Wow, thanks for all the ideas!!!
I hope to unpack the forge tomorrow and possible try some of these ideas in the next couple of weeks. It is funny that I have been building gates and railings for years and have created some equipment and machines to make it easier but never really did much forging. I guess it is because of the time factor to learn. I did what I know and kind of stuck with it. Now as a teacher of welding I have more time to play and am getting equipment that I would never have bought on my own. It is fun and I love hammering steal. Mostly we have been doing cold forging, making scrolls, roses, and twisting bar stock, but with a forge I hope to really take it to the next level. Any suggestions to further my education on forging (you tube)? The youth just finished a bench and are starting on another tomorrow. We cold forged the arms with some of the dies I have made, but it was real work.
Thanks again, I wish I could see some of the ideas you are discussing.