A guy at the Texas Farrier's Convention called my tong reins too thin

He said my 1/4 inch stock would likely snap under heavy forging stress, which I hadn't considered. I switched to 3/8 inch for all my new tongs and the difference in feel and safety is huge. Has anyone else had a tool detail pointed out that you totally missed?

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3 Comments

faith_price76mo ago

Quarter inch stock for tong reins? I can't believe I was working with that for so long, it feels like a toy compared to the 3/8 inch. The old ones must have been flexing way more than I realized.

10

knight.derek6mo ago

You mentioned the difference in feel and safety is huge with the thicker stock. What exactly feels different when you're working a piece, is it less flex in the reins or something else?

5

max_davis5mo ago

It's not just less flex, though that's part of it. The main thing is you stop feeling the piece fight back through the reins. With thin stock, you get this springy, vague feedback that makes it hard to control the twist. The thicker steel just feels solid and direct in your hands, so you're not guessing.

5