A lot of forging success depends on the thinking you do as you crank your blower and heat your stock. You need to have already decided how to use the current heat beforethe metal gets to the anvil. It can also be helpful to use modeling clay or wax (made into the size of stock you are using) to work out "how to" problems or to determine the amount of stock or the size. You can "cold forge" while you watch TV.. (I used to have students do this to show they understood the problem). Dont worry about struggling as you learn.. it's part of the process.. just take one problem or mistake at a time and take satisfaction in the progress you make. Oh.. don't try to forge cold metal.. once you don't feel it move under your hammer, take a bit of time to tidy it up and put it back in the fire and think about what your next step will be.
