David Sanders (IG: @angry_anvil_forge)
Welcome to this week's #weldershowcase - we had the opportunity to sit down with David from @angry_anvil_forge and talk a little shop.
If you would like to be featured in our weekly showcase (100% FREE) please send us an email to leo.benchmarkabrasives@gmail.com to get you scheduled in an upcoming week. These showcases are intended to highlight your skill, your business, and your tips and tricks. Most of all it's to have a little fun!
Enjoy and Grind On!
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Name: David Sanders Business Name: Angry Anvil Forge Location: Virginia Beach, Chesapeake Virginia Socials: IG: @angry_anvil_forge FB: @theangryanvilforge TikTok: @angryanvilforge Websites: Angry Anvil Forge Specialties: I can do just about everything welding wise. When it comes to my welding I like to keep a creative mind. Welding is an art form no matter what you are working on. |
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Tell us about yourself - what inspired you to get into your trade? And how long? I started taking an interest in working with metal in middle school. I used to work with my uncle on little projects and found it very interesting the way he worked on things. Later when I was in Highschool I took 4 years of trade school which was comprised of two years of drafting and two years of welding. After High School I began my 20 year career in the Navy as a Hull Maintenance Technician and Shipfitter. Out of the 3 Navy weld schools I attended for my rating, I graduated as an Honor Graduate an average of two weeks ahead of the class I started out with. Around my 10 year mark in the Navy I started taking interest in blacksmithing and messing around with making metal artwork. In 2014 I started the Angry Anvil Forge and made artwork, custom fabrication projects and welding repairs on the side. I retired from the Navy in 2016 then started working for a custom sign company. I wasn't happy with the job there so I quit and started working for myself full time with the Angry Anvil Forge. All in all I have about 30 years of experience with metal working. I will say I don't know it all but I will try to learn something new each day.
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What keeps you motivated throughout the day? What keeps me motivated throughout the day is my family. I do what I do to help provide the best life for them. They are my rock. |
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What is your favorite shop tool and why? I am a collector of old Tools. The older the better and I will still use them as they were intended. I would say my favorite is a rare over 100 year old manual ironworker made in Germany then sold here in the United States in the early 1900s. The base it sits on is made from the original crate it was shipped in from the factory over 100 years ago. |
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What's your favorite piece that you've worked on? My favorite piece of art I've ever worked on I will say is a fire pit that is made to look like a Navy mine. I made this fire pit to run off propane. It was made for a retired Navy Seal so I put in different parts to help personalize it to the client. |
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What BA product is your favorite and why?
I love using the cutting discs and 60 grit flapper discs for my grinders.
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What BA product surprised you in terms of quality - what about it set it apart from the competition?
The cutting disks have a longer life than a lot of the other cutting disks on the market. Great quality product that I will continue to use in the future. |
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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?
Use the guard on the grinder. I've had wheels explode on me and it's not fun. Take your safety first. |
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If there was one person you could collaborate with - who would it be and why?
If I could collaborate with anyone I would like to say my friend Scott Griffin from @fortmillforge. The guy is very down to earth and a very talented welder and artist. Great guy to know. |
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Do you have any advice for the next generation that you wish you had when you first started?
All I'm going to say for the next generation is to take advantage of the opportunities that will show up in front of you. You never will know where those opportunities will take you and also never stop learning. Every day, try to find something new to learn about. YouTube will be your friend but experience will take you there.
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What are your future plans for your shop?
Future plans for my shop is currently putting my CNC plasma table together. Hope this will be a game changer for my work. |
A Note From Leo
Thanks for sharing your story with us, David! I love that mine pit!