PaulE

I've had numerous small forges and I clayed the first one with high temp refactory cement, water eventually got underneath the cement and started to rust out the pan. I've never cemented another and never had any problems, no cracking or warping the pan.

Used petroleum coke in the past, came from a lime kiln. The stuff smelled bad of deisel when burning, tried mixing with coal and the smell was still there. Finally found a good source of met coke out of New York , our group pulled together and ordered 22 tons. The coke is a dream to use, forge welds easily, clean , no smoke .

Garden gate hooks, gate latches, hoof picks made out of old horse shoes, BBQ spatula, ect. When I demo at the local Thershing Bee I make things for the type of people that live in the area such as ranchers, farmers, ect. 

We have a group out of Rapid City, South Dakota. Dakota Artist Blacksmith Association. Near were the conference was held last summer.