February 28, 2025 Benchmark Abrasives

Aaron Hagar (Rat Runners Garage)

Welcome to this week's #benchmarkspotlight (formerly the #weldershowcase) - we had the opportunity to sit down with Aaron from Rat Runners Garage 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: Aaron Hager

Business Name: Rat Runners Garage

Location: South Lake Tahoe, CA

Socials: IG: @aaronhagar FB: Rat Runners Garage

Website: http://theratrunnersgarage.com

YouTube: Rat Runners Garage

Specialties: The art of preserving and resurrecting old relics.

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

My name is Aaron Hagar. I have been an automotive enthusiast all my life! It runs in my family. My father always had cool, unusual and exotic cars growing up. As a young adult I did not have the lifestyle to own such exotics, so I found a way to “afford” something fun and unique. I started building, restoring and servicing my own vehicles. From the abandoned freebies, to the cheap budget projects left behind I was able to afford some great cars in my journey. Now they find me!

What keeps you motivated throughout the day?
The find, the fix and being able to bring an old relic back to life!

What is your favorite shop tool and why?
My favorite shop tool? A lift!!! As I get older a two post lift is a life saver! I don’t currently have one! But really, it’s hard to have a favorite! Maybe the actual answer is “whatever tool does the job!”

What's your favorite piece that you've worked on?
Piece? impossible, it is a creative process for me, an extension of my artistry. Each vehicle is an evolution from the last. The ones I hold on to keep evolving. Several are in museums and I can’t wait to get them back to take them to the next level. I learn as I go and improve as I learn.

If you could have any job as it relates to question 1 what would it be and what would you do with that?
I am and have always been independent of the workforce. I have had the luxury of being self-employed nearly all my life. It’s always hard and in the past often a failure at some point, but starting from zero provides a drive that is hard to match when employed by a corporation. I have made a living as an artist mostly and in the automotive space as a tv host, builder, fabricator, designer and producer.

What BA product is your favorite and why?

That is a future answer. But I’ll look into the future and say the grinder and cutoff wheels! They are frequently used items and necessary in the world of fabrication. Not every weld is perfect and something always needs to be cut by hand!

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

Bryan Fuller. He is a master fabricator and designer. I admire his skill and design style. I relate to him in so many ways and could learn so much from that experience.

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

Advice? Watch, learn, ask questions, practice and don’t let anyone talk you down! Stay on your path with maximum passion and never hesitate to just try it! So many accomplishments are happy accidents! You never know until you just go for it and try something!

What are your future plans for your shop?

I recently procured a new shop after a 14 month hiatus! I am eager to reinvent my space in this old airplane hangar, embrace its challenges and start fresh after almost 18 years in my old shop! So much to do!!

Thanks for sitting with us and sharing your story with the community - is there anything you'd like to add?

Just a huge THANK YOU for your interest, generosity and helping us all with providing the necessary tools for our passion while encouraging creativity in a safe environment. Safety is quality and you provide quality products!!

A Note From Leo

Thanks for sharing your story with us, Aaron! So glad to have you with us and really looking forward to seeing what you build next. I also need to get myself another bottle of Beach Bar Rum!!