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Toaster Tongs

Project by Karson posted 771 days ago 1304 views 23 times favorited 40 comments Add to Favorites Watch

Have you ever burnt your fingers, used a knife, a fork or turned upside down a toaster in order to get out 1) a piece of toast, 2) a Toaster Strudel, 3) an English Muffin or 4) something flaming out of your toaster.

A solution.

My wife is going to visit her mother this week and she asked me if I had anything to send. She has also been after me to make her a Toaster Tong. She keeps losing hers.

So I went out to the workshop and picked up a couple of pieces of wood. I don’t call them scrap because they are the same size they were when I bought them. a piece of Purpleheart and a piece of Chechen
My mistake the wood is not Chechen but Bocote it wasn’t until I started to cut some more that I realized my mistake. I’m making some more and I’ll show the Chechen ones then.

I also got a couple of piece of wood that I had set aside for making a few pens. A piece of Tiger Maple and a piece of White Oak Crotch wood On top is the original that I started my research with.

The wood is about 8” long (not critical). I resawed 4 sets of Chechen and 5 sets of Purpleheart. They are about 1/8” thick (not critical). That blade was actually running at 3000 ft per minute, and the camera stopped it. Thats neat.

I then cut the Tiger Maple into 1/2” thick strip. The other dimension is 3/4”.

I then cut them about 1 1/4” long so I ended up with a few blocks and some strips of wood.

I sanded the blocks in a taper from 1/2” thick to 3/8” thick.

It was then a matter of gluing the three pieces together. Making sure that the long end of the stick was at the 1/2” end of the block. And clamp. I’m using butcher paper under the glue. The plastic coating on the paper keeps the glue from sticking.

Then glue up them all.

After about 30 minutes I took it back to the sander to true up the glue block end and to round it, I also tapered the end that will go into the toaster, to about 1/16” about 1 – 1/2” back (not critical).

I then took it into the house and put a little Canola Oil on it.

That was cool so I went and got a Bocote one and sanded it and gave it the oil treatment. I rounded the Bocote one a little deeper into the side. I think I like it better.

Now to get the rest done so my wife can take 5 sets to Kansas City for her family and mine.

Could make great Christmas nick-nack gifts.

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †


40 comments so far

View David's profile

David

1982 posts in 1034 days


posted 771 days ago

Karson -

Very nice! I always like the detail yo put in your posts. Thanks!

David

-- http://foldingrule.blogspot.com

View DAN 's profile

DAN

6442 posts in 878 days


posted 771 days ago

Great posting and gift idea Karson ! you set the hook !!
Will run down stairs and make one right away. This will be a great x-mas gift idea. Every year we make about 12 fun boxes and put little gifts in them. Silly food, sardines, pickles, knick-knacks etc. In addition to my corn cobs pokes, this year everyone will get toaster tongs.

-- work from your heart and your spirit will live forever

View Karson's profile

Karson

25801 posts in 1296 days


posted 771 days ago

Dan post your picture here also. It would be great to see everyones variation.

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

View mot's profile

mot

4903 posts in 932 days


posted 771 days ago

That’s a great idea, Karson. Thanks for the detailed post. I love posted projects that have this sort of description. I usually just hit the eject button and try and catch the toast on the upswing, but your idea looks more practical, more consistent and would prevent the odd smoldering toast burn. Nice!

-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)

View DAN 's profile

DAN

6442 posts in 878 days


posted 771 days ago

First one is two strips of qtr-sawn white oak and a maple insert. Clamped and gluing … just in time for Hero’s ~

Used Rhino glue … my new favorite !! Should be dry when the shows over ….

-- work from your heart and your spirit will live forever

View Lee A. Jesberger's profile

Lee A. Jesberger

3710 posts in 875 days


posted 771 days ago

Hi Karson;

You’ve got some nice toys in your shop!

I meant tools, sorry.

Nice project!

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

View Karson's profile

Karson

25801 posts in 1296 days


posted 771 days ago

OK I finished sanding all of the nine sets of toaster tongs.

These are the PurpleHeart, some with oak crotch glue block and some with tiger maple.

And here are the Chechen also with a combination of glue blocks.

And total

Note to self. Purpleheart burns when you sand it. Run each piece over a jointer prior to resawing that strip off. The extra wasted wood is saved in sanding aggravation.

