Adam Fullerton is a Toronto-based metal fabricator who specializes in creating railings, doors, and other accent pieces for commercial and residential settings. The wanderlust tradesman talks about his career working in different trades (like car restoration and masonry) around the world, from England to Australia to Canada, and how it all led to him starting his own small business, Fullerton Metal Fab.

Fullerton also talks about experience in upcycling found objects and scrap metal into furniture and lighting fixtures. He also speaks about his plans to moving his shop to a larger space, acquire more equipment to enhance his capabilities, the process of hiring employees and focusing his marketing efforts on Instagram.

This is the fourth of four episodes recorded at FABTECH Canada in Toronto. Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

Jamie McMillan, founder of Made in the Trades and Kick Ass Careers, is a Canada-based advocate for the skilled trades industry. She discusses her journey in the trades, her efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in the industry, and her work in schools and communities across Canada.

Jamie also talks about her coloring book project that aims to educate children about different career opportunities in the trades, including ironworkers, boilermakers, construction workers, and welders. The conversation also touches on various topics such as the challenges faced by women in the trades, the importance of authenticity, the need for a change in workplace culture, and recognizing workers who struggle with Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and ADHD. Jamie also mentions her plans to travel and promote the trades in different communities.

At the top, co-host and Canadian Fabricating & Welding Editor Rob Colman, talks about his family connection to the late Bill Kobayashi, who is credited with modernizing bubble/table hockey.

This is the second of four episodes recorded at FABTECH Canada in Toronto. Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

Seth Feldman of Iowa-based Wertzbaugher Services joins The Fabricator Podcast to offer his take as a Gen Zer working in metal fabrication, why he turned to the skilled trades instead of the traditional college path, and thoughts on representing what's been dubbed the "toolbelt generation." Feldman explains how after high school, he pursued a traditional college route by attending University of Iowa, where his parents and siblings attended, but quickly realized that wasn't for him. He talks about how Lisa Wertzbaugher recruited him to work for her fabrication business, which put him on a 10-year success plan while learning how estimate jobs, fabricate and weld, and manage a team. Feldman adds his thoughts on the perception of the skilled trades among Generation Z and how more and more Gen Zers are exploring more career options outside of the traditional college path. The guys also talk Hawkeyes football and the best way to eat corn. This episode was recorded on location at the 2024 FMA Annual Meeting in Clearwater, Fla. Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

In this episode of The Fabricator Podcast, Caleb Chamberlain, co-founder and CEO of OSH Cut, discusses his company’s unique approach to sheet metal fabricating.

Chamberlain explains how OSH Cut offers an online platform that allows customers to upload their designs and receive instant quotes for laser cutting and bending services. He also describes how they have developed their own software to automate the quoting and production processes, as well as their efforts to expand their capabilities to include other services such as welding.

Chamberlain also discusses their use of digital advertising and their focus on customer satisfaction and continuous improvement. He emphasizes OSH Cut’s aim to streamline the metal fabricating process and provide a more efficient and user-friendly experience for their customers.

Chamberlain also addresses the issue of the wage gap in the industry and stresses the importance of paying livable wages to attract and retain skilled workers.

At the top, hosts Dan Davis and Tim Heston talk about the impact OSH Cut's "web shop" business model is making on the metal fabrication sector, especially with its design for manufacturing (DFM) services on top of its automated online ordering and instant quoting systems to support its laser cutting and press brake capabilities.

Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions. Learn more about podcast sponsorship opportunities.

In this podcast episode, Brian Steel, CEO of Cadrex Manufacturing, discusses the challenges of acquiring, merging, and integrating multiple metal fabrication businesses under one organization.

He emphasizes the importance of aligning technical expertise, managing capacity, and implementing ERP systems. Steel highlights the need for speed and agility in the industry and the importance of people and culture in the integration process. He also discusses the use of data and automation in improving efficiency and decision-making. Steel sees the acquisition strategy as a way to build trusted partnerships with innovative companies and rapidly bring their ideas from concept to scale.

Steel believes there is a need for large, fully integrated mechanical solution providers in North America and sees the opportunity for organic growth in the industry as well. He also emphasizes how he’s optimistic about the future of the fabrication industry and sees it as a great time to be in the business.

At the top, the guys talk about Cadrex's impressive and aggressive roll-up strategy, and how's it's impacted The Fabricator's FAB 40 list. There's also a mention of Dig Dug.

Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions. Learn more about podcast sponsorship opportunities.

This week on The Fabricator Podcast, Jason Becker, host of the Arc Junkies Podcast and owner of Underground Metal Works, shares his journey into welding and how the trade has opened doors he never would have expected, leading him to become an ironworker, educator, podcaster, and business owner.

Becker talks about how he earned his first welding certificates before he even learned how to drive, and how he carried over that trade when he joined the Marine Corps. After leaving the military, he worked as a structural steel ironworker before transitioning into teaching welding at Florida colleges and working for weld.com.

Becker talks about how those opportunities eventually led him to taking over the Arc Junkies Podcast, buying Underground Metal Works, and partnering with American Welding Society (AWS). He discusses the challenges and rewards of teaching welding, the importance of hands-on instruction, and the diverse career opportunities available in the welding industry. He also shares his passion for the podcasting and the opportunity it provides to learn from and connect with experts across the metal fabrication and welding industry.

