How are box-jointed pliers made?

Not quite. They forge both parts to roughly the finished shape. Then reheat the part that has the box, open the box up enough to insert the other half through the hole, then, after positioning the halves in the correct position, forge the parts together. Since this is done below a welding heat, no bond forms. One reheats the whole thing and forges the assembly to final shape. Then, the hole is drilled for the pin. The pin is riveted into place. Then it's file or grind until done. Pete Ross, previous master blacksmith and manager of the Williamsburg blacksmith shop for many years makes them often. He says you only need to make about 25 pairs of box tongs to get good at it. I bought a completed pair, a pair that are ready to rivet and the two blanks needed to make another pair at a blacksmith auction in Asheville, NC some years ago. I had watched him make them.

Pete Stanaitis

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Christ> Hi folks,

Thanks, Pete. That was a fascinating explanation. It explains why I can't see a join in my pliers.

I assume CK have a production line set up which forges the outer part of the box joint complete with the pre-expanded slot, but I'm just guessing here. My pliers are CK No. 3772 if anyone else has a pair they'd like to inspect.

Now there is such a thing as forge welding, isn't there? The monkey wrenches I'm thinking of are "Trimo" brand. They have a channel which is box-shaped in cross-section. I've seen one with a crack along the centre of the channel from overloading. Whether these were forged solid and later had the channel milled out, or whether the channel was forge welded, I don't know. Anyone know for sure?

I don't own one, but I'm tempted to buy one now just so that I can inspect it.

Best wishes,

Chris

Yes, I suppose the box half could have been made in two pieces, forge welded together after being closed around the other half. But forge welds are generally considered not quite as strong as the parent metal. And, although the idea of drifting the square hole open to round after initial forming may sound foriegn to non-blacksmiths, we get used to extreme hot forming and shape change.

Pete Stanaitis

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How precise are your pliers, Pete? The ones I have are really tight; you couldn't get a hair into the joint. If you can make a joint that tight by forging, that's amazing.

Best wishes,

Chris

Ever seen the video of Peter Ross making a reproduction andiron? I'm not sure whether it's inspiring or discouraging to see him do in 30 minutes what I'd be delighted to accomplish in 4 hours.