I was thinking of just making a forge/kiln out of an igloo-style brick creation mounted on layers of cynderblock. Do you think that will work well? Though that's only by comparison... I'm not looking to do professional work, I just want to make some metal hot and pound on it. From that armature perspective, my search criteria wideness considerably.
Is there some state-wide blacksmith second-hand trade store chain? Besides the kiln, I need a good hammer, anvil and tongs to get started, and I have no idea where to look. I was thinking a horseshoeing depot; they use blacksmith tools a lot.