Ryan Watson (IG: primemetalfab_)
Welcome to this week's #weldershowcase - we had the opportunity to sit down with Ryan from @primemetalfab_ 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: Ryan Watson Business Name: Prime Metal Fabrication LLC Location: Morrisville, PA Socials: IG: @primemetalfab_ FB: PRIMEmetalFabrication Websites: www.primemetalfab.com Specialties: Fabrication of custom iron railings, tables, gates, and fences |
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Tell us about yourself - what inspired you to get into your trade? And how long? I’ve been a welder/fabricator for 8 years now and in August my business will celebrate its 1-year anniversary. I have always been fascinated at the thought of someone being able to put two pieces of metal together and I was inspired by my cousin Harry who I worked under for many years, he taught me the basics of how to weld. Also, my dad owns a fence and ironworks business, so I was always around the tools and materials needed to weld, and once I finally decided that digging holes for a fence company wasn’t for me, I started messing around in the shop welding scrap metal pieces together and I quickly picked it up and was obsessed ever since. I love art and although I can’t draw, I found out I sure can weld/fabricate. So, I think I found my art medium.
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What is your favorite shop tool and why?
My favorite shop tool is my $300 Harbor Freight Vertical Bandsaw
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What's your favorite piece that you've worked on?
My favorite piece that I’ve fabricated is my Infinity Coffee Table.
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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?
If I could have any job, it would be the job I have – owning my own fabrication business. My plan is to keep watering my business daily and watch it grow through hard work and God’s Will.
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What BA product is your favorite and why?
My favorite BA product is most definitely the T29 Zirconia flap disk.
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What BA product surprised you in terms of quality - what about it set it apart from the competition?
The Zirconia flap disc surprised me with its durability, longevity, and great price! |
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If there was one person you could collaborate with - who would it be and why?
I’m not sure who I would like to collaborate with, that’s a great question I’ll have to keep thinking about.
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Do you have any advice for the next generation that you wish you had when you first started?
My advice for the next generation would be to pursue a Tech/Trade School instead of the conventional school systems. I’m a self-taught welder/fabricator and I wonder sometimes how different my skills would be had I gone to a trade school. |
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What are your future plans for your shop?
My future shop plans are to acquire a CNC Plasma Cutting Table so I can take PRIME to the next level and expand on my artistic mediums.
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A Note From Leo
Thanks for sharing your story with us, Ryan! Glad to see you keeping your pop's business alive and growing for another generation.