, this simple idea could be adjusted depending on the need. Thanks.

Glad you like this - nothing fancy... I'll do my best. Thanks.

I probably should ave touched on some different uses but folks like yourself can see the potential for something simple like this. Thanks.

Given my small space, I've got to keep things tidy. Thanks.

Thanks for continuing to watch.

For sure this could be made in a more complicated way to suit different needs. Thanks.

Yes, that's an excellent idea. It wouldn't be hard to have different profiles on the top end for different jobs. Thanks.

Glad you like this. Thanks for watching.

I could rest the tong blanks on my anvil and hammer the groove in from the top, but it would make the slight angle that I held the tong blanks almost impossible. This way works out much better for this particular operation. Plus, like you imply, I would have to hold the tool, my hammer, and at times the tong blank (which would shift around some) if just resting on my anvil face. Thanks.

Much appreciated, as usual...

I was going to explain more about the steel but figured the large 1050 on the side would let most folks know... Thanks.

My pleasure. Thanks for your support.

Simple but effective. Thanks.

The looseness also bugged me a little. I hammered on the shank piece just a bit too much. Still, it suits my need. Thanks.

Glad you like it. Thanks.

I'll think about that - maybe do a "best of" video of tools I frequently use. Thanks.

I have introduced my anvils in previous videos but since so many people ask, I should probably do another video where I show my small work space and tooling in detail. Thanks for watching.

It's nothing fancy but this simple tool idea could be adjusted to suit a lot of needs. I wish you the best too. Thanks.

Yes, I have seen some guys use this technique in order to keep one half of the tong static. I don't think this is necessary and have never done this myself. But maybe I should give it a try on a tong I frequently use and see if there is any benefit. The only thing I can think is that it may help keep the joint from becoming too sloppy over time. Thanks.

For something like this, 4140 would work very well in my opinion. And 4140 is purported to work harden (which I believe is true since my anvils (4145) have gotten harder over time. It wouldn't get soft like mild steel. Thanks.

Something simple but useful. Thanks.

Many people ask about my small, block style anvils. They suit me well but I think many guys would find them too small. Thanks for watching.

Thanks for watching.

I have made a few videos introducing my small, block style anvils. Look through my videos and you should find them. Thanks for watching.

New, old shorts actually. I think it's time for a wardrobe change. Thanks.

@@duff8402 but what I'm saying is that a standard hardie-hole fullering tool would do this job quite nicely. I'm imagine that he's designed it this way to do something other than what a fullering tool would do, but I'm not sure what it is. I'd be keen to find out in case it's worth making one for myself!

I think it really depends on the dimensions / shape of the hardy fuller being used. The main thing with this tool is I want to fuller in a flat (not rounded) groove since this tong will be used to hold flat stock. And this tool's flat and relatively high sides allow me to easily hold the tong blank at an angle. But as you're implying, this operation could be accomplished in a number of ways so I really think the benefit depends on the user/work being done. You could simply lock a piece of flat into your vise to get the same effect (and see how it works) before making this sort of anvil hardy tool. Thanks.

My anvil has some advantages but also disadvantages for sure. I often use it on its side and can even use it upside down since the anvil is completely heat treated top to bottom. Thanks for watching and replying...

@@gstongs Definitely not saying it should've been done differently. I'm very much a think outside the box kinda guy. I figured it was worth asking if there was extra functionality for this. But as you said, it actually would do a great job of getting those nice flat sides to the groove.

@@gstongs I actually kind of like your anvil. A blacksmith's anvil is part of their brand, and I can always tell one of your videos from a quick glance at the thumbnail!

My guess is he has a tray below it to catch any pins or anything that drop through. By throwing the waste down that hole, it's all in one place instead of on the floor.

Gets it off the anvil. It’s still hot so he could burn himself if he brushed it off with his hands. That’s just a convenient place. Probably also drops in a relatively common area to make clean up easier

Maybe he enjoys using rivets and traditional methods

@@demastust.2277 He does, but he's also said that he simply doesn't have room on his little balcony workshop for a welding rig. Plus hauling gas bottles up multiple stories... Clyde

Clyde said it perfectly. I just don't have space or convenience to electrically weld in my current work space. But welding would be the simplest way to go about this for sure and I wouldn't have wound up with the sloppy fit from over hammering the shank. Thanks for watching.

That's certainly one reason. Thanks.

Perfectly said. No need for me to add anything. Thanks.

Nothing wrong with welding and in fact, that's probably the preferred method. I just cannot weld in my current small work space. Thanks for watching.

Some others have also asked about the guillotine. I don't want this groove to be rounded since this tong will be used to hold flats (I should have explained this). I could use my guillotine tool but it would involve making a special set of dies which would be more complicated than making this simple tool. And I think the body of the guillotine would get in the way. Thanks.

At this point, you know me pretty well. And it's time for me to overhaul my wardrobe - retire the hole riddled and racing stripe shorts. Thanks.

@@gstongs brother I only want you to be comfortable in your own home / shop. Your too good a guy for us newby , we just joke w you trying to make what you do worth the effort for you sirSir

Maybe it´s the climate, isn´t his shop in somewere in asia?

Look I'm not entirely sure but I believe he works his pieces slightly colder than most. Also the gas air mixture in your forge could be adjusted to provide a flame with less oxygen tis will be colder thus taking longer to heat up but will oxidise the material less

His forge is fuel rich and he works at a colder temp than most. Hence much less scale

Thanks for watching.

Yes, this is what I was sometimes doing but I find it easier to hold the workpiece this way. Plus, I can angle the workplace better when using this simple hardy tool rather than if the workpiece was on bottom. Thanks.