My first forge

[thompsonblades]

Second: I think you are forgetting about the importance of the "off" switch.

Third: I do agree. I'm hoping to buy one for my forge, but my budget is microscopic right now.

Thank you everyone for the advice!

I pulled my blower out of an old gas furnace, so I got it for free. Its electric, but the motor has a shaft at both end. The other end had another, even smaller bllower on it to make sure that no gasses built up in the compartment. Anyways, all you'd need to do is mount it on a board like I did and add a crank to make it a hand blower. Or, if all you need is short blasts, an air compressor does ok.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Joey,
Until you actually run a coal forge with a crank blower, you will have no idea how much control it gives you. While an electric blower and a fan control will allow the forge air supply to be raised and lowered, and the switch will give you on and off, it is nothing like the finesse of a hand crank. If you ever get a chance to use one at another's makers shop, try it just once for fun.

That said, most folks go with the blower and control route.
Stacy