Frosty, I have used this trick at work to heat exterior equipment panels (Cold sensitive monitoring equipment) that I don't want to get too hot. I use a 6" by 10" 1/8" steel plate to dispers the heat from a magnetic block heater, that way I don't get too much heat in one spot. Im thinking mabye the plate and 2 block heaters turned on a few hours before I light the forge. Perhaps the plate isn't needed.
Francis, I was absolutly disgusted with the rivet by second swing! Oh well, live and learn.