April 4, 2025 Benchmark Abrasives

Lee Wiedrich (@vitzyboys)

Welcome to this week's #benchmarkspotlight (formerly the #weldershowcase) - we had the opportunity to sit down with Lee from @vitzyboys 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: Lee Wiedrich

Business Name: Vitzy Choppers

Location: Bismarck, ND

Socials: IG: @vitzyboys

Website: vitzyboyschoppers.bigcartel.com

Specialties: Welding, Fabrication, Hunting down old parts

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

I grew up skateboarding, found choppers, choppers lead me to welding, machining and fabricating. Chasing down old parts and being addicted to seeing new bikes come to life is responsible for most of this. I think i dove in head first about 2012 and have only sped up since

What keeps you motivated throughout the day?
Always playing chopper chess, trying to figure out the next move. It’s just me over here so I’m always staying busy trying to keep the fires burning. Wanting to see the current build through to the end, helps me keep moving.

What is your favorite shop tool and why?
I probably use my tig welder and lathe almost everyday. Definitely my best investments. Acme tools sent me a rad little battery operated Milwaukee band file a while back and that thing is awesome as well.

What's your favorite piece that you've worked on?
My 1965 Panhead (Highland Acres Shaker) I built for Born Free 15 has definitely been the most in depth bike I’ve built. Tried to push myself with the fab and made pretty much everything on this one. Learned a lot and had a lot of fun bringing it to life.

If you could have any job as it relates to question 1 what would it be and what would you do with that?
I decided to do Vitzy Choppers full time by myself in 2017. It’s been a roller coaster, you have ups and downs. But overall I’m very stoked about the doors and opportunities I’ve had because of this. Some days a steady paycheck seems like the way to go, but I think I’m too addicted to the grind and being self employed. So I guess to answer that question, I have the job I want!

What BA product is your favorite and why?

I love this palm sander you guys sent. I’ve used it to help metal finish every part of the current Born Free bike I'm putting together now. Big fan

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

Once again gotta say the palm sander is the best, the Velcro sander pads are the best. I’d spend half the day peeling old sticker sanding pads off sanders in the past. Yours keeps me productive over here.

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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?

No real tricks I can think of per say, but your guys' products have all been great. I like the grinding hood that allows you to wear the noise canceling ear muffs with it, also the respirator fits underneath. Nice when you’re making a big dusty, noisy mess. The red tungsten is great for tig welding, I use the hand and tool wipes everyday. Did I mention I really like the palm sander?

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

I think my favorite part is just teaming up with my other buddies building chopper parts or adding their touch to the scene. Always down to support small businesses, support your friends.

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

Don’t let people get in your head, block them out, use the negative comments as fuel. If you want it, jump in head first and figure it out. Learn things the hard way. Don’t hold back. Sink or swim haha

What are your future plans for your shop?

I'd like to add some more products to my webstore and fill the shop with as many panheads as possible.

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

Thanks to anyone who’s snagged parts, merch or anything off me over the years. You make living this chopper dream possible. Thanks for following the process. Thanks to Bench Mark for sending me quality tools. It’s all appreciated, come say hey at Born Free 16

A Note From Leo

Thanks for sharing your story with us, Lee! Jumping straight into the deep end can either make or break you. Glad to see that you're still afloat after taking the plunge and we're looking forward to seeing your build at the show!