Tyler Arendec (@tiggystardust_)
Welcome to this week's #weldershowcase - we had the opportunity to sit down with Tyler from @tiggystardust_ 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: Tyler Arendec Business Name: Flow State Fabrication Location: Cleveland, OH Socials: IG: @tiggystardust_ Specialties: Pipe Welding, General Fabrication, Metal Art |
|
Tell us about yourself - what inspired you to get into your trade? And how long? After high school I joined the Air Force for 4 years and sat in a command center with no windows, directing base operations, training and real world missions. When I got out of the service I just needed to do something with my hands. I vowed never to go back to that kind of environment and to work with my hands each and every day. I had no idea what welding even was. My dad and grandfather suggested learning how to weld so I dove in head first. Learned how to tig/mig/stick in a few months and the rest is history.
|
|
|
What keeps you motivated throughout the day? Liquid IV and the fact that I have people in my life that I need to provide for. And my dog. |
|
What is your favorite shop tool and why? My fab table and my self-modified table clamps from harbor freight. Because fab work with a good table makes a huge difference in the end result |
|
|
What's your favorite piece that you've worked on? Definitely the life size copper tree trunk I welded up for @hansnobledesign that was a once in a lifetime build. Welded 100% with copper romex wire. |
|
If you could have any job as it relates to question 1 what would it be and what would you do with that? Underwater welder or fabricating armor for US humvees and tanks would be cool too. Either that or working west coast choppers and learning from Jesse James would be a very fulfilling opportunity. |
|
|
What BA product is your favorite and why?
The 40 grit flap disc because it straight up eats metal for breakfast and creates less work for the user.
|
|
What BA product surprised you in terms of quality - what about it set it apart from the competition?
|
|
|
What tips and tricks do you have for us that might be different or eye opening for others to try with BA product?
When grinding a weld down, don’t hit any of the surrounding material until the weld is ground too. Otherwise it will look gouged and nobody likes gouged metal.
|
|
If there was one person you could collaborate with - who would it be and why?
@dabswellington we’ve collabed through the mail but doing something in person would be dope and it needs to happen.
|
|
|
Do you have any advice for the next generation that you wish you had when you first started?
Pick the brain of everyone around you. Most experienced guys/girls are happy to share their knowledge. There’s so many ways to get to the finish line. Practice all of them, then choose the way that suits you best.
|
|
What are your future plans for your shop?
I recently purchased a cnc plasma table. I plan to learn the ins and outs and use it to further my side gigs
|
|
|
Thanks for sitting with us and sharing your story with the community - is there anything you'd like to add?
Never quit |
A Note From Leo
Thanks for sharing your story with us, Tyler! Making stuff with your hands makes a huge difference from sitting around in a boxed up room/cubicle.
Keep Grindin!