Why does nobody talk about the cost of a proper forge setup?

I was chatting with a farrier from Montana at a clinic yesterday, and he mentioned he spent over $8,000 just on his gas forge and power hammer setup. He said, 'You can't do custom work with just a hand hammer and a torch.' It hit me that I've been limiting my shoeing jobs for years because my gear is too basic. How do you all handle the jump to bigger, more expensive tools?

3 comments

3 Comments

hernandez.troy17d ago

That farrier is right about needing the right tools for custom work. I read an article where a guy said he saved for two years to buy a power hammer, and it changed his whole business. Isn't it a trade-off between taking on debt now or losing jobs for years while you save up slow? My buddy in welding faced the same thing with his rig. You just have to decide if the work you're missing out on is worth the loan payment every month.

nina14716d ago

It's the same with any trade, really. People get stuck in this loop where they can't take better jobs without the gear, but can't afford the gear without the jobs. I see it all the time with guys trying to start out on their own. The smart ones find a way to finance the one big tool that opens doors, even if it hurts for a year. The alternative is staying small forever.

morgan.mary14d ago

Just call it the "you gotta spend money to make money" trap!