An adaptation is described of standard remote-handling tongs to enable manipulations to be performed in a high vacuum or high purity environment. A variety of operations is possible using commercially available tong attachments or by modifications to an existing attachment. The tong assembly described has been used successfully in a vacuum of better than 10 μtorr over the full range of 15 inch axial movement and 40° solid angle deflection. If necessary, the maximum axial and angular movements can be increased by appropriate design modifications.