Forging Carver Posted January 23, 2016 Share Posted January 23, 2016 This guy is selling a champion 400 on Craigslist for $285. He says it works great. Is this a good price? If not what should I counter with? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forging Carver Posted January 23, 2016 Author Share Posted January 23, 2016 Alright, unfortunately at the moment I don't have the cash right now. I am sure there will be others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yesteryearforge Posted January 24, 2016 Share Posted January 24, 2016 Blower of choice on all of my coal forges Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forging Carver Posted January 24, 2016 Author Share Posted January 24, 2016 I really hope it is still available once I get the $285. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Ivan Posted January 24, 2016 Share Posted January 24, 2016 That's a pretty standard cost for a complete and working blower. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SReynolds Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 More like 100-150 around northern ohio unless you have something real real nice. The" real real" nice ones I see have broken parts and a handle resembling a bolt and section of pipe. Not nice in my book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 Ohio is the happy hunting grounds for smithing stuff. It had a large population of farmers and industry during the height of blacksmithing and a fairly gentle slide down so not as much stuff got scrapped for eating money.. Prices used to be really really good but the internet has raised them a bit as the "local" market is now being based on country wide price info... I was very lucky to stock up when prices were still local; especially since I moved to a desert of blacksmithing stuff... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGGUNDOCTOR Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 Out West here I have seen them for less- $150 range. A guy had one listed last year for $250, and the listing was up for probably 6 months. It never sold. The last two blowers ( not 400's) I bought off Craigslist were still attached to a big Champion, and Buffalo forges-I bought both forges for $75, and $125. I found my 400 at an automotive swap meet for $30, and I recently bought a really nice smooth running Lancaster blower in Utah where I work for a friend, and paid $50. Deals are out there if you are patient. What it really gets down to is do you want to spend that much on just a blower? You can make bellows, or if you have electricity available you can be running with a $1 garage sale hair dryer. Personally I wouldn't spend that much for one, ever. The way I look at it , that money could be better spent on a lot of other tools, and air can be moved for a lot less money. I have seen blowers made from wood, and driven with a belt and pulleys. For someone just starting out I would hate to see them dump that much on just a blower alone. I just picked up an item yesterday that I plan on turning into a hand cranked blower, and make a blueprint if it works out. This one could be built for around $10 if you actually have to pay for the materials. I am going to use commonly found items that get tossed out across the country. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SReynolds Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 What you need to be aware of with the 400 is that they are made with four sets of ball bearings. The balls are easily replaced, but not the race. It is glass hard and will most likely be pitted and make more noise than a freight train on a clear and cold January night. Some folks say (read that "for real"?) that they have polished the races. I took mine to a machine shop and the owner said I was crazy after he attempted to dress them. So you replace the balls and run the pitted races and all that grinding gets to you after a time. I have two quiet 400's that I'd be willing to part with for say...........800.00 each. Even I rarely use them they are so nice.The best I have found is the cheapola units by Champion. The Eureka blower. No ball bearings. Super quiet. Super smooth. REAL REAL nice to use all day long. Read that "nine hours of use" Pictured is a nice original 400 somebody painted which I traded a ton of tools for and a Eureka blower bolted onto a forge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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