Dan Cocks (IG: @dcbuiltllc)
Welcome to this week's #benchmarkspotlight (formerly the #weldershowcase) - we had the opportunity to sit down with Dan from @dcbuiltllc 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. 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!
Enjoy and Grind On!
 |
Name: Dan Cocks
Business Name: DC Built, LLC
Location: Walden, NY
Website: www.dcbuiltllc.com
Specialties: Off-road parts, furniture, custom fabrication, art, forging
|
|
Tell us about yourself - what inspired you to get into your trade? And how long? My introduction with metal work actually started when I took the metalworking merit badge with the Boy Scouts years ago. My fascination with all things fabrication grew from there. By chance, I helped out in a well-known hammersmith's shop- learning as much about forging as possible. I worked in the construction materials testing industry for a number of years which exposed me to a lot of different processes and techniques. Fabrication has always been a hobby until I started doing some side-jobs for people over the years. DC Built was officially formed in 2019 and is still a side-hustle currently, as I'm a construction superintendent during the day.
|
|
 |
What keeps you motivated throughout the day? Small victories and steps forward toward a goal, and the personal growth that comes with succeeding (and failing) in those goals. It's always a lot of small pieces that make up the bigger picture. When I find myself frustrated in my work I try to break it down to the simplest function possible, and check those boxes off to get my "momentum" going again. It's also very rewarding when a client or stranger compliments my work and loves the finished product! |
|
What is your favorite shop tool and why? Although I don't use it very much- probably my Hypertherm plasma gouging torch. It's like a lightsaber eraser for welds! |
 |
 |
What's your favorite piece that you've worked on? There are many for multiple reasons, but oddly enough a walking cane for myself. I broke my leg in 2019 and spent a lot of time on crutches. Although I was back to work on site working from a side-by-side quickly, I was feeling pretty unfulfilled and frustrated that I couldn't keep going with my fabrication projects. Knowing I was going to need a cane for a while, I welded one from some scrap tube and a motorcycle grip. It was an exercise in discomfort and frustration using my left foot to run the TIG pedal- but was a good victory and funny story when it was done. |
|
If you could have any job as it relates to question 1 what would it be and what would you do with that? I currently like my business being a side-hustle. It affords me some freedom and keeps my passion for fabrication alive. I find myself getting bored if I do the same type of work over and over- so I would always like to see diverse projects come my direction. |
 |
|
What BA product is your favorite and why?
40 Grit flap discs for general material prep, but those 2" curved quick change flap discs are the best for prepping tube and fine tuning tube notches! |
|
What BA product surprised you in terms of quality - what about it set it apart from the competition?
The 4-1/2" T1 Cut-Off wheels. You can't beat them for the price and longevity.
|
 |
|
If there was one person you could collaborate with - who would it be and why?
Morgan Clarke from MCD1. That guy is a master fabricator and has an incredible eye for detail and putting simple lines and shape elements into complex chassis structures.
|
|
Do you have any advice for the next generation that you wish you had when you first started?
Don't be afraid to say "no" to jobs and clients that just don't feel right. They aren't right. Good work will find you good work. Document everything.
|
 |
 |
What are your future plans for your shop?
Focus on a few personal projects and grow into a larger space for 2023!
|
|
Thanks for sitting with us and sharing your story with the community - is there anything you'd like to add?
Talk to everyone, ask questions, and be a sponge to information. It's amazing how interrelated all of the trades are, and how you can pull information and experiences from each to better yourself.
|
|
A Note From Leo
Thanks for sharing your story with us, Dan! Hope you're able to make the transition into a full time shop one day where projects are unique enough to keep you motivated.