Joe Mrozek
Welcome to this week's #benchmarkspotlight (formerly the #weldershowcase) - we had the opportunity to sit down with Joe 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!
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Name: Joe Mrozek
Business Name: Marewk Boats
Location: Wisconsin
Website: www.marewkboats.com
Specialties: Custom boat builder
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Tell us about yourself - what inspired you to get into your trade? And how long? Retired Steamfitter/Pipeline welder - my dad , steamfitter, WW II vet, greatest generation that had to advance a skill and industry to meet the sad demands of a war. As an apprentice we spent some time at a crane manufacturer and was amazed at the skill of the low hydrogen stick welds done by the old fitters on the pipe latices
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What keeps you motivated throughout the day? Being able to take pride in my work. I guess that's why I didn't mind working with X-Ray and weld inspectors that knew the trade |
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What is your favorite shop tool and why? I suppose it would be a combo of my Edwards iron worker/ pipe bender - Lincoln precisio 275 tig welder . Really get into bending , coping alloy pipe and tubing then making them fillets like stacked dimes. |
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What's your favorite piece that you've worked on? Probably a 19X80 center dual console handicap accessible semi vee fishing boat with a built in wheelchair lift |
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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? Luckily for myself I now have it - building custom boats in my shop . 40 years working on the road away from my family, in all kinds of weather, makes me appreciate a climate controlled shop. |
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What BA product is your favorite and why?
The 36 grit 4-1/2 flap disc
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What BA product surprised you in terms of quality - what about it set it apart from the competition?
The 7-1/4 60T aluminum saw blade for the circular saw / Lasted longer, cost availability, previous vendor could not ship
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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 scrap wood pieces directly underneath aluminum when using circular saw / aluminum blade it will control the chip discharge, clean the teeth allowing blade to stay cool , if you want to use the carbide end tool and you don't have to weld on it later use wax { hockey stick } or bar soap on carbide |
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If there was one person you could collaborate with - who would it be and why?
Joe Martin, Iron Resurrection . I just bought a couple 42 Dodge pickup to restore. Always wanted to build a WWII era truck in a welding rig format to honor the old tradesmen what they went thru and what they taught us |
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Do you have any advice for the next generation that you wish you had when you first started?
Protect your eyes , ears , lungs , and backs and Treat everyone as you would like to be treated
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What are your future plans for your shop?
Do fewer boats , enjoy and share customers passions, Start my street rod Thank You
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A Note From Leo
Thanks for sharing your story with us, Joe! Much respect for all of your hard work and always honoring the old vets and tradesmen from back in the day.