Switched from a hand crank blower to an electric fan for my forge last spring

For years I used this old hand crank blower my grandpa gave me. Thought it built character or whatever. Then my shoulder started killing me after a day of forging, so I grabbed a $60 fan from Tractor Supply in March. Now I get way more consistent airflow and my fires burn hotter. Anyone else make the switch and notice a big difference in their work?

3 comments

3 Comments

dylan_sanchez19d ago

Oh man that reminds me of my buddy Rick. He had this old hand crank from his dad and was dead set on using it for years. Last summer he finally broke down and got a used electric fan off FB Marketplace for like $40. First time he fired it up he said his forge hit welding heat in like half the time and he just stood there laughing. He kept saying he felt like an idiot for not doing it sooner. His shoulders are probably thanking him now too.

emma_wells8319d ago

I totally feel you on that "builds character" mindset (I told myself the same thing for way too long). My shoulder started giving me grief too, and switching to electric was honestly a game changer for my forging sessions. It's wild how much easier and more consistent the whole process gets when you're not fighting the blower the whole time.

quinn16117d ago

Drove hours to grab a crapy old electric blower and @dylan_sanchez wasn't kidding, total night and day