At the top, a conversation about Becker working on various Florida theme parks lead to a discussion about how Austin Hargett of weld.com took to TikTok to rate welds at a Six Flags.

This episode was recorded on location at the 2024 FMA Annual Meeting in Clearwater, Fla.

Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions. Learn more about podcast sponsorship opportunities.

Omar Nashashibi, co-founder of The Franklin Partnership and a lobbyist representing manufacturing trade associations, joins The Fabricator Podcast to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing sheet metal fabricators and other manufacturers in the current political climate.

He emphasizes the importance of workforce development, stable tax policies, and understanding government regulations. Nashashibi also discusses the impact of tariffs, the need for education and advocacy on behalf of manufacturers, and the role of government incentives in promoting profitability and viability. He encourages manufacturers to stay informed, work with trade associations, and take advantage of available resources and opportunities.

At the top, the guys call-back a reference Omar made to the movie "Tommy Boy" and how it depicts sheet metal stamping at Callahan Auto. It led to a conversation about other movies set in manufacturing and fabricating facilities, like "Mr. Mom" with Michael Keaton, "Nobody" with Bob Odenkirk, and "Fatman" with Mel Gibson.

This episode was recorded on location at the 2024 FMA Annual Meeting in Clearwater, Fla.

Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions. Learn more about podcast sponsorship opportunities.

After Ludlow Manufacturing Inc. (LMI) received The Fabricator's 2024 Industry Award, Todd Ludlow, founder and president of the Waukegan, Ill.-based metal fabrication business, joined us on the podcast to expound on it all.

Ludlow discusses his journey of starting and growing his own fabrication business. He reflects on his early days as a machine operator and how transitioning into sales sales role helped him learn the industry. He emphasizes three important points that helped transform his business to the success it is today:

• The importance of having a strong company culture
• Giving up power to those better suited to serve the business
• An all-in approach on establishing a safe shop floor

Ludlow also discusses the impact of automation on his operations, including the use of robotic welding and parts sorting. He shares his optimism for the future and his plans for further growth, including expanding into tube laser cutting and investing in more robotic welding. He also mentions the involvement of his family in the business and the challenges and rewards that come with it.

At the top, the guys chat about a California-based welder/fabricator named Shaun Graham who was inspired enough by a previous episode to create an awesome sculpture of Garbage Pail Kids character Adam Bomb. Not to mention, he also fabricated a Michael Myers mask out of metal.

Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions. Learn more about podcast sponsorship opportunities.

In this episode, Michael Bennett, a welder and metal artist based in Wadsworth, Ill., joins The Fabricator Podcast to discuss how an unfortunate car accident that left him paralyzed from the chest down reignited his passion for working with metal, particularly scrap metal.

Michael talks about how attending mechanic school helped instill a mindset of continuous learning and adapting to new technologies, which he says inspired him to relearn how use his tools after he lost strength in his preferred left hand. It also gave him the skills to build robots to help assist him around his farm.

He also goes into detail about his love of creating metal sculptures from recycled materials and how it led him creating Michael Bennett Designs and participating in an annual event in Lansing, Mich., called ScrapFest.

At the top, a mention of a now-banned plastic toy welder that Michael said he played with as a child, sparked a conversation about other banned toys made out of metal, like sharp-tipped lawn darts and a belt buckle revolver.

Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions. Learn more about podcast sponsorship opportunities.

In this episode of The Fabricator Podcast, sponsored by Salvagnini America and part of the Automation Talk series, Tim Heston interviews Clay Case and Matt Humerick of Salvagnini about the role of software automation in modern precision sheet metal fabrication.

They discuss the challenges and bottlenecks in the fabrication process, the importance of data flow and communication between design, engineering, and manufacturing, and the benefits of software in streamlining production and improving efficiency. They also touch on the future of software in the industry, including the potential for AI and machine learning to further automate processes and increase efficiency.

Download the free e-book (Automation Talk: Focus on Software).

Watch first and second episodes of the Automation Talk video series.

Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

In this episode, Christian Streu, CFO of The Partner Companies, and Charles Cohen, President of FotoFab, join The Fabricator Podcast to talk about the growing trend of mergers and acquisitions in manufacturing. They discuss the evolution of Chicago-based The Partner Companies and how smaller manufacturing and fabrication businesses can benefit from being part of a larger organization.

The Partner Companies was formed in 1997 by founders Dan Brumlik and Scott Bekemeyer with a focus to bring together a strategic network of specialty manufacturers serving the aerospace, defense, energy, medical, technology, automotive, and telecom industries.

They also touch on the challenges of running multiple companies within one fold, the importance of near-shoring, and the future of manufacturing in North America. The episode concludes with a discussion on the recruitment of young talent into the industry and the exciting opportunities in the clean energy sector.

At the top, a mention of a Yugo leads to a conversation about first cars, from a 1966 Ford Galaxy to a 1989 Chevy Nova to the ultimate latch-key kid car, a 1987 Chevy Beretta.

Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions. Learn more about podcast sponsorship opportunities.

On this episode of The Fabricator Podcast, Philadelphia-based welder and trades advocate Pa'Trice Frazier joins host Dan Davis and Josh Welton at SEMA, in partnership with Miller Electric.

