In Borderlands 4, few early-game fights stand out like the Foundry Freaks encounter. The trio—Frank the Furnace, Hank the Welder, and Sal the Engineer—guard a Ripper drill site crawling with enemies and loot. Each boss has its quirks, but Frank the Furnace is the biggest threat and the key to some of the best legendary drops in the Fadefields.
Foundry Freaks Location
The Foundry Freaks are found at The Pitted Stain Ripper Drill Site, on the southern edge of Idolator’s Noose in the Fadefields—the first region of Kairos.
You can reach this area early in the campaign, and it’s an ideal farming spot once unlocked.
To summon the Freaks, clear out the waves of Rippers infesting the drill site. When the area is nearly wiped clean, the trio will surface from underground and attack simultaneously.
If you want a rematch, return later and use Moxxi’s Big Encore Machine near the camp entrance. It lets you respawn the bosses for a fee that scales with your level, topping out around $30,000 for level 50 Vault Hunters.
Boss Lineup and Abilities
| Boss | Role | Notable Traits |
|---|---|---|
| Frank the Furnace | Heavy AOE fire attacker | Launches explosive fire orbs; slow but punishing. |
| Hank the Welder | Aggressive melee psycho | Uses jetpack charges and short-range flame bursts. |
| Sal the Engineer | Mid-range support | Employs flamethrower sweeps and quick dashes. |
Frank leads from the back, lobbing incendiary projectiles that blanket the arena in flames. Hank and Sal push close, forcing you to stay mobile. If you go down, weaker Rippers continue spawning—use them for Second Wind recovery instead of clearing them all too soon.
Best Strategy to Defeat the Foundry Freaks
1. Target Weaknesses
All three bosses carry dual health bars—yellow (armor) and red (health).
- Use Corrosive weapons to melt their armor quickly.
- Switch to Incendiary for the flesh phase.
Avoid pure fire weapons; Frank is resistant to his own element.
2. Control the Field
Keep your distance using jump packs or slide-dodges to avoid Hank’s lunges and Sal’s flame sweeps. When possible, climb the nearby drill platforms for cover and vantage points.
3. Focus Fire Order
Take out Hank first—his mobility makes him the most disruptive. Then eliminate Sal, whose flamethrower can trap you in corners. Leave Frank for last; he’s easier to kite once the others are gone.
4. Exploit Frank’s Weak Spot
Frank’s furnace module on his back is a critical hit zone. Flank him and aim there to end the fight faster.
All Legendary Drops
Each member of the Foundry Freaks can drop the same three legendaries, giving triple the chances per run.
| Legendary | Type | Special Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Chaumurky | Grenade Mod | Incessant – Continuously homes in on enemies after being thrown. |
| Chuck | Assault Rifle (Tediore) | Pitcher – Cannot fire normally; instead, you throw the gun for explosive impact. |
| Bloody Lumberjack | Assault Rifle (Daedalus) | Timber – Shoots saw blades that ricochet and hit enemies twice. |
Bloody Lumberjack is the star of the set—its bouncing sawblades shred groups and elite mobs alike. Chuck is perfect for Tediore builds or Rafa mains with gun-throw perks. Chaumurky, while weaker, fits grenade-centric loadouts needing reliable tracking.
Quick Farming Tips: Frank the Furnace Borderlands 4
- Use Encore Machine Respawns: Instantly retry the fight for more rolls without replaying story missions.
- Bring Loot Boost Gear: Equip artifacts or shields with drop-rate modifiers before activating the machine.
- Stay for Extra Legendaries: Besides the dedicated loot, world-drop Legendaries often appear here due to the triple-boss setup.
- Save Weak Rippers: Keep one alive for quick revival via Second Wind.
The Foundry Freaks encounter combines accessible farming, multiple bosses, and some of Borderlands 4’s most entertaining loot effects. Whether you’re chasing early Legendaries or refining an end-game build, Frank the Furnace’s arena remains one of the most efficient and rewarding grind spots on Kairos. Play Now!
