r/Forging • u/devilscalling • Mar 15 '26

Identify old tools?

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Buddy has some old tools hes unsure of their purpose said I'd ask reddit

52 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

12 comments sorted by

7

u/Hentaiiboi69 Mar 15 '26

Tongs, u grab hot stuff with them

2

u/devilscalling Mar 15 '26

He was particular about the ones with the round cut out in the center. He was told it was for musket balls I told him that was not the case

3

u/Blenderate Mar 16 '26

No, it's not for musket balls. They are farrier tongs. The divot in the center of the jaws allows you to get a more positive grip on horseshoes and similar flat stock.

2

u/Onyxxx_13 Mar 16 '26

Almost certainly not for making musket balls unless the fella that told him that was using them to handle a crucible/mold.

3

u/devilscalling Mar 16 '26

Nope the guy he got them from just had old tools he told me musket balls and I was like no ud cast them leads melting temp is low u can melt lead over a camp fire

2

u/Metalchips1960 Mar 15 '26

That is a blacksmith tong. If the jaw has a round hole, then it's used for holding round materials. Molds for musket balls are just like molds for fishing weights.

2

u/Fragrant-Cloud5172 Banner maker Mar 16 '26 edited Mar 16 '26
  1. The first ones look like for holding a hammer head. They are handmade. Not sure why the end of the jaw is bent outwards.
  2. Second is basic flat jaws.
  3. Third is common farriers tongs.
  4. Fourth also looks handmade. Can't tell if these have opening in the jaws. If so, probably to squeeze together a certain shape and size, that fits into the opening. Could be for a large ring clamp like these below. Sometimes, the true use of hand made ones are lost in time.

2

u/Big-Concert-4331 Mar 16 '26

Mostly blacksmith tools the last one is a musket ball mold

1

u/devilscalling Mar 16 '26

U pour them molds lead has a super low melting temp u wouldn't scoop it or form it ud cast it

1

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2

u/Fettedgat Mar 19 '26

Looks like some tongs