Dropped $80 on a fancy coal rake and it was a waste

I bought this super nice coal rake from a guy online who said it was hand forged and perfect for regulating fire temps. Cost me $80 and I thought it would be a game changer for my forge. Got it in the mail and it was way too short for my fire pot, plus the handle felt flimsy after just two heats. I ended up going back to my old beat up length of rebar that I bent into shape. That old thing works better and cost me nothing. Has anyone else been burned by buying fancy tools that just don't perform like your old junk?

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2 Comments

drew_chen4mo ago

My buddy spent $120 on a "pro grade" anvil from some instagram blacksmith and it chipped on the first hammer strike. Meanwhile I'm still using this beat up chunk of railroad track I found at a scrapyard for $15. Sometimes the best tools are the ones that have been through hell and back.

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xena9464mo ago

Cast iron vs forged steel, maybe that's why it chipped.

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