Wasted 300 bucks on a forge blower I should have known better

Back in 2018 I got it in my head I needed a fancy electric blower for my coal forge... bought one of those big cast iron ones off an online auction for 300 dollars. Thing was loud as a freight train and moved way too much air for my little setup. I spent three weekends trying to rig a gate valve to slow it down and it just choked the motor. Ended up giving it to a buddy who runs a much bigger shop. What I shoulda done was just build a simple hand crank from old plans... they work fine and cost like 20 bucks in scrap. Anyone else fall for a pricey tool that didn't fit their actual needs?

3 comments

3 Comments

xena3731mo ago

Oh man, @william_jackson65 that really is a bummer! I did something similar with a high-dollar anvil once. Bought this massive 200 pounder thinking it would be amazing, but it was way too tall for my short frame and I kept hitting my knuckles on the horn. Had to sell it at a loss and ended up with a little 75 pound beater that works perfect. Sometimes you gotta learn the hard way that bigger ain't better, especially when it comes to your own space and setup.

wyattrobinson1mo ago

Bigger anvils just ring better for what I do honestly.

william_jackson651mo ago

Man that stings, I feel your pain on expensive gear that doesn't match the job.