Jarrod Klassen is the owner of Twisted Metal Sign Company , a business in Saskatchewan focused on creating intricate metal artwork using bead rolling techniques. While working in corrections, Jarrod discovered bead rolling as a hobby and has honed his skills over the past several years. He has gone from using a homemade bead roller to upgrading to professional equipment, and now creates highly detailed automotive and other scenes (like Willem Dafoe and doom metal band Pentagram) by combining bea...
Jun 17, 2025•45 min
This episode of The Fabricator Podcast features a conversation with Chris Rusch, formerly of Rusch Machine & Design, and Mike Wagner of Cornfield Customs. They discuss the history and development of metal shaping equipment, particularly the power hammer, and how it has enabled a resurgence in this specialized craft. Chris and Mike describe the techniques and approaches they use to shape metal, including the importance of templates and patterns. They also share stories of their favorite proje...
Jun 03, 2025•1 hr 1 min
Kent Brown joins The Fabricator Podcast talk about becoming CEO of O'Neal Manufacturing Services (OMS) in 2018, his leadership philosophy, emphasizing safety, empowering the OMS workforce, expanding the company's geographical footprint, and what it means to be a mainstay on our annual FAB 40 list. Brown discusses how OMS has experienced significant growth and transformation in recent years, going from seven to 10 locations since 2018. The company has invested heavily in new equipment, including ...
May 20, 2025•58 min
Steve Kost of Chicago-based Metal Health Artwork joins us this week to talk about how he turned to creating metal sculptures to help him cope with PTSD after serving in the military, and what started as just a hobby has become full-scale effort advocating for better mental health practices among veterans and other adults. Steve talks about his time serving with the Navy Seabees , his career as an ironworker in Chicago, working through PTSD, honing his skills a metal artist, using scrap pieces of...
May 08, 2025•1 hr 19 min
In this episode of The Fabricator Podcast, Kirk McCauley, owner of American Engineering and Metalworking (AEM) in North Canton, Ohio, shares his journey from the tool and die world to running a modern, full-service metal fabrication shop. McCauley explains how embracing automation, laser welding, and robotic material handling has helped AEM stay competitive, and why investing in people and creating a collaborative workplace culture are just as important as investing in technology. Tune in for in...
Apr 30, 2025•1 hr
In this episode, we sit down with Hector Ortega—sculptor and founder of Ortega Sculpture and Silver Lining Metals Stamps , based in the Phoenix metro area. He emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and problem-solving as an artist, from developing fabrication skills to exploring different materials and processes. Ortega discussed the challenges of sustaining an artistic career, the need for diversifying one's creative outlets, and the spiritual and communal aspects of his work. He also...
Apr 10, 2025•58 min
Lucy Minturn and Liz Kloster co-own FosterWorks , a sheet metal fabrication shop in Chicago. After purchasing the business a couple of years ago, they’ve worked to shape it with their own vision, despite having no prior experience in the industry. By combining their complementary skills and building a strong team, they’ve successfully grown the manufacturing business. FosterWorks operates out of 18,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing space with eight employees. Their equipment includes lasers, punches,...
Mar 27, 2025•1 hr 4 min
Mike McCarthy, VP at Design Communications Ltd. (DCL) , joins The Fabricator Podcast to talk about how DCL is at the intersection of engineering, design, and fabrication of some of the most recognizable creative large-scale projects around the country. DCL specializes architectural custom elements like signs, sculptures, and tech installations. They work closely with designers to engineer and build unique, large-scale projects that utilize a range of materials and fabrication techniques. Some of...
Mar 12, 2025•1 hr 5 min
This episode of The Fabricator Podcast features an interview with Professor Jo Mackiewicz , an English professor at Iowa State University who also happens to be a welder. Mackiewicz discusses her research on communication and learning in the welding and fabrication trades, as well as her experience working part-time at Howe's Welding & Metal Fabrication, a small job shop in Ames, Iowa. She shares her insights on women working in metal fabrication, insights on the challenges of learning a ski...
Mar 05, 2025•1 hr 7 min
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 ...
Feb 13, 2025•54 min
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 . Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions....
Jan 29, 2025•35 min
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 c...
Jan 22, 2025•38 min
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 appearanc...
Jan 14, 2025•55 min
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...
Dec 20, 2024•1 hr 12 min
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, e...
Dec 05, 2024•1 hr 2 min
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 ...
Nov 20, 2024•51 min
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 compet...
Nov 14, 2024•55 min
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 des...
Nov 07, 2024•46 min
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 developi...
Oct 29, 2024•1 hr 6 min
Emily Wilkins, founder of Marketing Metal , helps job shops, machine shops, metal fabricators, custom equipment builders, and other small manufacturing businesses build their brands and tell their stories. She returns for her second appearance on The Fabricator Podcast, and provides comprehensive marketing services, including website development, content creation, and social media management. Wilkins emphasizes something she calls "Specific Human Optimization" (or SHO, similar to SEO strategy), ...
Oct 08, 2024•51 min
Sharon Cobb, the associate program manager for NASA's Space Launch System, discussed the innovative technologies and manufacturing processes being used to build the massive rocket that will enable this new era of space exploration. Cobb is one of the forces behind NASA's Artemis program, which aims to send humans back to the moon for the first time in over 50 years and develop plans for a sustained presence and future exploration of Mars. Cobb highlighted the critical role that small businesses ...
Oct 01, 2024•43 min
Jay Lockett of Kansas City-based Jay Fabwerks joins us to talk about how he made the jump from a hobby welder working on cars to creating a metal fabrication business that serves everything from working on custom railings to structural fab projects, and how he did it in a non-traditional way without formal welding education. Jay also chats about embracing an entrepreneurial mindset, hiring workers, his love of cars, dropping a V8 engine into an BMW 3 Series, how he almost chose a career as chef,...
Sep 17, 2024•1 hr 24 min
Jason and Miranda Chiasson, owners of Chiasson Smoke based in Blue River, Wis., discuss their journey developing their metal fabrication business. They share how they went from creating custom spurs to expanding a product mix focused on rocket stoves, grills, smokers, fire pits, custom signs, and more. They share the growing pains of running a small business on their family homestead, the role social media and digital marketing has played in their success, and their focus on efficiency and conti...
Sep 10, 2024•1 hr 15 min
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 furnit...
Aug 20, 2024•59 min
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 conv...
Aug 13, 2024•1 hr 1 min
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 f...
Jul 30, 2024•45 min
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 highlig...
Jul 16, 2024•52 min
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 in...
Jul 02, 2024•1 hr 7 min
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 ...
Jun 25, 2024•1 hr 5 min
Jeff Cupples, the president of Jackson, Tenn.-based Cupples J&J Company, discusses his experience with laser cutting machines and the benefits of high-powered lasers. He explains how his job shop has pushed the envelope with laser cutting technology, constantly seeking more power, speed, and acceleration. He emphasizes the importance of consistency in materials and the advantages of using high-powered lasers for precision cutting. Cupples also discusses his company's use of robotic welding c...
Jun 11, 2024•1 hr 1 min