Pa'Trice chats about how she got her start as a welder and working Atlanta projects like the Mercedes Benz Stadium, Spanx Headquarters, Marta Buckhead Bridge, and, in Philadelphia, the River Alive Exhibit at the Independence Seaport Museum. She also talks about appearing on the NBC show Hot Wheels: Ultimate Challenge and fabricating a 1969 Dodge Charger called "Power Charged" and using her Weldjointed platform to encourage more diversity in the welding trade as well as teaching others how to weld.

At the top, Dan and Josh talk about Josh participating in the Hot Wheels Legends Tour in Detroit.

Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

Diane Reko, CEO of Reko International and Concorde Precision Machining, joins us to chat about her father starting the business in 1976, her taking over the company, implementing automation processes, and her thoughts on maintaining a strong manufacturing base in Canada. She also talks about her family's Hungarian roots, the automotive industry, the construction sector, developing skilled trades in Canada, the importance of business leaders walking the shop floor, and maintaining livable wages for people working in the trades.

Reko International specializes in automation equipment and machining, serving various industries such as automotive, aerospace, and mining.

At the top, Joe Thompson, Editor of Canadian Metalworking, talks about celebrating the publication's 120th anniversary in 2025 and it being one of the longest-standing trade magazines in Canada.

This is the second of four episodes recorded at FABTECH Canada in Toronto. Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

Emma Sauve of Mobsteel and Detroit Steel Wheel brings the energy as she joins host Dan Davis and Josh Welton on this episode of The Fabricator Podcast, in partnership with Miller Electric at SEMA 2023 in Las Vegas. Emma talks about the history of Mobsteel and how its focus on customizing Lincoln Continentals from the 1960s led to the creation of Detroit Steel Wheel in 2012, which specializes in fabricating and designing custom wheels for big-body styled cars.

Emma also talks about her job as the digital creative force behind both efforts and her love of telling the stories of customers in the aftermarket industry. She also discusses the importance of creating American-made products in Detroit, her favorite Mobsteel/Detroit Steel Wheel builds (including the 1966 Motorcity Vice Lincoln Continental), and working with business co-founders Pam and Adam Genei and lead fabricator Steve Ryan.

At the top, Emma joins Dan and Josh to talk about the SEMA afterparty at the Sosa Metalworks shop, lowriders, and a metal sculpture of a skull by Luis Varela-Rico.

Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

Ryan Fielding of Ringbrothers joins hosts Dan Davis and Josh Welton on this episode of The Fabricator Podcast, in partnership with Miller Electric at SEMA 2023 in Las Vegas. Ryan goes into detail about the three builds that Wisconsin-based Ringbrothers displayed at SEMA: a 1965 Ford Mustang Convertible called “Uncaged”, a 1961 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II called “Paramount”, and a 1969 Dodge Charger called “Tusk”.

Ryan also talks about how his family's background influenced his career as a fabricator, how he learned to weld when he was 8 years old, and his grandfather's stint as a stunt car performer with Jimmie Lynch and The Death Dodgers. He also talks about starting his own hotrod/motorcycle fabrication business, Paragon Customs, and how he was subsequently convinced to join Ringbrothers.

He also discusses Ringbrothers winning the SEMA's 2022 Battle of Builders with its 1948 Chevy Loadmaster, his love of pinstriping, and creating goalie mask artwork for the Wisconsin Badgers men's ice hockey team.

Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

In this episode of The Fabricator Podcast, and in partnership with Miller Electric, Andy Weyenberg from Miller's motorsports division and Real Garage with Andy, joins us live at SEMA 2023 in Las Vegas to discuss the welding industry and its applications in the performance racing industry.

Andy talks about his love of motorsports, the science behind the various types of welding, what SEMA means for Miller, how race cars influence different welding techniques, the famous car builders at SEMA, and the future of the aftermarket sector. He also discusses building a '69 Trans Am with 800 horsepower that is designed for road courses, autocrossing, and drag racing.

At the top, Dan and Josh talk about their journeys to Las Vegas for SEMA, including Josh's epic road trip in a 2024 Jeep 392 Wrangler from Detroit through Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Wisconsin, Minnesota, the Dakotas, and Utah, as well as stops in Yellowstone, the Grand Tetons, and the Bonneville Salt Flats.

Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

Learn more about Miller's new MIG welder: Millermatic 142.

Brothers Anthony and Rob DiVito, the founders of custom furniture shop iRcustom, make their return to The Fabricator Podcast to offer more transparent insight into small business ownership in the metal fabrication industry. This time, they brought with them a coffee table for our revamped studio.

We chat about the fabrication details of that project and what's new with their Chicago-area business. The discussion covers how they've gone away from relying too much on vertical integration, exploring more outsourcing opportunities with partners like @PrecisionTubeLaser , implementing more 3D-printed prototyping and fixtures, technology advancements in the fabrication industry, the growing pains of running a small shop, and more.

At the top, the guys talk about @ahrendtdirk , a Germany-based fabricator and tool maker. Dirk, who goes by The Metalist, has created an awesome line of hammers shaped like a fist and axes shaped like an open hand.

Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

Joe Clark, CEO and founder of Architectural Elements, joins The Fabricator Podcast to talk custom fabrication, business ownership, video production, and more.

