StompTheFire

What are all the essential safety precautions i should know before i attempt my first build? Including the equipment and some tips you guys might have, cheers  :)

For a starter forge which would be easier/cost worthy to build, one out of fire bricks or a propane tank?

Thank you everybody for your very informative thoughts, I will be posting some pictures once my forge is completed! 

Appreciate all the feedback, If you could give me a basic list of things that are necessary for your own smithing setup. A rough estimate of the price of all the items that would be fantastic. Remind you all I'm on a budget.

I turned 18 yesterday and I've always been interested in blacksmithing so tomorrow I'm going out to buy some items to assemble my own forge in the backyard. My neighbors one of those elderly gentlemen who's basement is the holy grail of tools, he's nicely offered to lend me his railway anvil and a hammer till I can afford my own. I was wondering how many of you are fully committed to this craft, as in make a living off it. Is it still possible in todays high-tech standard to make a living off such an old skill as blacksmithing? I've decided to take up blacksmithing courses at my local community college as a way to start.