Can we talk about buying a cheap forge vs a good one

I saved up and bought a nice propane forge for about $800 last year. It heats evenly and holds temp, which made my work way better. My friend got a $300 one online and it's always breaking down, so he's spent more fixing it. But he says the extra cash wasn't worth it for a hobbyist. What's your take, is the expensive forge a must-have or a money pit?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_thea1mo ago

Buy cheap, buy twice, right? Or is that just what the expensive forge companies want you to think?

ninas671mo ago

Yeah, I'm totally with you and @the_thea on this. I went the cheap route first and the lining cracked in like two months (it was such a pain). Upgrading to a solid one felt like a totally different hobby, since I wasn't constantly fighting hot spots or worrying about it falling apart mid-project.

the_amy1mo ago

My cheap one was a total lemon, so I guess I'm the poster child for that buy twice saying.