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

View rebekram's profile

rebekram

11 posts in 845 days


posted 771 days ago

They look very nice Dad. I do hope I am seeing a Christmas present early. I will pretend to be surprised!
Love ya!

View Karson's profile

Karson

25801 posts in 1296 days


posted 771 days ago

Now you’ve blown the surprise. So that’s one less I need to make. LOL You better get your request in for wood.

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

View Thos. Angle's profile

Thos. Angle

4013 posts in 858 days


posted 771 days ago

Well, Karson, I think I know what some folks are getting for Christmas this year. I’ve been looking for something that takes about this long. Thanks a heap.
Tom

-- Thos. Angle

View Karson's profile

Karson

25801 posts in 1296 days


posted 771 days ago

All nine done in about 1 1/2 hr.

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

View Dadoo's profile

Dadoo

1723 posts in 886 days


posted 771 days ago

The last time I saw something flaming, it was coming out of my garage!

Pretty slick project Karson! You’ve appeased your mother-in-law and can once again live in peace. For awhile.

-- Bob Vila would be so proud of you!

View DAN 's profile

DAN

6442 posts in 878 days


posted 771 days ago

One done, oilled and photoblog’d

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

-- work from your heart and your spirit will live forever

View Karson's profile

Karson

25801 posts in 1296 days


posted 771 days ago

Great Dan. Is the open end big enough to get around a piece of TEXAS Toast?

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

View DAN 's profile

DAN

6442 posts in 878 days


posted 771 days ago

I made it EGGO sized. That is what my wife Peggy feeds me every-morning-for-breakfast !!

-- work from your heart and your spirit will live forever

View scottb's profile

scottb

3402 posts in 1222 days


posted 771 days ago

aha! – thanks for the idea… something else to keep my salad tongs and spurtles company…

actually, these toaster tongs may stay out next to the toaster for quick access when needed – we use the toasters WAY more than the microwave (glorified clock/timer)

Great idea… after these, I may have to start making my own wooden spoons too! one step closer to my artisan house!

-- I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso -- http://blanchardcreative.etsy.com -- http://snbcreative.wordpress.com/

View lance's profile

lance

168 posts in 883 days


posted 771 days ago

Hi Karson,

Not only quite useful, but darn good looking.

Have a great day,

-- Bob Lance, DE

View MsDebbieP's profile

MsDebbieP

14159 posts in 1056 days


posted 771 days ago

Nice.
I, too, do the “eject and grab” method. This looks MUCH better.

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

View richardmylove's profile

richardmylove

15 posts in 813 days


posted 771 days ago

these are great!

-- wood is good

View PanamaJack's profile

PanamaJack

4447 posts in 973 days


posted 771 days ago

Great idea for Christmas for someone Karson!

-- Carpe Lignum - Seize The Wood,

View Zipsss's profile

Zipsss

112 posts in 1009 days


posted 771 days ago

Great simple project. I am cleaning my scrap short pile.

-- Zipsss

View coloradoclimber's profile

coloradoclimber

448 posts in 963 days


posted 771 days ago

Excellent post Karson.

It’s definitely that time of year, I’m out looking for ideas for nice, simple christmas gifts. This one fits the bill perfectly.

Everyone do post what you’ve made. Mostly because I want to see how they look. Seeing Karson’s I know I’m going to put together some out of Tiger Maple, those look cool.

What are the thoughts on wood to food compatibility? Any particular woods to avoid?

What type of glue would work best? I think you’d want something that you could get a little wet, seeing how it’s going to be in the kitchen and around food. What about glue strength? The joint is going to be stressed every time it is used. I’m thinking epoxy here? Would PVA be good enough? Urethane?

View Bob #2's profile

Bob #2

3041 posts in 917 days


posted 771 days ago

A unique and thoughtful gift Karson.
You might want to put one of thoee blind knife handle rivets in the joint.
They are brass and may add to decorative interest ans well a strength to the tongs.

Bob

-- A mind, like a home, is furnished by its owner

View DAN 's profile

DAN

6442 posts in 878 days


posted 771 days ago

Made a few more tongs last night before I went to bed. I had save some left-over strips of wenge and chunks of yellowheart. Glued em and they are waiting for sanding and finishing touches. Will post photo’s here a bit later. Great project Karson!

