Agreed. Had the forge up by day 10, lvl 23, and had a ton of fun getting there.
Same day I tackled the hardware store:
3x Iron Pickaxe
2x Sledge Hammer
2x Nail Gun
1x Wrench
1x Hoe
1x Steel Shovel
1x Wire Tool
1x Fireaxe
50+ rebar, 2x Steel Doors and an Anvil.
Just that 1 POI.