Mike Finnegan joins The Fabricator Podcast live from the PRI Show in Indianapolis. The long-time host of Motor Trend's Roadkill series on YouTube, discusses his background in journalism and media, how he taught himself welding and fabrication skills, and his current focus on his Finnegan's Garage YouTube channel. The conversation also includes insights from guest co-host Tom Patsis of Cold Hard Art on his experience working with specialized materials like titanium and the time he build a trophy that Finnegan won in a drag race against Jon Chase of Hoonigan.

The episode covers topics ranging from boat racing to the ingenuity of the manufacturing industry, highlighting the breadth of knowledge and passion for hands-on work that exists in the fabrication community.

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On this episode of The Fabricator Podcast, Aaron Montello of Jet Edge Waterjet Systems joins us with Paxton Shantz of Beckhoff to talk about water jet cutting machines in the sheet metal fabrication industry and how automation is helping drive the technology.

This episode was recorded at FABTECH 2024 in Orlando, Fla. Learn more about our sponsor Beckhoff.

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This episode of The Fabricator Podcast features a conversation with Dustin De Haan of Trick-Tools, a company that distributes tube benders and other metal fabrication tools. The discussion covers Trick-Tools' experience serving a wide range of customers from hobbyists to large manufacturers, and the role of tube bending and fabrication in the racing and automotive industries. The podcast also touches on Trick-Tools' history, the growing demand for in-house fabrication capabilities, and how the company works with small shops, race teams, and large corporations.

This episode was recorded at FABTECH 2024 in Orlando, Fla. Learn more about our sponsor Pro-Tools.

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Chris Zeppieri of Make Everything joins us on this episode of The Fabricator Podcast to talk about his fabrication shop in New York, his popular YouTube channel, and educating people interested in working with their hands.

He goes into detail about his early days working in construction and how that led to growing his business with creating how-to videos, social media, digital marketing, and becoming a respected brand ambassador. He also talks about his growing vise collection and his appearance on the short-lived show Assembly Required with Tim Allen with Richard Karn.

At the top, Josh Welton talks about an unfortunate workplace injury and how he bounced back from it.

This episode was recorded at FABTECH 2024 in Orlando, Fla. Learn more about our sponsor Paperless Parts.

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Demi Knight Clark joined us on The Fabricator Podcast to talk about her efforts to open career pathways in the welding and manufacturing industries to people of all backgrounds and genders.

She talks about how her grandmother's work as a Rosie the Riveter during World War II fueled Clark's own interest in the trades, pivoting from a career in construction, focusing on workforce development initiatives that engage underrepresented populations, and partnering with welder Nate Bowman on initiatives with Lincoln Electric, Goodwill Industries, Marketing Metal, and more.

Clark emphasizes the need for more inclusive recruiting, welcoming environments, and mentorship to attract and retain a diverse workforce in the skilled trades. Her mission is to "put welding in places where welding is not" and inspire the next generation to see the opportunities in modern manufacturing.

This episode was recorded at FABTECH 2024 in Orlando, Fla.

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On this episode of the Fabricator Podcast, Blake Hamar, the founder of Cali Raised LED and Apex Fabworks, joins us to talk about starting a manufacturing business in high school, growing it into a successful aftermarket and job shop operation, and implementing an unconventional management structure.

Hamar started his business in high school while attending boarding school in California, selling LED light bars for trucks. He then expanded into manufacturing brackets and other truck accessories, eventually moving the operation to Texas. Hamar's company, which has an average employee age of 23, has embraced automation and a non-traditional, non-hierarchical management structure.

The company focuses on rapidly developing new products for the truck aftermarket, with a particular emphasis on Toyota vehicles. Despite his young age, Hamar has demonstrated a knack for growing the business and leveraging technology to increase productivity and efficiency.

This episode is brought to you by MC Machinery Systems, a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Corporation.

This episode was recorded at FABTECH 2024 in Orlando, Fla.

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Metal artist Sarah Stork joins The Fabricator Podcast to talk about creating intricate, lifelike sculptures using welding techniques.

The Texas-based artist discusses how she stumbled into sculpting through a welding class and has since honed her skills to produce detailed dozens of works like a blue heron with thousands of individually welded feathers, large intimidating cassowary, endless amounts of stingrays. Stork also chats about how she relies on hand tools, hammers, and welding processes like MIG and TIG to capture the organic forms of her animal subjects.

Stork expresses her passion for sharing her knowledge and encouraging young people, especially women, to explore welding and metalworking as creative outlets. She views events like FABTECH as valuable opportunities to connect with other artists and continue learning.

At the top, Jordan Yost of Precision Tube Laser joins us again to talk about his own venture into metal art, including a piece he created for our podcast studio.

This episode was recorded at FABTECH 2024 in Orlando, Fla.

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Nate Bowman and Kyle Worzala join Dan Davis and Josh Welton to talk about 3M Clash of the Grinders, a student-based competition sponsored by 3M that teaches proper grinding techniques and safety. It features 12 contestants who receive hands-on training from industry experts.

Bowman, known as the Weld Scientist, hosted Season 2, and Worzala, a welding instructor at Gateway Technical College in Kenosha, Wis., served as one of three judges.

They look behind the scenes and talk about how the competition aimed to teach contestants the importance of proper abrasive selection, tool angle, and pressure control when grinding.

The guys also talk about learning from mistakes, the power of a trade school education, and the Power Rangers.

This episode was recorded at FABTECH 2024 in Orlando, Fla.

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BlueForge Alliance Chief Strategy Officer Tim Shinbara joins The Fabricator Podcast to talk about how BFA serves as a neutral integrator for the U.S. Navy, focusing on improving the capability and capacity of the submarine industrial base.

The conversation delves into BlueForge's outreach and workforce initiatives, including Build Submarines campaigns and partnerships with organizations like Major League Baseball, NASCAR, and the WNBA, aimed at raising awareness and inspiring new talent. Tim describes the challenges small businesses face in joining the defense supply chain, noting that many lack awareness of how their work impacts defense projects. He emphasizes BlueForge’s role in offering “free consulting” to help smaller companies address pain points and improve processes, ultimately increasing capacity within the submarine supply chain.

Tim also reflects on his early career in the Navy and how he later developed an appreciation for the intricacies of manufacturing.

At the top, Dan and Gareth highlight metal artists Christina and Darren Thompson of New Jersey-based Thompson Craft. They created a metal sculpture of a hammerhead shark named "Sledge."

This episode was recorded at IMTS 2024 in Chicago.

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Drew Crowe shares his inspiring journey from a teenage felon to a leading manufacturing advocate and speaker to creating The New American Manufacturing Renaissance.

Crowe stumbled into the metalworking industry by chance, finding a job at a machine shop that put him on a path to success that he never expected. He now travels the country inspiring the next generation to embrace modern manufacturing careers, emphasizing the limitless possibilities available. Crowe also discusses his work developing a workforce recruitment and retention app to help manufacturers connect with qualified candidates and support their career development. His story highlights the transformative power of manufacturing and the importance of investing in people to build a robust, diverse talent pipeline.

Crowe also talks about his time as an instructor of advanced manufacturing technology at Ranken Technical College, how his "MFG" moniker came about, creating jewelry and grills, and the importance of true industry advocacy that goes beyond just talk and LinkedIn clout.

And stay around for Dan's rendition of "Stick 'Em" by The Fat Boys.

This episode was recorded at IMTS 2024 in Chicago.

Email us at [email protected] with any comments, questions, or suggestions.