The tongs have cooperating arms (1) with an operating cylinder (2) and a counter-holder (2'). They incorporate stamping, cutting, or electrode welding tools (3) at their relatively displaced ends (A,A'). The opposite ends (B,B') of the arms are pushed apart by a reaction cylinder (5) and held together by a tension band (4). The reaction cylinder provides a force which maintains the symmetry axes of the tools in alignment.