-- work from your heart and your spirit will live forever

View Karson's profile

Karson

25801 posts in 1296 days


posted 770 days ago

The original that my wife found had a staple in it and (no or about no) glue. I used Titebond II, maybe Titebond III would be a good choice. Titebond was easy to because about 10 seconds and it was stuck enough to put a clamp on it. Dan had a problem with the Poly glue, it was very slippery. He ended up clamping the open end also.

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

View DAN 's profile

DAN

6442 posts in 878 days


posted 770 days ago

Used the same basic recipe as Karsons tongs.
Blocks are about the same dimensions,... 1/2 and taper to 3/8 but the strips are about 1/2 wide.

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

-- work from your heart and your spirit will live forever

View Karson's profile

Karson

25801 posts in 1296 days


posted 770 days ago

What did you use as a finish Dan? and yes 3/4” width would not be a requirement. Whatever was handy.

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

View DAN 's profile

DAN

6442 posts in 878 days


posted 770 days ago

Mineral oil is I used.
Same stuff I used on my corn cob pokes and cutting board projects. Bought it at Walmart.

Read somewhere that mineral oil is made from soy beans. I grew up on a small farm in Iowa, so next to corn, soybeans are special >grin<.... Like pigs too, ... and the state flower and bird too… ( I’m too funny … yuk yuk yuk …. sic ….)

-- work from your heart and your spirit will live forever

View Don's profile

Don

2590 posts in 1072 days


posted 770 days ago

Thanks, Karson – I’ll definitely make these.

-- CanuckDon "I just love small wooden boxes!" http://www.hilsbiblechurch.org/

View Jon3's profile

Jon3

439 posts in 1001 days


posted 756 days ago

Here are mine!

View Nils's profile

Nils

138 posts in 760 days


posted 756 days ago

Karson – I love the chechen ones! – that’s a wood I want to investigate. This is definitely a great project for the fast approaching Christmas rush.

-- Nils Davis, Menlo Park, CA

View Karson's profile

Karson

25801 posts in 1296 days


posted 755 days ago

Nils I made a mistake. the wood that I identified as Chechen was really Bocote. It wasn’t until I started to cut up some more that I realized my mistake.

I have cut some chechen but haven’t put them together yet..

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

View Gary's profile

Gary

446 posts in 1220 days


posted 755 days ago

Y’all are having too much fun; I’ll have to make a few of those too.
Thanks for the inspiration Karson. ;-)
Gary

-- Gary, Florida

View Douglas Bordner's profile

Douglas Bordner

3424 posts in 959 days


posted 750 days ago

With little adaptation the toaster tong can become an Art Ploonker

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
which is indispensable for the creation of “Jar Fairies”.

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Don’t worry folks, I made the ploonker (used to place dainty flowers and lace into a glue bed at the bottom of a frillied-up glass jar). My wife Pam (staunchthrowback@flickr.com) made the fairy. I am happy about the division of labor.

-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.

View Karson's profile

Karson

25801 posts in 1296 days


posted 749 days ago

Another great utilization of the great tongs.

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

View Dusty56's profile

Dusty56

3466 posts in 583 days


posted 469 days ago

Another wonderful project to add to my list …great way to use up a bunch of scraps : ) thank you Karson !!!

-- You know you're getting old when you know the difference between you're (you are) and your (belonging to you) AND how to use them in a sentence .

View PurpLev's profile

PurpLev

2759 posts in 544 days


posted 247 days ago

nice one done!

Whooha! that is one beefy (carbide?) bandsaw blade…. what’s the size on that ? 3/4? what are you running it on?

-- When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.

View Karson's profile

Karson

25801 posts in 1296 days


posted 246 days ago

The blade is a 1 1/4” Laguna Resaw King blade. About $1.75 per inch.

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

View Peter O's profile

Peter O

1022 posts in 770 days


posted 246 days ago

Cool! I’m putting them on my “fun gifts projects” list.

-- http://www.north40custom.com -- http://north40studios.etsy.com --

View Dustmite97's profile

Dustmite97

181 posts in 116 days


posted 56 days ago

Look great Karson. I made a couple of these and they really come in handy.

-- Remember, measure twice, cut once

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