fencing12

I don't have pics cuz I'm taking classes right now. But I live close to Chicago. The general shape is like a 2.5' by 1' by around 10" half of a cylinder with a single hole in the middle for airflow, if that helps at all.

I'm using charcoal briquettes

I decided I wanted to get into blacksmithing and tried to DIY a forge. It is made with a half of a trashcan lined with about an 1.5" of refractory cement. It has one hole for airflow (powered by a hair fan). The main problem, I think, is that it is an open top and this leads to a lot of heat loss. Is there any cheap way to create a top to stop the loss? The forge is around 3 feet by 1 foot. I would prefer to spend under 50 bucks. Thanks

Sorry if this topic has been beaten to death, but I want to get into blacksmithing, and want to take a basic course before I build my own forge. Are there any courses around Chicago, or people who would be willing to teach me? I'm 17 by the way. Thanks