Had a chat with my neighbor about my new forge hood

I was showing off the new hood I built for my backyard forge, and my neighbor, who's a baker, just stared at it for a minute. He said, 'You know, that's basically just a giant, angry oven vent.' I'd never thought of it that way, but he's totally right. It kind of made me laugh and rethink my whole 'serious industrial equipment' vibe. Anyone else have a non-smith put your gear into a weird new light?

3 comments

3 Comments

paul_stone292mo ago

Giant angry oven vent" is perfect. It really shows how most tools are just specialized versions of simpler things. Kinda takes the mystery out of it in a fun way.

thompson.brian2mo ago

Yeah, that "specialized versions" thing is so true. It's more like we just keep finding new ways to aim air at stuff.

mason_barnes23d ago

Totally hear you on this. Had a buddy who works on HVAC systems look at my propane forge and go "Oh, that's just a really hot air mover with a fuel injector." Completely ruined my tough blacksmith vibe. Now every time I fire it up I just picture a giant hair dryer aimed at some steel. He also called my anvil a "fancy doorstop with a bad attitude.