He discusses the early days of his career and how he took his Seattle-area business from a garage shop to what Clark calls a multi disciplined organization that focuses design, production and installation of art, signage, architectural components and furnishings.

Clark, who produces a series called “Made With Metals” with Online Metals , also talks about the the importance of storytelling in video production and why it's important to the perception of metalworking industry.

Along the way, he also touches on the nuances of custom architectural fabrication, the metal fabrication scene in the Pacific Northwest, and various Architectural Elements projects.

At the top, the guys talk about Chicago architecture and pop cultural references to Marina City, like Wilco's Yankee Hotel Foxtrot album cover and Steve McQueen's last film, The Hunter.

Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

Staci Martinez joins The Fabricator Podcast to talk about starting her own small business in Sioux Falls, S.D. called 605 Shield Maiden, which focuses on creating metal art sculptures, fabricating handrails, and combing wood and metal to make furniture.

She discusses how working briefly as a production welder and seeing all the potential in the scrap metal bin inspired her to pursue metal art. Staci eventually created her first sculpture, a gnome, and was chosen to have it on display at SculptureWalk, an exhibit of outdoor sculptures displayed year-round in downtown Sioux Falls.

She also talks about her involvement with The Hooded Heroes Foundation, which serves to help provide welding equipment and PPE to those who can't afford.

At the top, hosts Dan Davis and Josh Welton talk about unfortunate metal sculptures, including the infamous Cristiano Ronaldo bust at an airport in Portugal.

Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

Tom Patsis of Cold Hard Art joins the podcast to talk about the never-ending business of designing, fabricating, and building trophies for motorsports events.

Tom sits down with hosts Josh Welton and Dan Davis at FABTECH 2023 in Chicago, and opens up about how he left his job at Don Schumacher Racing as a fabricator to start his own business, as well as the pros and cons of starting a small business.

He also talks about winning the first season of Metal Shop Masters on Netflix and partnering with companies like Miller Electric, Starrett, FastCut CNC, PFERD North America, Trick-Tools, and others.

Tom also discusses running a business with his wife, being father, the rewards of being a metal artist, and how he would fabricate an alien space craft.

Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

Aaron Prather, the director for the Robotics and Autonomous Systems Program at ASTM International, joins The Fabricator Podcast to talk about the importance of robotics and automation standards in manufacturing and the metal fabrication sector.

Prather emphasizes the need for input from small and medium-sized businesses in order to address their specific challenges and develop relevant standards. He also highlights the potential for Automation-as-a-Service and the importance of engaging young people in manufacturing through educational programs and facility visits. Additionally, Prather mentions his time working with FedEx, the involvement of ASTM in developing standards for the cannabis industry, and the future potential of robotics in industries such as hypersonic and space components.

At the top, the guys talk about their favorite movie and TV robot characters as well as Andy Kaufman's long-forgotten movie flop, Heartbeeps.

Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

Greg Davis of Red Beard's Garage joins hosts Josh Welton and Rafael Guerrero to talk about his wildly popular YouTube channel, which he uses to teach people how to build and fabricate small engine vehicles like go-karts, minibikes, and side-by-sides. He shares how he started this venture by wanting to build his daughter a go-kart without any prior fabrication and welding experience. He also talks about how the first Fast & Furious movie sparked his interest, fabricating tube chassis for SEMA, expanding his business, some of his most memorable builds, playing Need for Speed, and more.

At the top, Josh and the guys talk about Garbage Pail Kids, sketchy go-kart tracks, and Super Mario Kart.

Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

In this episode of The Fabricator podcast, sponsored by Schuler Group, host Dan Davis interviews Chris McMahon of Schuler North America about tubular hydroforming and how it serves the manufacturing industry. McMahon explains that the metal forming process involves loading a tube into a die, closing the die, and using water pressure to shape the tube. He highlights the advantages of hydroforming, such as eliminating secondary processes and providing consistent part-to-part results.

McMahon also discusses the success stories of using hydroforming with manufacturers like Ford Motor Company, as well as its applicability in industries beyond automotive for trailer hitches and frame components. He emphasizes the expertise and support offered by Schuler in the hydroforming process.

Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or sponsorship opportunities.

Max Ceron, the director of the CWB Association, discusses his role in supporting the welding and fabricating industry in Canada. He emphasizes the importance of upskilling the current workforce and creating opportunities for the next generation of welders and fabricators.

Ceron also talks about the need for better communication between welders and engineers, as well as the growing trend of entrepreneurialism among young welders. He shares his own experiences as a welder and educator, and highlights the importance of community and networking in the industry. Ceron also mentions his side hustle as a podcaster and radio show host, and his plans for expanding the CWB Association's reach internationally.

This is the first of four episodes recorded at FABTECH Canada in Toronto. Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

Nikita Adickes, a fabricator and project manager at Orange County, California-based architectural fabrication shop CTEK, discusses her passion for metal fabrication and her nontraditional journey in the industry. She shares her experience working on various projects, including architectural art installations with the likes of Frank Gehry and James Turrell. Nikita also talks about the challenges she faces as a woman in a male-dominated field and the importance of proving herself through project managing, hard work, and dedication.

CTEK was founded by Nikita's father, Eric Adickes, in 1993.

Nikita also mentions her love of automotive customization and interest in exploring other trades, such as carpentry and glassblowing.

At the top, hosts Dan Davis and Lincoln Brunner offer their takes on FABTECH 2023.

Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

After starting his metal fabrication career in 2008 and working through some personal demons, Matt Tyler came out on the other side with his own business: Matt Tyler Designs.

In this episode of The Fabricator Podcast, Matt discusses the growing pains of small business ownership in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex and specializing in architectural metalwork, with a focus on engineering and fabricating doors, windows, and metal framing. He also talks about his blend course, where he offers tips and techniques on blending weld joints. He also shares his plans for the future, which include expanding his skills and building high-end furniture.

Host Dan Davis and Josh Welton also chat with Matt about Blink-182, fabricating alien spacecrafts, creating video content, and the art of pricing jobs.

Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

Shanen Aranmor says she was once described as a life coach under a welding helmet. She's taken that philosophy and run with it, and now identifies herself as Chief Wellness Welder with all the various initiatives she's involved in. In our first episode recorded from FABTECH 2023 in Chicago, Aranmor joins host Dan Davis and co-host Rafael Guerrero to talk about her Yuma, Ariz.-based program Weld Like A Girl, her involvement with SkillsUSA welding competition, being a judge on Project MFG's Clash of the Trades, her affiliation with American Welding Society (AWS), her time working with Miller Electric, and more.

At the top, Fabricators and Manufacturers Association President and CEO Ed Youdell joins the podcast to talk about FMA's rebrand, the unveiling of it FABTECH 2023, and what FMA's new workforce lifecycle means for the metal fabrication industry.

Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

Mitch Kraemer was working in the restaurant industry in Denver when friend and fabricator Tim Omspach approached him with an interesting career opportunity. Omspach had just launched Vvolfy Metal Works and acquired Ludwig Goppenhammer's business model of fabricating aerial equipment. Even though Kraemer didn't have any fabrication experience, he took on the challenge. Fast forward a few years later, Kraemer now manages Vvolfy's eastern operations out of Detroit in a booming aerial equipment market.

Kraemer joined host Dan Davis and co-host Darla Welton on The Fabricator Podcast to discuss all of that and more: His nontraditional path to working in the metal fabrication industry, learning how to weld, becoming part owner of a small business, navigating the growing aerial equipment market, moving from Denver to Detroit, the Meow Wolf experience, and the Yummyboy YouTube channel.

At the top, the crew discusses the best places in the Motor City to get Detroit-style pizza (shout out to Supino Pizzeria, Pie Sci, and Michigan & Trumbull) and how the square steel pan was designed after the trays used in the automotive industry to hold small car parts.

Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

Kevin Cartwright had a very nontraditional path to becoming a welding instructor. The longtime Detroit-based multi media artist, working under the name Nivek Monet, spent years painting before turning his attention to metal sculpture art. That led him to working in various metal fabrication shops to learn how to weld. Eventually, he became the lead welding instructor at Randolph Career and Technical Center, a Detroit high school focused on teaching skilled trades.

In this episode of The Fabricator Podcast, Cartwright joins host Dan Davis and guest host Darla Welton to talk about his journey from artist to welder to teacher, his time working in metal fabrication shops, his artist moniker Nivek Monet, his philosophy when it comes to skilled trades education, his involvement with Skills USA, being featured in a Carhartt commercial, and creating abstract sculptures out of scrap metal.

Email us at podcast@thefabricator.com with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

Myron Elkins joins The Fabricator Podcast to talk about his journey of being a factory welder from small-town Otsego, Mich., to becoming an touring Americana recording artist backed by Nashville producer Dave Cobb and Elektra Records.

From ages 17 to 21, Elkins made his way through a vocational welding program at Allegan Area ESA Tech Center in rural Western Michigan and worked as a welder for Landscape Forms, fabricating high-end outdoor furniture. Also during that time, Elkins also developed his love and understanding of music. He found himself listening to a mix of classic rock, including Motown, southern rock, blues, country, and alt-country while working in the fab shop. That led him to writing more songs and overcoming his performance anxiety by playing small venues between Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids.

Then Elkins got the Music City bug. He played a few small gigs in Nashville, signed a manager, and cut a five-song EP called "Just Another Asshole With a Guitar." It caught the attention of Cobb, who has worked with the likes of Brandi Carlile, Chris Stapleton, Jason Isbell, and the late John Prine. Cobb signed Elkins to a five-album deal on his Low Country Sounds label, an imprint of Elektra, and produced Elkins' first full-length album, "Factories, Farms & Amphetamines."

At the top, the guys talk about other musicians from Michigan, some of their favorite Bob Seeger songs, Jack White's Nashville connection, and whether or not Kid Rock is still mad at Bud Light.

Email us at podcast@thefabricator.com with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

Since starting The Detroit Bus Company in 2011, it's been nonstop movement with a purpose for Andy Didorosi. After getting DBC off the ground, he has launched a number of other Detroit-focused initiatives, including The Detroit Student Race Team, Mutiny Racing, and The Arsenal of Clean. And housing all of those projects is a old 55,000-square-foot multi-purpose factory that he recently bought right in the middle of downtown Detroit. Andy joins The Fabricator Podcast to talk all about of those things, Japanese Kei trucks, and more.

At the top host Dan Davis and guest host Darla Welton talk about, of course, their favorite bus-related stories.

