Rae Ripple (@rae_ripple)
Welcome to this week's #weldershowcase - we had the opportunity to sit down with Rae from @raeripple 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!
|
Name: Rae Ripple Location: Big Spring, TX. Socials: IG: @raeripple FB: @raeripple TikTok: @rae_ripple Websites: www.Raeripple.com Specialties: Metal Sculptor |
|
Tell us about yourself - what inspired you to get into your trade (backstory)? And how long? Somebody brought me a piece of sheet metal and was like, ‘Yo, can you paint my ranch logo on this piece of sheet metal?’ So I did. I was intrigued by metal and what else I could do with it. I progressed from painting on sheet metal to cutting sheet metal pieces with tin snips and joining them together with rivets and baling wire. I used the same method to make a full-scale, intricately detailed metal dress. Which is what inspired me wanting to learn how to weld. I wanted to take my work to the next level.
|
|
|
What keeps you motivated throughout the day? My little family. Everything I do, I do for them. |
|
What is your favorite shop tool and why? My plasma is by far my meat and potatoes. We are in a love affair. |
|
|
What's your favorite piece that you've worked on? I’ve worked on a lot of cool stuff but I have to say, to date… the wings I’m working on for Fabtech. Never did I ever think… man… it’s just crazy. |
|
If you could have any job as it relates to question 1 what would it be and what would you do with that? Before art, I was a tow truck driver. I’m definitely blessed that I get to make art for a living… but that is still my favorite of all favorite jobs I ever had. I’d definitely do it again! |
|
|
What BA product is your favorite and why? The flap disc. All grits lol. Yes I said all grits. I work with scrap metal so I run through discs. But BA is the only ones I’ve ever used that last. That’s why I fucking love you guys! You keep me working longer! |
|
What BA product surprised you in terms of quality - what about it set it apart from the competition? The grinding hood. That thing is meant. And I just found out today y’all have shades for it. Total game changer. |
|
|
If there was one person you could collaborate with - who would it be and why? David Madero. Hands down one of the greatest artist of all time. His work… I aspire to be on the level he is. The way he builds with just the vision in his head… absolutely incredible. |
|
Do you have any advice for the next generation that you wish you had when you first started? To fail means to stop. So when shit doesn’t work out, it’s a mere redirection. Follow it. You will go through chapter, upon chapter before you find who you are and when you do, build that life. But don’t ever stop. Only if you stop, you have then failed. |
|
|
What are your future plans for your shop? To expand. I want to build bigger. Better. Think small, stay small. Think big… well you know the rest. |
A Note From Leo
Thanks for sharing your story with us, Rae! You're always doing something crazy cool and slaying it.. all. the. time. We love having you on our team and look forward to all your future products!