Dr Brian Reed (Sands CISD FFA)
Welcome to this week's #benchmarkspotlight (formerly the #weldershowcase) - we had the opportunity to sit down with Dr. Reed from SandsFFA and talk a little shop.
If you would like to be featured in our weekly spotlight (100% FREE) and have a chance at winning one of our Grinder Hoods please send us an email to leo.benchmarkabrasives@gmail.com to get you scheduled in an upcoming week. And for those of you that take the time to share your story with us, we'd be happy to provide a free BA banner. These spotlights are intended to highlight your skill, your business, and your tips and tricks. Most of all it's to have a little fun!
 |
Name: Dr. Brian Reed
Business Name: Sands CISD FFA
Location: Ackerly, TX
Socials: FB: Sands FFA
Specialties: Everything Ag
|
|
Tell us about yourself - what inspired you to get into your trade? And how long? I grew up on a purebred cattle farm in Missouri. Developed a love for all agriculture. I ended up with a doctorate in Animal Science. Became a high school Ag teacher in Texas about 20 years ago after teaching at the college level. Started with Agricultural Mechanics in 2016.
|
 |
 |
What keeps you motivated throughout the day? The kids. Seeing them learn new skills while fabricating projects for the Texas Major Shows. |
|
What is your favorite shop tool and why? Hard to say. I have a love/hate relationship with my plasma table. We run all Miller welders, mostly 252’s. My grinders are all Metabo. |
|
 |
What's your favorite piece that you've worked on? The kids have built some really cool things. One of the best was a 12’ Outdoor Kitchen. Won class and Division at San Antonio Ag Mech Show. Kid received a $10,000 scholarship) |
|
If you could have any job as it relates to question 1 what would it be and what would you do with that? I can’t imagine doing anything else! |
 |
 |
What BA product is your favorite and why?
My current favorite are the purple stripper disks. I bet we have gone through over 250 of them since school started this year.
|
|
What BA product surprised you in terms of quality - what about it set it apart from the competition?
I wasn’t surprised by BA quality. I had been told they were some of the best on the market. I found that to be true and don’t buy any other brand unless it's an emergency.
|
 |
 |
What tips and tricks do you have for us that might be different or eye opening for others to try with BA product?
I use the stripper disks for all cooking surfaces.
|
|
If there was one person you could collaborate with - who would it be and why?
There are several Ag teachers that would be awesome to work with in building projects. Jeff Sockwell, Clint Wilson, Jay Newton and Charles Prause are at the top of my list.
|
 |
 |
Do you have any advice for the next generation that you wish you had when you first started?
Ask questions! Young AG teachers are not getting the amount of shop time in college that they need when they get a teaching job. Right now, high schools are looking for Ag teachers that can do shop.
|
|
What are your future plans for your shop?
We are currently building a new school building. That will include a new shop that will be 150% the size of the current shop. More space means more and bigger projects!
|
|
 |
Thanks for sitting with us and sharing your story with the community - is there anything you'd like to add?
I want to thank Benchmark Abrasives for their support of the Texas High School Welding Series. BA recognizes the need to invest in the next generation of fabricators.
|
A Note From Leo
Thanks for sharing your story with us, Dr. Reed! It's great to see you teaching the next generation of welders and watching their talent grow.