I've just moved to London and am finding it hard to find a workshop - does anyone know of any space in one? Or does anyone also have this problem? Could we join together and start a new forge? I'm really looking forward to getting back into making, having been away for the past 6 months doing other things, and I'm getting itchy!

I just received the new infrared pyrometer I ordered last week. What a dandy little item!

The thing reads from about 50 below zero to just a frog hair over 3000 degrees Fahrenheit by infrared emissivity scanning and also has an optional (included) Type K thermocouple rated from 60 below to 2500 F. It has an output port to a PC for temp logging and other functions too, though I don't yet know how useful that all is - haven't tried it. All that for under $200 with shipping. Amazing, really.

Stainless tea container lined with kaowool and ceramic board. Modifications: will be moving the torch inlet up above the ceramic board (currently tunneled-not effective at all) and possibly widening vent at top and/or adding a blower.

I'm about to start a project building a propane metal forge. This is the latest in a flurry of activity brought on by tragedy. I recently lost a very good friend at work when he unexpectedly passed away. This left a coveted opening on day shift that I was able to move to. This change in working hours has had an unexpected effect on me after working night shift for 14 years: I have energy again. My wife just thinks I've gone crazy. Maybe it's because I build a spud gun last week, I dunno.