Who recommends brake drum forges and why?
Many blacksmith websites are run by (and for) hobby smiths posing as masters or highly experienced blacksmiths. Most ‘experienced’ hobby smiths that participate in the internet forums are unanimous in pushing the beginner to start with a brake drum forge. They would have the beginner believe that a ‘brake drum’ forge and a cheap hair dryer are a good substitute for a real blacksmiths bottom blast forge and blower. Many of these hobby websites have a slick ‘professional’ web design appearance that causes the newbie to think he or she is getting the best advice. Any attempts to point out serious flaws in brake drum forges are immediately attacked by the regular participants in the chat rooms and discussion forums. Any newcomer that dares to question the use of a brake drums in forge design, is immediately and brutally attacked and humiliated until he/she submits or goes away. The brake drum people always claim to have years of experience using brake drum forges on a daily basis and makin
