Jacob1

I looked and the closest farrier supply is 140 miles away and I can't really justify driving that far for begging a hobby and I don't have the means to drive there

Thanks for the info I was under the impression that coal does not work with side blast due to clinker but I'm glad to hear that is not the case 

I plan on building a solid fuel forge soon and tractor supply sells anthracite coal but no bituminous in my area and charcoal is expensive to buy but I have the means to make charcoal. I want to decide on one type  of fuel because I've read here that certain forge designs  are better suited to coal or charcoal 

I have not but I will now

Probably not I just want to make a cheap portable forge that won’t be super heavy 

So I saw this video on making a charcoal forge 

and I know that plaster of Paris and sand sucks as refractory but could I do a similar design only slightly larger with clay ?

and if not what are some other refractories that could be used 

Do you need an air source for a charcoal forge 

What would be a good beginners project ?

Ok thank you

Yes but I’m in Virginia 

Thanks I found a place to buy it online 

Where can I find railroad track 

Ok thanks

Where can you find metal suitable for blacksmithing.  Can you buy it at any stores ?

Would rebar work for making your own tongs ?

What would be good as a first pair of tongs or some other way to hold stuff 

Ok thanks very much 

Can you use regular charcoal briquettes as fuel for a forge ?

Thanks 

ok cool wanted to ask before I went ahead and built something 

Would it be possible to make a scaled down version of the box of dirt forges ?

will definitely check out all the links and recommendations thanks

Cool thanks for all the information 

Ok thank you for telling me that 

Thank you very much Glenn for your recommendations  and in your opinion would a harbor freight anvil be good as a first anvil