Email us at podcast@thefabricator.com with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

This week, Jessica Considine – a welder, fabricator, and artist based in the Detroit-area – joins The Fabricator Podcast. She's the creative force behind Sculpted Roots and a full-time fabricator for the Department of Defense with Navistar.

In short, Considine exemplifies what a metal fabrication career can look like for the next generation of skilled tradespeople.

Also joining the podcast as co-host is Darla Welton of Brown Dog Welding and the Still Building America Series on thefabricator.com. This is the first of four podcast episodes she'll sit in as co-host with Dan Davis.

Considine talks about her path from jewelry maker to metal fabricator in her still young fabrication career. She also discusses how her carpenter father taught her how to work with her hands, how making jewelry honed her attention detail, the importance of an organized workspace in a fab shop, leveraging social media to grow her professional network, and learning to work a press brake.

Email us at podcast@thefabricator.com with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

What efforts are being made to reinvigorate apprenticeship opportunities in the manufacturing industry and the United States? One major manufacturer, Bühler Group, has been making strides to grow its welding apprenticeship program in North Carolina and Minnesota.

Program director Michael Taylor joined The Fabricator Podcast to discuss what Bühler is doing make apprenticeships more appealing to start a career path in the trades, how they are taking the best practices from the Swiss company's European model, and its partnership with NCTAP (North Carolina Technology Apprenticeship Program).

Jump to 14:00 for our conversation about manufacturing apprenticeships.

At the top, the guys debate about barbeque and grilling.

Email us at podcast@thefabricator.com with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

This week on The Fabricator Podcast, we speak with the creative geniuses behind Chicago-based Vector Custom Fabricating, including co-founder Steve Mueller and partner/fabricator Seth Goddard.

Mueller, along with Barry Hehemann and Mike Wilkie, started Vector in 1978 with a focus on blending artistic sculptures and architectural/structural metal fabrication. Mueller talks about the history of Vector and how it's become the longest-run public art fabrication outfit in the country. And Goddard talks about some of Vector's most notable projects, including Yoko Ono's Sky Landing instillation in Chicago's Jackson Park, Lucent by Wolfgang Buttress in the Hancock Center, the elliptical staircase at Water Tower Places, the stair railings in Wintrust's Grand Banking Hall, and more. They also talk about their numerous fabrication business partners, like Chicago Metal Rolled Products.

Jump to 10:20 for our conversation with the Steve and Seth from Vector.

At the top, the guys chat about some of their favorite big metal art sculptures, including Vector's The Bots, Rae Ripple's armadillo, John Lopez's The Revenant scrap metal piece, and the huge sasquatch from Augusta Missouri Metal Arts.

Email us at podcast@thefabricator.com with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

Desirée Guzmán, a welding instructor with Chicago Women in Trades (CWIT), joins us to talk about her full-circle career as welder.

She talks about how she was inspired by a metal artist she met during a trip to Puerto Rico to start her own jewelry-making business. She also explains how that piqued her interest in learning how to weld.

Desirée discusses how after enrolling in CWIT's welding program, it led to her working at number of Chicago-area fab shops. The after a few years of working in industry, her career came full circle when she accepted an open welding instructor position at CWIT.

She also talks about the mission behind CWIT and its work to not only get more women to work in the trades, but empowering them with confidence and a community.

At the top, we call back to a conversation in an episode with Michael Bennett about a toy plastic welder. We compare and contrast Mattel's Spin Welder and Mindware's Spin-Gineer.

Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

Ron Dyrcz of Ronders Wood & Metal Works joins us on the The Fabricator Podcast to talk about his Chicago-area custom furniture business that combines metalworking and carpentry.

A self-described maker, Ron discusses how he went from building furniture on the side while working at a production fabrication shop to getting laid off and starting his own small business. He also goes into how he's battling Crohn's disease, creating his iconic wall mounted bar, the value he gets out of visiting as many maker shops as possible, growing his brand on Instagram and Pinterest, his involvement with the Catskill Mountain Maker Camp, and his partnership with Granberg International.

Jump to 07:53 for our conversation with Ron.

At the top, The WELDER Editor Rafael joins Dan and the guys to chat about navigating roundabouts and the amount of money the U.S. government would have spent to rescue Matt Damon from space.

Email us at podcast@thefabricator.com with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

In this episode of The Fabricator Podcast, we speak with Antigone Sharris, Chairperson of the Engineering Technology Program at Triton College in River Grove, Ill., and Krystal Santaniello, Industrial Technology Teacher at Crystal Lake South High School in Crystal Lake, Ill., about emphasizing the skilled trades in the U.S. education system.

Sharris talks about her more than 25 years of teaching the trades, her experience attending Chicago Lane Tech when it was a true tech school, and her involvement with FMA's Nuts, Bolts, and Thingamajigs (NBT) summer camps, which are designed to introduce middle school students to potential career paths in manufacturing, metal fabrication, STEM, and other skilled trades. Among the several NBT camps that Sharris started are GLoW (Girls Learning to Weld) and GADgET (Girls Adventuring in Design, Engineering, and Technology) Girls. And Santaniello speaks about her efforts to help District 155 in the Chicago-area grow its trades and industrial technology programs at the high school level.

Jump to 09:40 for our conversation with Antigone and Krystal.

At the top, Dan and the crew talk about their experiences with summer camps, or lack thereof.

