Jasin Hope (@robot_art_junky)
Welcome to this week's #weldershowcase - we had the opportunity to sit down with Jasin from @robot_art_junky 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: Jasin Hope Business Name: Robot Art Junky Location: Portland, OR Socials: IG: @robot_art_junky @highstandardsfabrication Websites: robot-art-junky.com Specialties: Custom Fabrication |
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Tell us about yourself - what inspired you to get into your trade? And how long? A friend of mine who was also in the restaurant/bar industry started welding. He showed me the basics. It was fun to weld and knock back a couple of beers. This was 13-14 years ago, but I didn’t really start producing stuff till about 10 years ago.
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What keeps you motivated throughout the day? my shop and music. Speakers were the first things to go in. |
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What is your favorite shop tool and why? I’d love to say my Hobart Welder but it’s the Certiflat welding tables that make it all happen. |
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What's your favorite piece that you've worked on? That’s hard, the great thing about custom fabrication is that every project is different. No groundhog days…!! |
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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? I’ve got it. I work for myself and am lucky enough to choose the projects I work on. I say luck, but it really comes down to a solid customer base. |
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What BA product is your favorite and why?
Hands down are the Fiber Disc of varying grit and the extra coarse Paint Stripping Cup Wheel. |
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What BA product surprised you in terms of quality - what about it set it apart from the competition?
I basically keep 3 grinders loaded at all times plus one more with a cut off wheel. With this setup and utilizing BA products I get plenty of life out of each one. The Fiber Disc are the absolute best though. They can remove a lot of material and cost about sixty cents each. You just can’t beat that!! |
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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?
Really using the 3 grinder combo will vastly improve the finished project. 36 grit disc for knocking down welds while staying flat with the surface. 120 flapper to clean up. Paint Stripper to buff and feather finalizing the weld/joint. |
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If there was one person you could collaborate with - who would it be and why?
I honestly don’t know. I didn’t go to school for welding or take a class. So from that aspect I don’t really know who the big legends are. I draw inspiration from the people I chat with on Instagram the most. There are quite a few people out there who are very knowledgeable, willing to share info, and just straight up have good attitudes. @skybluecustom @portland_ironworks @jaymonemakes are a few of my favorites!!
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Do you have any advice for the next generation that you wish you had when you first started?
For myself I found it important in the beginning to take every job that came my way. If someone was willing to pay me to weld, then I was willing to figure out how to make it work. Now I can pick and choose as I have a portfolio of work to base my pricing on. |
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What are your future plans for your shop?
Well when I first built the addition to my garage shop I thought “there’s so much space”! Now I’m already considering the next addition…
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Thanks for sitting with us and sharing your story with the community - is there anything you'd like to add?
Well thank you for taking the time to talk “shop”! It’s never too late to learn a trade. I didn’t learn to weld until I was in my thirties. Now I literally turn down more work than I take. College is overrated and expensive. Learn a trade and retire early!!! |
A Note From Leo
Thanks for sharing your story with us, Jasin! Love how you have multiple grinders for different parts of the process. Pretty much how I would go about things. Really glad you're enjoying our BA product too!