Mark Johnson (@thefabgarage)
Welcome to this week's #benchmarkspotlight (formerly the #weldershowcase) - we had the opportunity to sit down with Mark from @thefabgarage 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: Mark Johnson
Business Name: The FAB Garage
Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Socials: IG: @thefabgarage
YouTube: @thefabgarage2869
Specialties: automotive customization and related modifications. Custom suspension design.Mostly minitruck scene related
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Tell us about yourself - what inspired you to get into your trade? And how long? A found love affair with the minitruck genre and building/creating with my hands. The sickness began way back in 1995
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What keeps you motivated throughout the day? Providing for my family and grandkids. That looks on the customers face when you exceed their expectations |
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What is your favorite shop tool and why? So many different tools for different jobs but one of my favorite tools mentally would be my bead roller. It's just a cheap model that I've made countless modifications to suit my needs but it works great for me |
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What's your favorite piece that you've worked on? Would have to be my personal Ford f100 and a Plymouth arrow pickup truck |
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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? Full time shop owner and creator |
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What BA product is your favorite and why?
2" Roloc disks. I use them all the time |
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What BA product surprised you in terms of quality - what about it set it apart from the competition?
The ceramic Roloc disks outlast many other cheaply made counterfeits. |
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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?
buy the 3" disks. Since you primarily us the outer edge in most instances you can usually trim used ones down to utilize on a 2" pad and respectively on the 1" all the following built using your products |
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If there was one person you could collaborate with - who would it be and why?
Bob grant, possibly Mike Finnegan for the adventure aspect of a build/drive scenario
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Do you have any advice for the next generation that you wish you had when you first started?
Don't let hate get to you. Everyone starts somewhere. Don't get discouraged by failure. It's one of the best learning tools that exist
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What are your future plans for your shop?
Hopefully take my craft to full time
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Thanks for sitting with us and sharing your story with the community - is there anything you'd like to add?
The ease of ordering Benchmark abrasives thru Amazon and having them show up right to my door in an extremely quick fashion and for an amazing value. has been a game changer in my ability to keep my drawer stocked and ready to go
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