Hand crank vs. motorized forge blower, the noise test at 2am

After my neighbor knocked on my garage door at 2am last month, I had to pick between keeping my noisy electric blower or switching to an antique hand crank unit. I went with the crank and spent three sessions this week redoing my fire management because the airflow is totally different, way steadier but slower to ramp up. Has anyone else made this swap and figured out a rhythm for even heats with a hand crank?

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1 Comment

williams.sage1mo ago

Honestly, I saw a blacksmithing forum where a guy said hand cranks are way easier on neighbors but tougher on your arm.