Anton Stout (@stout.welding)
Welcome to this week's #benchmarkspotlight (formerly the #weldershowcase) - we had the opportunity to sit down with Anton from @stout.welding 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. And for those of you that take the time to share your story with us, we'd be happy to provide a free BA banner. 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: Anton Stout |
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Tell us about yourself - what inspired you to get into your trade? And how long? Wrong place at the wrong time I guess. I was sweeping a shop for a crusher/excavation company in high school and they hired this mean old bastard. Tony Munday. Hated everybody in the world. Vietnam vet that went over as a Sgt 1st class and came back as a PFC. Great guy. I was there on a Saturday and he needed a hand tacking stuff up. I fell in love with melting iron and sticking it together and he had a soft spot for me. He took me under his wing and showed me everything. And held me accountable too. He was family.
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What keeps you motivated throughout the day? A few things. Ya know putting food on the table for my family on my own. Not working the 9-5. The risk of owning the business and the investments. Creating the artwork whether it's custom fab or heavy equipment repair. Just taking pride in things. |
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What is your favorite shop tool and why? That's a toughy. Either the homemade line boring machine, the air arc, or the beer fridge. |
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What's your favorite piece that you've worked on? One of the first big jobs I had solo was a twin staircase with railing and concrete landings. I had to fab the super structure for the top deck, stairs, railing and layout for the landings. |
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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? That's a twofer. Has to be. If I could make money, it'd be artwork. If not, heavy equipment fab |
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What BA product is your favorite and why?
The freaking skinny wheels. The 6 inchers. Holy crap. They don't break the bank and they just go. They're a daily. |
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What BA product surprised you in terms of quality - what about it set it apart from the competition?
The flap wheels. The blue ones. They just eat. They eat mill scale, hardox, gloves, my co workers really nice welds, carbon. They just do it. |
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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?
I don't really have any. Keep the 6 inch skinny wheels away from battery grinders. Even the milwaukee ones. The skinny wheels.work way better plugged in. |
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If there was one person you could collaborate with - who would it be and why?
@welder1988. I think it's a she. She's got some phenomenal work. It'd be something artsy. Wood or rock and some iron. And honestly just to see someone's vision. |
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Do you have any advice for the next generation that you wish you had when you first started?
Don't be afraid to ask the old timers to watch. Stay away from drugs. Save the cash. Do something with each paycheck to feed your soul.
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What are your future plans for your shop?
Hahahaha at this point burn the stupid thing down and go work at McDonald's. Haha. No I'm really planning on expanding and adding some tooling. Cnc saws, bigger press brake, laser cutter is in the 20 year plan. Another service truck. |
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Note From Leo
Thanks for sharing your story with us, Anton! Wrong place at the right time is more like it! Glad you fell in love with something just by chance. That's the best way!