Email us at podcast@thefabricator.com with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

Andy Billman joins The Fabricator Podcast to talk about his career in manufacturing, the idea behind Arise Industrial, what he looks for when investing in metal fabrication companies, the importance of good culture within a manufacturing business, battling stage-three brain cancer, his college football career at Miami University, and his book Setbacks Into Comebacks: Say Yes! to Overcoming Challenges and Embracing Opportunities.

Email us at podcast@thefabricator.com with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

Lisa Wertzbaugher joins us on the podcast this week to talk about small business management in manufacturing and her strategy behind developing a metal fabrication shop in Iowa.

Lisa discusses how growing up around manufacturing and helping run her parents' tube fabrication business led her to small business consultation in the industry. She also opens up about how, after several years away from manufacturing and working for large corporations, her and her husband decided to start their own fabrication and welding shop, Wertzbaugher Services, in 2012. Lisa talks about how their shop began with a focus on commercial trailer repairs for local companies, but has expanded to building structures, ag implement repairs, truss work, large freight, and custom fabrication, as well as trucking haul services.

Lisa also writes a column for The Tube and Pipe Journal and thefabricator.com on strategies for business development called Executive Perspectives.

Jump to 09:51 for our conversation with Lisa.

At the top, the guys chat about all things Iowa: Wrestler Dab Gable, Field of Dreams in Dyersville, the Hawkeyes' and Caitlin Clark's recent run in the Women's NCAA Tournament, the comedy Cedar Rapids, and more.

Email us at podcast@thefabricator.com with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

The founder and owner of Las Vegas-based Precision Tube Laser, Jordan Yost, joins us to talk about his approach to building a metal fabrication shop for the next generation.

Yost opens up about how he went from owning a car rental company to starting his own manufacturing business with a focus on tube fabrication and laser cutting capabilities. He also discusses unique challenges and opportunities of being a manufacturer in Las Vegas, hiring a workforce younger than 40 years old, growing a customer base through social media, partnering with TRUMPF, and training machine operators with zero metalworking experience.

Jump to 10:50 for our conversation with Jordan Yost.

Email us at podcast@thefabricator.com with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

Adam Hickey of Hickey Metal Fabrication joins the podcast to talk about navigating and progressing a multigenerational manufacturing business. The Salem, Ohio-based company is 80 years old and now on its fourth generation of family ownership. Hickey talks about how the company transitioned from construction-only to manufacturing metal products. He also goes into detail how Hickey has grown its campus, machinery, equipment, and workforce through strategic planning and cross-training.

Hickey Metal Fabrication was also The FABRICATOR's 2023 Industry Award Winner.

Jump to 11:42 for our conversation with Adam Hickey.

At the top, Editor Amanda Carlson-Hicks joins the crew to talk about the good, bad, and first concert experiences, which includes a conversation about Insane Clown Posse, the Gathering Of The Juggalos, and getting in the pit at shows.

Email us at podcast@thefabricator.com with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

Dr. Chris Kuehl, an economist with Armada Intelligence and a contributor to FMA's Fabrinomics e-newsletter, joins The FABRICATOR editors Dan Davis and Tim Heston to talk about how the futures of metal fabrication and manufacturing are expected to be influenced by several trends, including advances in technology, changes in customer preferences, and global economic factors. Also, what can watermelons tell us about where the economy is headed?

Jump to 09:08 for our conversation with Dr. Kuehl.

At the top, Editor Amanda Carlson-Hicks joins the crew to talk about embarrassing haircuts: perms, flattops, and rat tails.

Email us at podcast@thefabricator.com with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

Justin Merrill of The Fabrication Series and Weld Metals Online joins The Fabricator Podcast in Las Vegas, Nev. Justin talks about how working in an auto shop let him to striking his first arc as a welder, the early days of making how-to welding videos, the concept behind Weld Metals Online, being an entrepreneur and business owner, and the real reason he changed the name of his YouTube channel.

Jump to 08:26 for our conversation with Justin.

At the top, The WELDER Editor Rafael Guerrero joins host Dan Davis and producer Gareth Sleger to talk about Vince McMahon's new pencil-thin mustache, which leads to a discussion about some of the most famous mustachioed movie villains, like Pat Healy from "There's Something About Mary," White Goodman from "Dodgeball," Bill 'The Butcher' Cutting from "Gangs of New York," and more.

Email us at podcast@thefabricator.com with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

In Part 2 of our conversation with Cristian Sosa, the owner of Las Vegas-based Sosa Metalworks talks about his unique process of using welding rods to design frames for his custom motorcycles; how he's developed an aesthetic/style that customers seek and trust; how he's integrating more CAD and other technologies into his work; how he's created an truly immersive experience for those who register for his workshops and classes; and the motorcycle project he's working on with his daughter as part of the Harley-Davidson Homecoming Event and 120th anniversary celebration this summer in Milwaukee.

Jump to 15:57 to get to our talk with Cristian Sosa.

At the top, The Fabricator Senior Editor Tim Heston joins host Dan Davis and guys to chat about motorbikes and mullets. More specifically, Tim goes into detail about a story he wrote about Swedish manufacturer Stilride, and their revolutionary Stilfold process, which takes a new approach to sheet metal bending and implements it into building an electric scooter chassis that comprises of just six thin pieces of curved stainless steel. We also scroll through a Twitter thread of AI-generated portraits of U.S. presidents with mullets and sunglasses.

