Dang ! you done good.now here it comes,sure like your forge have you thought about cutting the opening bigger?just the upper corners say at a 45degree angle from the bottom
it should give you a bit more access.hit the pawn shops and find a bit bigger hammer and shorten the handle like you are use to and you won't have to work quite as hard.them other fellers are right about the tongs,you do good work,tongs should not be a problem for you. hit the auto salvage yards for jack handles or pop oult some old trunk lid springs.they used to be 3/8 round rod not sure on the newer ones.you will need to use a BIG screwdriver to pop them out..again good job,be careful