Hunter Norman (@xnormanxii)
Welcome to this week's #benchmarkspotlight (formerly the #weldershowcase) - we had the opportunity to sit down with Hunter from @xnormanxii 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: Hunter Norman
Business Name: Deadline Iron Works Location: Wheeling WV
Specialties: Custom Motorcycle Fabrication
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Tell us about yourself - what inspired you to get into your trade? And how long? I just got tired of waiting on other people or constantly having to ask for help. I just started buying tools and figuring it out. Its taken me a few years to develop the skills i have now and I constantly try to improve them everyday
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What keeps you motivated throughout the day? Definitely my 3 dogs and my girlfriend. My dogs wonder into the shop and drool all over the place and hangout while i work. My girlfriend enjoys helping me when i need it and pushing me to maintain high quality and performance when I’m working. |
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What is your favorite shop tool and why? Milwaukee M12 Die grinder. Its extremely satisfying to use. Put a 6amp hour battery on it and quick change discs from Benchmark Abrasives and blend away. |
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What's your favorite piece that you've worked on? I really enjoyed building my last personal bike which was a 2001 Harley Davidson Dyna. The factory frames are fine but they look terrible with a mixture of round tube, square tube, and sheet metal all used in different sections of the frame. I cut it up and redid the entire thing with round tube and it seemed to perform a lot better too. I had never seen anyone put together a bike the way i had it in my head so it was cool to see it turn out exactly how i wanted it to. |
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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 would like to take on some bigger metal construction jobs. Handrails, ornamental gates and doors. |
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What BA product is your favorite and why?
All of the 2” and 3” quick change discs I have used a lot of them but the BA seem to Last significantly longer than other brands. |
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What BA product surprised you in terms of quality - what about it set it apart from the competition?
Not a specific product but the variety of options that BA has to offer is one of the best things about the company. If not for BA I would be ordering products from multiple companies to get everything I need. For Example try finding a 9/16 hole saw anywhere else.
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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?
Tig Tungsten sharpening. Put your BA tungsten in your drill and squeeze the trigger while holding the tip of the tungsten on the belt sander (with a clean belt of course) at your preferred angle |
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If there was one person you could collaborate with - who would it be and why?
Johnny Emerick. I always like the projects he’s involved in. Extremely talented fabricator who blends vintage with modern without making things look out of place.
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Do you have any advice for the next generation that you wish you had when you first started?
Try not to buy the cheapest tools you can get. Even if you have to save for a while it will cost less in the long run to buy quality tools.
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What are your future plans for your shop?
Be better. Faster. Stronger.
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A Note From Leo
Thanks for sharing your story with us, Hunter! That Tungsten tip sharpening....tip, ain't a bad idea. Lol Interesting stuff.. Cheers!