Stephen "Wulf" Miller (@theidlehandsworkshop)
Welcome to this week's #benchmarkspotlight (formerly the #weldershowcase) - we had the opportunity to sit down with Stephen from @theidlehandsworkshop 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: Stephen "Wulf" Miller
Business Name: The Idle Hands Workshop
Location: Milton, FL
Socials: IG: @theidlehandsworkshop FB: myidlehandsworkshop Twitter: idle_workshop TikTok:
Website: idlehandsworkshop.
YouTube: The Idle Hands Workshop
Specialties: Honestly I don't have any one specialty, basically if I want to do it I do. I really enjoy woodworking and just making things in general. I just purchased a forge and a CNC machine so I'm all over the place but a lot of my skills overlap and can be used together for things like restoring my horse trailer.
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Tell us about yourself - what inspired you to get into your trade? And how long? This is an odd one, I miss the skills I learned in school. Back in the day we were taught how to use tools in shop, mechanics, woodshop, etc. and I am thankful for being brought up when I was because those skills I learned have allowed me to tackle almost anything I want to make/restore. This gives me a hobby with endless possibilities because I can take raw materials and make things from them. Toss in being a disabled veteran with PTSD I try to push my limits and help others do the same.
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What keeps you motivated throughout the day? My family and my horses. It takes a lot to be a good person and taking care of my family and the 5 horses, 3 of which are rescues, allows me to have a focus and drive to see things through and make sure my family is always fed and the horses that trust me to take care of them have the best we can give them. One of our rescues is an Off The Track Thoroughbred, a real racehorse, that someone left alongside the interstate to die. |
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What is your favorite shop tool and why? Lately it's a toss up between my welder and my angle grinders which go hand in hand. The welder allows me to work with metal and make things and the angle grinders with their wide variety of discs and cutters also allows me to clean my welds up but also bring out the best in my pieces as I clean them up. |
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What's your favorite piece that you've worked on? Right now my most favorite thing I've worked on has been my horse trailer which is still a work in progress. Seems everytime I fix one problem I find 10 more. Having a 1 ton horse also means I have to think way outside the box as I restore it. |
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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? That's a tough one because I've worked in so many trades. I guess if I had to narrow things down I would like to just be a "maker" as they call us these days. |
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What BA product is your favorite and why?
Hands down the grinding hood !!! This thing is incredible and I love it. It fits well, fits over my respirator, and keeps me safe which as I get older is very important.
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What BA product surprised you in terms of quality - what about it set it apart from the competition?
Easily the flap discs. Since I got the free pack I have been using the very same 40 grit disc for well over 3 weeks now and it STILL chews through anything I throw at it. I thought I had finally killed it but then I use the eraser thing and it came back just as hungry as before and I haven't seen a need to replace it yet. |
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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?
WEAR YOUR SAFETY EQUIPMENT !!! Don't have any ??? Get some. I've had all kinds of injuries that could have been prevented had I worn even the simplest thing as safety glasses. As for tricks that relate to that, getting safety equipment that you can use easily, is comfortable so you don't mind wearing it, and can be used for a wide variety of applications. I can wear the BA grinding hood when I'm woodworking, metalworking, or even doing yard cleanup with the chainsaw. |
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If there was one person you could collaborate with - who would it be and why?
I think I would have to go with Adam Savage from Mythbusters. He has such a broad palette of skills I could see us making something epic.
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Do you have any advice for the next generation that you wish you had when you first started?
Don't be afraid to learn new things. Don't get caught up in the "I wish I could do that" mindset. You can do it, you just have to get off your butt and do it. Never stop learning and trying new things. Keep pushing yourself, even if you have done something before doesn't mean you can't do it again but better.
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What are your future plans for your shop?
Future plans for my shop are to clean it lol. I have almost everything on casters so my shop tools can be moved around but now I have all kinds of tools and accessories I need to get in there and clean it all up.
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Thanks for sitting with us and sharing your story with the community - is there anything you'd like to add?
Honestly I can't think of anything to add aside from I am loving everything I have purchased from BA and will definitely be buying more and adding reviews on my socials.
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A Note From Leo
Thanks for sharing your story with us, Stephen! After 5 years of doing these spotlights, you're the first to mention Adam Savage and that's actually a great one. His wide variety of skills is impressive along with the science behind all of it. The creative options are endless!