Email us at podcast@thefabricator.com with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

Cristian Sosa of Las Vegas-based Sosa Metalworks joins The Fabricator Podcast to talk about his wild journey from junior high school dropout to starting his own metal fabrication and custom motorcycle shop. Cristian opens up about his early life in Mexico, growing up in Las Vegas, and how his love of lowriders and working with his hands sparked an interest in welding and shaping metal. This is the first of a two-part episode.

Cristian also gets into his time working at Count's Kustoms and on the "Counting Cars" TV show, and how it both changed his life for the better and also made him realize he'd rather start his own business than be on TV. He talks about how his grandma teaching him how to sew at an early age taught him patience and, ultimately, led him to teaching others his unique metal shaping and wire framing methods through in-depth workshops.

Jump to 08:47 to get to our talk with Cristian Sosa.

At the top, host Dan Davis, TPJ Editor Lincoln Brunner, and the crew talk about their very first jobs working in fast food places like Taco Bell and KFC. They also ask listeners to send in stories about their first jobs working in a metal fabrication shop or elsewhere.

Email us at podcast@thefabricator.com with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

Matt Brunner, co-founder and co-owner of Manitowoc, Wis.-based Brunner Fabrication joins us to talk about how he transformed his family's autobody shop into a successful metal fab shop focused on high-volume production.

Brunner talks about launching his fabrication business in 2018, growing the shop footprint to 12,000 sq. ft., finding a niche in high-volume sheet metal part production, partnering with TRUMPF, working with snow equipment manufacturer Ariens Co., training a workforce without any fabrication experience, and developing an apprenticeship program.

At the top, we introduce the newest member to the podcast team, Griffin Hammond, and talk about the documentary "Sriracha" that he wrote and produced. We also feature Clayton Deputy, a fabricator out of Santa Barbra, Calif., who went designed and fabricated an octopus sculpture. Deputy owns and operates Gnarwhal Creations, which mostly focuses on off-road and aftermarket fabrication.

Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

The mother-daughter duo of Ginny Wendt-Vecchio and Jeanette Vecchio from Chicago Rolled Metal Products join The Fabricator Podcast to talk about the legacy behind their multigenerational family-owned business. They talk about operating the company through four generations in a Chicago's Brighton Park neighborhood, deciding the future of the business on a coin flip, and using a mix of old-school and modernized machines to bend and roll heavy metal. They also chat about some of CRMP's more notable projects, like Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park, the Google Bay View Campus, State Farm Stadium in Phoenix, and the rebuilding of Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in NYC.

Jump to 08:07 to get to our talk with Ginny and Jeanette.

At the top, the guys talk about their favorite NFL, NBA, MLB, and soccer stadiums.

Email us at podcast@thefabricator.com with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

Brothers Rob and Anthony DiVito of iRcustom, a Chicago-area furniture designer and maker, join us to talk more about growing a following through Instagram and Pinterest; battling copycat manufacturers; sourcing wood, metal, and other materials; powder coating steel frames; buying equipment from auctions and questionable private sellers; and scrounging through miscellaneous bins for random parts and small tools.

Jump to 08:30 to get to our talk with Rob and Anthony.

At the top, Dan, Jim, and Gareth to chat about Sir-Mix-A-Lot's unlikely partnership with Lincoln Electric and how the legendary hip hop star uses the manufacturer's Torchmate CNC plasma cutting machine to make mountable aluminum cabinets for audio equipment.

Email us at podcast@thefabricator.com with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

How did two Chicago-area brothers go from having zero fabrication background to creating a business designing and building customized metal and wood furniture? Rob, a graphic designer, and Anthony, a stockbroker, DiVito join The Fabricator Podcast to explain how they put their day jobs on hold to start iRcustom and focus on making one-of-a-kind office furniture. They talk about they learned how to weld and operate CNC machinery while growing their small business and gaining customers all around the country. This is the first part of a two-part episode.

Jump to 08:05 to get to our talk with Rob and Anthony.

At the top, Dan, Jim, and Gareth talk about a recently released independent horror movie called "The Welder" from filmmaker David Liz. The guys also try to figure out why Jim watches "Hostel" movies while he travels.

Email us at podcast@thefabricator.com with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

In this special episode of The Fabricator Podcast, Josh Welton takes over as host and sits down with Luis Varela-Rico, Ivan Iler, and Frank Ledbetter. These three wildly different artists from the hit Netflix show Metal Shop Masters talk with Josh about metal art, artificial intelligence (AI), laser welding, 3D printing, and mixing old and new technologies in art.

They delve deeper into discussions about the 3D-printed stainless steel bridge in Amsterdam built by Dutch additive manufacturing company MX3D, legendary metalworker and custom automotive fabricator Ron Covell, and using LiDAR technology to take a 3D scan of Frank's head.

Jump to 8:38 to get to our talk with Josh, Luis, Frank, and Ivan.

At the top, Dan, Jim, and Gareth talk about how AI was used to turn Family Guy into an 1980s sitcom and highlight a kinetic metal sculptor from Argentina named Guillermo Galetti.

Email us at podcast@thefabricator.com with any comments, questions, or suggestions.