I was totally wrong about those cheap tong blanks

Bought a 10-pack of pre-cut tong blanks online for like 80 bucks thinking it would save me a ton of forge time. The steel was absolute garbage, softer than butter. I ruined three of them just trying to draw out the reins before I gave up and tossed the whole lot. Ended up wasting a whole Saturday and the cash. Just forging my own from known stock is way faster in the long run. Anyone have a go-to source for decent mild steel bar that won't break the bank?

3 comments

3 Comments

reed.skyler8d ago

Yeah the "softer than butter" thing is a dead giveaway. I got burned on some mystery metal rebar once, same deal. My local metal supermarket sells decent hot rolled mild by the foot, its not fancy but its consistent. I just grab a 20 foot stick of 1/2 inch square every few months and cut what I need.

jennifer8338d ago

Reminds me of my buddy who bought a whole bunch of scrap angle iron for a project, thinking he scored. He spent a whole weekend cutting and grinding, only to find the stuff bent if you looked at it wrong, total junk. I told him he should have just gone with known stock like you do, @reed.skyler. Now he only gets his steel from the proper supplier, even if it costs a bit more upfront.

wendy1318d ago

Been there! I once tried to save money on some old channel iron for a workbench frame. The moment I started welding, the whole piece just warped like a banana. Total waste of time and gas. Now I just bite the bullet and buy new steel from a place that knows their stock. The consistency is worth every penny because you know exactly what you're getting.