January 2, 200818 yr Check this out on eBay... GIANT ANTIQUE BLACKSMITH FIREPLACE FORGE BELLOWS - eBay (item 280086325474 end time Jan-18-08 20:14:35 PST) This is not the first time they have been listed either... hmmm, wonder why they didn't sell before... They would be nice to have though!
January 2, 200818 yr Pretty proud of it ain't he? $3999 "Buy it now" price. Am guessing someone will buy it later :D
January 2, 200818 yr It wouldn't work if it hung from the hook. It hangs from the 2 rods out each side and the bottom is pulled up to fill the top section. There is a divider in the center that the 2 pins are on. The top section is clear and the weight of it comes down to push the air out the tube in the end. The pulling of the chain lifts the bottom, fills the top and the top comes down on its own and that way their is a steady supply of air for the forge. Their are flap valves to direct the air the right way through. It might be real, hard to tell without getting right up close. Someone has made a table out of it though.
January 2, 200818 yr Good call stretch. I didn't read very close. Actually the hook would be linked to the lever that operated the bellows and he has them upside down. You tell him LOL.
January 4, 200818 yr Having done my apprenticeship on a bona-fide, pre- 1890's set of bellows, seen many more true antiques, and built several sets of double bellows myself, I would verify first the details of the item. There are many features that to me would be questionable. That being said, if you want a set of bellows to USE, AND you can get them for the right price......................
January 4, 200818 yr $4000.....I wouldn't pay that much even if he had the whole smithy to go with it LOL, some people think just cause something is old or looks old that it must be worth a lot of money. welder19
January 4, 200818 yr Author Just to clarify...I DO believe this is a REAL bellows, no doubt. I use one this size, maybe a tad bit larger even, when I work at the Dallas Historical Village in Dallas, Texas. What I was referring to was the price of the thing. It's like most all of the "old" forge ezuipment on eBay, rediculously over priced. But then most of the items are selling....
January 5, 200818 yr Why is it that these yuppie antique dealers have a penchant for turning these old bellows into coffee tables and selling them to other yuppies? I have seen the "bellows/coffee table" thing a few times now, makes me wonder if there is just one source and maybe find this chap to have a little talk with him out back... Or maybe get on the bandwagon and start making bellows coffee tables for four grand a pop! Could be lucrative. But I don't think I could bring myself to destroy these rare antiques for a quick buck.:mad:Dan.
January 5, 200818 yr It proves what a wise man once said. "There's a sucker born every minute." Finnr
January 7, 200818 yr 2 years ago, my wife and I went to a garage sale. The best garage sale I have ever been to. There was a forge bellow there that was approximatle 5' in diameter. All of it was there, it just needed put back together. The guy started to restore it and I guess he lost interest. I would have it now if my wife were not with me. She just said where would you put it? I hung my head and walked away. I would also have a 15" craftsman planer. They were asking $50 each. She just didn't understand. Instead we left with a couple of antique chairs and a bunch of hangers for peg boards. Oh, and an old cast iron door from a boiler. My wife thought it was neat. Oh well. I guess I'm a bit whipped. I did leave with a couple of ladles. She hung them on the wall in the house. Fred
January 7, 200818 yr Bah don't hang your head You are better off with a a little 110 blower from Gringers to run your coal forge. keepin the the old lady happy is always smart. Just think now you have leverage for a new purchase with the ground you gave last time. Look on the plus side YO
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