Our Sites

From The Fabricator

Washington artist creates life-size elk sculptures

A fabricator cuts a pipe with an oxyfuel torch.

Educating, rather than just training, tomorrow's workforce

Press brakes, panel benders, and flat blank calculations

Illustration of a man bursting through a light blub

What software automation means for custom fabrication

From The Welder

Building a successful welding program from the ground up

Close up on submerged arc welding process

The role of flux in submerged arc welding performance

How welders can stay safe during grinding

Sheffield Forgemasters makes global leap in welding technology

From The Tube and Pipe Journal

Get a grip on the misunderstood tube bender motor starter

Students learn fabrication one piece at a time

Robot is welding metal part in car factory

Making the move from hard automation to robotic welding

A square metal tube sits on a piece of machinery.

Fabricator achieves extraordinary with simple approach

From The Fabricator en Español

Soldador soldando con equipo de protección adecuado

Seguridad en la soldadura desde el inicio

Corte láser en una mesa con tablillas de soporte limpias.

Anidado para la estabilidad del corte láser

Un equipo planea el arreglo de un taller.

Prescripción para la reducción del desperdicio: arreglo esbelto de las instalaciones

Un operador suelta una pieza de trabajo metálica cuando ésta es doblada en una prensa dobladora.

Los operadores de prensa dobladora inexpertos hacen indispensable el repensar la seguridad

Ep. 010

Garage Bound owner, fabricator, and mentor: Michael Brandt

Published: 02/07/2023 Running Time: 47:31

After serving prison time, Michael Brandt pursued a metal fabrication and welding career that helped turn his life around. He went from being a self-taught fabricator to starting his own business, Garage Bound LLC, and mentoring younger people in the manufacturing industry. Learn how the ‘Project King’ of Chattanooga built partnerships with Miller Electric and Baileigh Industrial and collaborated on Throne of Flames with Flame Tech. Recorded live at FABTECH 2022.

Jump to 9:22 to get to our talk with Michael Brandt.

At the top, we ask, “What’s the best fast-food burger?” In-N-Out? Five Guys? McDonald’s? The guys weigh in.

Email us at podcast@thefabricator.com with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

The Fabricator Podcast

In This Episode

Read the Still Building America interview with Sharon Hall, who Michael Brandt helped mentor and start a career in metal fabrication.

Michael Brandt also worked on a project with pro fisherman John Garrett to fabricate a custom-built 2021 F-150. Josh Welton talked with Garrett about the project in the Ford booth at SEMA 2021 in Las Vegas.

ABOUT THE FABRICATOR PODCAST:

The Fabricator Podcast brings you conversations with people in manufacturing who make things out of metal. We speak with manufacturers, metal fabricators, welders, job shop owners, small business entrepreneurs, artists, marketers, educators, and more. Host Dan Davis also goes beyond discussing just manufacturing and the skilled trades, and chats about pop culture, current events, food, music, movies, comedy, and, of course, robots. The Fabricator Podcast is presented by the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association.

Hosts: Dan Davis, Jim Gorzek

Producer/Editor: Gareth Sleger

Video Producer/Editor: Brandon Geier, Kyle Coleman-Boyer

Ad writer/spokesperson/social media: Sara Spring

Additional video editing: Dana Wiker

Graphics: Billy Kulpa

Marketing support: Elizabeth Gavin, Mary Diamond

Sales support: Andy Flando, Amy Hudson

Web support: Mike Owens, Jared Carlow

Additional support: Ed Youdell, Maurine Semevolos, Lincoln Brunner, Tim Heston, Josh Welton, Darla Welton, Rafael Guerrero, Amanda Carlson-Hicks, Callie Check, Rick Lehnhardt, Judy Steinbach.

Where to listen to The Fabricator Podcast:

Follow The FABRICATOR:

Where to Listen

Behind the scenes photo of a podcast being recorded

About This Podcast

The Fabricator Podcast brings you conversations with people in manufacturing who make things out of metal.

The Fabricator Podcast brings you conversations with people in manufacturing who make things out of metal. We speak with metal fabricators, welders, job shop owners, small business entrepreneurs, artists, marketers, educators, and more. Host Dan Davis also goes beyond discussing just manufacturing and the skilled trades, and chats about pop culture, current events, food, music, movies, comedy, and, of course, robots. The Fabricator Podcast is presented by the Fabricators and Manufacturers Association. We shape the conversation around metal.