If you are interested in melting iron I suggest the book Iron Melting Cupola Furnaces for the Small Foundry by Stephen Chastain, ISBN #0-9702203-0-8. I found the best price at Alibris Books. As to clay crucibles you can get a helpful book from Lindsy Publications on how to make them plus plans for bronze melting furnaces and other good metal working subjects. Have fun and be careful as molten iron is really very hot.
Be sure to have a full set of leathers, face shield, leather soled boots and tape the laces so no little globs get inside. Love that molten metal.
