Thanks Mike and Frosty! I am just a beginner and have been reading a lot on here along with the YouTube videos. I am very leary of a lot of so called experts and tend to question everything. That said I have never had a problem asking a question to people that know more than me and that is a lot of people on here for sure.
I think my first actual use of this forge, before these improvements, I kind of rushed my metal into the forge. I didn't get a very even heat. I know moving the metal around would have helped some, but allowing the forge to get fully heated up would have allowed my metal to heat more evenly without over heating in a couple of spots. I didn't understand those sparklers coming out of my forge were caused by the metal burning. Live and learn. I am also going to get some bricks to use as doors next.
Bill
So if I am reading this right Mikey, you are saying I should add a layer of kastolite on the ends of the forge as well? The kaowool does have some cracks on the end, but being flush with the outer shell I would be sticking out if I added a layer of kastolite. I guess a 1/4" layer wouldn't hurt anything, but it would be easier to damage. I had figured to just cover the cracks and ends with a coat or two of the plastex.