Terry Borkman (@terrbork)
Welcome to this week's #benchmarkspotlight (formerly the #weldershowcase) - we had the opportunity to sit down with Terry from @terrbork 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: Terry Borkman
Business Name: Hot Wrench Fabrication Location: Peoria, AZ YouTube: Hot Wrench Fabrication
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Tell us about yourself - what inspired you to get into your trade? And how long? I have always been a very mechanical person. When I was a young boy spending hours building with Legos and erector sets. Taking apart bicycles and painting them. I started riding motorcycles when I was 7 which progressed into working on them. I always knew I wanted to be a mechanic which I started when I was 16 at a Firestone. I taught myself how to weld and started fabrication when I was 18. I’ve been a mechanic my whole career but Fab work is my passion and hobby. I’ve built motorcycles, cars, trucks, and sandrails. I built my own Dragbike from scratch that ran low 8’s @165 in the quarter. In 12 years of drag racing motorcycles I won 10 championships. Now I’m heavily into sand rails and hotrods.
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What keeps you motivated throughout the day? I have recently started working at home fulltime and absolutely love it. I have the freedom to do what I want and express my creativity through my builds. I get a lot of motivation from YouTube. There are some extremely talented people out there and love learning new techniques and ideas. |
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What is your favorite shop tool and why? One of my favorite and most used tools is the angle grinder |
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What's your favorite piece that you've worked on? One of my favorite builds and definitely the most fun is my sand rail. This is a 06’ Ricochet. I rebuilt it in 20’ featuring a 550HP LS3 and a 4spd trans. I made all the sheet metal panels, headers, radiator supports and a lot more. I put in PRP seats and has a full intercom system. |
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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 am living the dream! I am 60 and working at home in my shop doing whatever I want. I do mechanical, fab work, metal art, signs, ect. I’ll be doing this until I can’t do it anymore. |
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What BA product is your favorite and why?
When I first started using the flap discs I could immediately tell there was a difference. The cut quality and longevity was amazing. I started using the cut off wheels and as I go through my consumables I will start replacing everything with Benchmark Abrasives. |
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What BA product surprised you in terms of quality - what about it set it apart from the competition?
A tool that I recently purchased is a game changer for me. I build a lot of little parts and use a cnc plasma cutter and they all need some grinding, I just got a magnetic chuck and now my part sticks to it without moving when I use my grinder. No more grinding my gloves!
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If there was one person you could collaborate with - who would it be and why? I would love to have a collaboration with Mike Finnegan from Road Kill and Finnegan’s garage. We have very similar backgrounds and skill sets. He seems to be a down to earth person and very meticulous. |
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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 gen fabricators is to just do it! I’m always hearing “I wish I could weld” or “ I wish I knew how to do that”. I bought my first welder at 18 and started welding. No Youtube, No Dad to show me how. All of my skills are self taught and now with resources that are out there, there is no reason why you can learn and “just do it!” (thanks Nike)
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What are your future plans for your shop? I am currently working on a 62 Chevy II for a client. This should take a while. I have another Nova lined up after this. |
A Note From Leo
Thanks for sharing your story with us, Terry! Just Do It! I like it!