Kyle Elkins (@elkmetalworks)
Welcome to this week's #benchmarkspotlight (formerly the #weldershowcase) - we had the opportunity to sit down with Kyle from @elkmetalworks 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!
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Name: Kyle Elkins
Business Name: ELK Metalworks
Location: Bedford MI
Specialties: Metal Fabrication
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Tell us about yourself - what inspired you to get into your trade? And how long? My name is Kyle Elkins. I’m 35. I have two kids, Liam (8) Lyla (4) with my beautiful wife Lauren. My full time job is working as a mechanical contractor that specializes in welded power and process pipe. I started in this business about 10 years ago and just recently started ELK Metalworks as a hobby company in January and have been really enjoying the opportunities that I have gotten from it. I’ve done jobs ranging from residential hand railing, knife making, farm equipment repair, to exhibits at the Detroit auto show.
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What keeps you motivated throughout the day? My kids and my wife. Honestly all I want to do is make them proud and to set a good example as a dad. |
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What is your favorite shop tool and why? This is a toss-up between my ArcDroid plasma CNC and my Dewalt cordless mini bandsaw. I use my bandsaw so much that I have one for my truck, and one for my shop. |
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What's your favorite piece that you've worked on? Hands down my entry for Scrapfest14. It’s a life sized version of the balancing eagle toys from the 90’s. Made entirely out of scrap metal and completed in less than 30 days. (Shout out to my teammate Jason (@The_mad_smitty) for teaming up with me for this piece. Titled ‘Archimedes of Syracuse’ |
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If you could have any job as it relates to question 1 what would it be and what would you do with that? I think everyone has this dream to a degree. But I would love to be able to work for myself one day. Wake up with your family. Walk out to your shop. Schedule and allocate your own time. That would be a dream come true. |
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What BA product is your favorite and why?
BA Flap discs! They last forever and are super high quality. The life and durability are truly superior to other brands.
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What BA product surprised you in terms of quality - what about it set it apart from the competition?
Scrubnutz hand cleaner soap and their cleaning wipes! The hand cleaner is awesome because my hands stop splitting and cracking from the harsh chemicals that I used to use. Also, the wipes are a life-hack. They are tough enough to clean your hands and safe enough to use on your tools and your face. I used to use the ‘ones in a white tub with a blue top’ but if you’ve ever tried those on your face. I bet you didn’t again.
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What tips and tricks do you have for us that might be different or eye opening for others to try with BA product?
Instead of always having a ton of different grit flap discs. Order a more aggressive grit and invest in a variable speed grinder. You will save so much time changing out wheels and greatly increase the lifespan of your flap discs.
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If there was one person you could collaborate with - who would it be and why?
There is this badass metal artist out of Erie, PA who I have met online through this ScrapFest experience named Adam Stempka. I loved art growing up, and I have also always loved the satisfaction of creating something that fixes a problem. Whether it be from metal fabrication, or mechanically. I never really even thought that I could do those two things in tandem until I applied for Scrapfest and had this eye-opening conversation with Adam that just completely changed my scope of what I thought that ELK Metalworks was limited to. He makes these unbelievably awesome large scale metal sculptures. My favorite thing about his style is that he doesn’t just stick to carbon and stainless steel. He uses a lot of copper and other materials that I have no experience with other than sweating and brazing pipe and would love to learn. One of his companies called (metalheads USA) is actually making the plaque for the displaying of the balancing eagle.
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Do you have any advice for the next generation that you wish you had when you first started?
Be coachable. Especially for guys in the trades; It’s tough to admit you aren’t perfect in every area of your craft. Ask questions to the guys who excel in their work. The knowledge they have is very valuable. Be humble enough to admit and recognize that there are people who can do certain facets of your craft better than you, and learn from them to make yourself better. The earlier in your career that you can do this; the more valuable you’ll be!
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What are your future plans for your shop?
Right now my plan is to keep having fun and let it organically happen. I have two young kids in school, and in multiple sports, a full time career, and limited time already. I’m going to continue to treat ELK Metalworks as a hobby and hopefully not burn myself out. Having a passion for something and continuing to grow is important. But your family is everything.
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A Note From Leo
Thanks for sharing your story with us, Kyle! I know all too well how it is trying to balance a full time job, 2 tiny kids, and trying to venture off into a hobby full time. I hope we both can make that happen! Cheers!