Poz-style Tongs Class 2012

Instructors: Darryl Ponder, Gordon Barr, Bob Brown
Class size: Maximum 8, minimum 5
Prerequisites: Blacksmithing Basics class required, or equivalent experience.
Bring: Your favorite hammer, slitting chisel if you have it, safety glasses, hearing protection. Wear natural fiber clothes and closed toe shoes. Other tools, materials provided
Class Description: You are invited to spend a December Saturday learning how to make a pair of “Poz” style tongs while gathered around the heat of the coal forges at the Minnesota School of Horseshoeing. Poz tongs, originally designed by a Mr. Richard Pozniak of Chicago, refined by Robb Gunter, and refined further still and championed by our own Monty Bygd, are versatile in that they can hold square, round, and flat stock all with a single pair of tongs. We will be making a pair of tongs designed to hold 3/8 inch square or round stock, or quarter inch flat stock.

We will be upsetting, slitting, drawing out, bending around some jigs, riveting, and generally having a good time. None of the processes is hard to learn and everyone will learn how to make these tongs while back in their own shop. Each participant should leave with a finished pair of tongs. One change for the class this year is that Gordon Barr has had some Poz tongs blanks cut for us at Discount Steel, so the long drawing out process we have been using for the reins will be reduced greatly in time and effort. Each student will receive two sets of blanks and will also learn how to make the tongs from regular fat bar stock if blanks are not available. Other tooling will be provided or made by you on site.

To register: Send your check for $40 payable to The Guild of Metalsmiths to:
Darryl Ponder
18320 Byrnwood Lane
Minnetonka, MN 55345
darrylponder@earthlink.net

IMPORTANT! – Include your name, phone number, and email address with your check so I may contact you after receiving the payment! A check with no telephone number or contact information included does me no good!