Kevin Baas (IG: kevinteachbaas)
Welcome to this week's #weldershowcase - we had the opportunity to sit down with Kevin aka TEACH from @kevinteachbaas 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!
This week's #WELDERSHOWCASE is...
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Name: Kevin "TEACH" Baas
Business Name: Lakeville North STEM Teacher/ Baas Metal Craft
Country/State Location: US/ LAKEVILLE, MN
Website(s): www.
Your Specialties: High school shop teacher, vintage Harley-Davidson builder, metal fabricator
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Tell us about yourself - what inspired you to get into your trade (backstory)? And how long? I was inspired by my father who was a sheet metal worker and my high school shop teachers. I wasn't much for school except for my shop classes. I loved working with my hands, I knew I needed to pursue a career in teaching. I have been a shop teacher now for 25 years and I love it! |
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What keeps you motivated throughout the day? My students inspire me every day, seeing the excitement and creativity in those young minds energizes me. |
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What is your favorite shop tool and why? My BA flap discs on the angle grinder. We use this all the time. It's a great way to shape and sculpt metal to make it do exactly what you want. |
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What's your favorite piece that you've worked on? The custom chopper we built for Born Free 5 motorcycle show in California, it won BEST PANHEAD in the show! |
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What BA product is your favorite and why? All the flap discs grinding wheels, they are top quality and are awesome for any metal work! |
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What BA product surprised you in terms of quality - what about it set it apart from the competition? The flap discs, they last way longer than the competition and smooth out metal amazing! |
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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 (insert product)?
Prior preparation is key on any weld but when something slips by and your welds aren't perfect BA flap wheels can help clean that up.
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If there was one person you could collaborate with - who would it be and why? The late Jessie Combs, she was an inspiration and an amazing soul! |
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Do you have any advice for the next generation that you wish you had when you first started? Don't give up, follow your dreams, follow your heart and follow your PASSION- there is no failure in that! |
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What are your future plans for your shop? Keep building cool things and grow to help more students learn a passion for welding and metal fabrication. |
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Thanks for sitting with us and sharing your story with the community - is there anything you'd like to add?
Thank you to BA for making quality affordable products that help us do our job better.
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A Note From Leo
Thanks for sharing your story with us, Teach! We really look up to all the welding instructors in our community and there's quite a bit. Each one is dedicated to their craft and passing on their knowledge to the next generation. You've got our respect and we look forward to seeing your students make a future for themselves with the knowledge they got from you. Cheers!