August 15, 2025 Benchmark Abrasives

Jason Davidson (@jaydewelder)

Welcome to this week's #benchmarkspotlight (formerly the #weldershowcase) - we had the opportunity to sit down with Jason from @jaydewelder 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: Jason Davidson

Business Name: Governors Architectural Salvage

Location: Virginia

Socials: IG: @jaydewelder IG: @governorssalvage

Website: www.governorsantiques.com

YouTube: @jaydewelder

Specialties: Repair of antique gates, fencing, cast iron, brass, & custom furniture. Industrial construction repair, industrial & garden design.

Tell us about yourself - what inspired you to get into your trade? And how long?

Been doing it for 6 years. Kind of a rabbit hole that got me into it. I took up blacksmithing as a hobby to release some stress from working as a Barista for the past 12 years, i wanted to make a tool I needed to make something for the hobby, that I saw a video on and welding was involved, and was like we'll gotta learn welding then, so I found a place that taught it to learn and become certified and was like we'll, might as well get a certification and see if I can change jobs ,Tried to take off work for the day I had the classes every week, they wouldn't let me so I quit my job, took the classes for a month, luckily I got a job as an apprentice with my Mentor John Holiday or as everyone called him "Doc" 70 year old man that taught me everything about welding and repair of construction equipment and bridge work, so I got really good at welding and fabrication.

Decided to change directions after doing a few custom projects for friends making kitchen islands and nightstands, later and found a place that salvaged antique iron fencing, gates and made custom gates and furniture for customers and got to really explore a more creative side of welding in an art form than just repair work that I only knew at the time.

So in all because I wanted to make a tool that needed welding for a blacksmithing tool I became a welder and now can build anything I want....never did build that tool I needed.

What keeps you motivated throughout the day?
I got an hour drive to and from work so I get some time to myself to think of projects or ideas I wanna build, and there is so much inspiration where I'm at it keeps me motivated. Like what can I make out of it, and we get some wild requests for stuff, currently have a project taking an engine block and making a coffee table out of it. So having something different everyday is a great motivation

What is your favorite shop tool and why?
It's a weird one but a handmade scroll bender, without it I wouldn't be able to make the scrollwork or repairs needed for the more ornate gates and fences.

What's your favorite piece that you've worked on?
This huge arbor with gates, repurposed iron porch columns, hand bent the scrollwork and it was all my design and build.

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 I found a calling in making arbors and garden design elements, it's fun, it's different and I get to play around with any style of Architectural designs. I'm not just making something for plants to grow on but a timeless art installation as I see it.

What BA product is your favorite and why?

Flap discs, the jumbo ones, they just grind fast and last a while, usually one through an entire project. Plus that edge is nice for smoothing welds in corners.

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What BA product surprised you in terms of quality - what about it set it apart from the competition?

The Flap discs, they just eat anything, last long and they don't wear out as fast as others I've used. I spend more time actually fabricating and working than having to grind.

What tips and tricks do you have for us that might be different or eye opening for others to try with BA product?

It's a weird one and used in certain situations. Ferriers call it hot rasping when the metal is still hot you grind it with a rasp file and it really cleans stuff up with a nice finish. You can take off a lot of material quickly when its still hot. I'll do it with the Flap disc or a grinding disc it burns them up a bit quicker but I can grind welds down quick and round out edges very clean and shape them. Kind of a situational technique

If there was one person you could collaborate with - who would it be and why?

I think it would be Rae Ripple. Her stuff on instagram popped up one day using a plasma cutter to cut steel in such cool patterns and designs that she just draws with fire and it would be cool to have some of those designs in like gates or arbors that I make.

Do you have any advice for the next generation that you wish you had when you first started?

Someone once told me, do what interests you and if you don't like it, you know what you dont wanna do. If you got an idea or want to do something make it happen, I did this late in life and there is always still time

What are your future plans for your shop?

Hopefully make more cool creative pieces, get more wild and creative, kind of make a niche of the guy who can build you that secret garden.

A Note From Leo

Thanks for sharing your story with us, Jason! Have you tried "drawing with fire" for one of your gates? That would be a cool thing to try out yourself! Cheers!!