Found a 1920s forge bellows in an old barn near Boise

I was helping a buddy clear out his grandpa's barn last weekend and we uncovered a huge, hand-operated bellows tucked behind some hay bales. It's got a wooden frame and leather that's stiff but not cracked, with the maker's stamp still clear on the side. I've only ever used electric blowers, so seeing this old setup made me wonder how different the heat control must have been. Has anyone here actually worked with one of these, and is it worth trying to restore?

3 comments

3 Comments

ray_williams1d ago

Honestly phoenix_bailey is right about the oil, but you gotta check for dry rot in the wood first. Tbh if the frame is solid, getting that leather working again is a game changer for detail work.

phoenix_bailey1d ago

My buddy restored one he found in a Vermont farmhouse. He had to soak the leather in neatsfoot oil for a week to get it pliable again, but once he did, he said the control was amazing. You could get a really soft, even heat for forge welding that's hard to match with a modern blower. It's a lot of work, but totally worth it if you have the patience.

the_terry1d ago

That "soft, even heat" thing is real. My friend's grandpa used one for making old-school hinges and said you could practically feel the metal getting ready to weld.