Preserving WWII History, one part at a time
Vultures Row Aviation in Cameron Park, California specializes in the restoration and reproduction of World War II Warbirds. Many have been shot down or recovered from oceans and jungles. All being rebuilt or repaired with surgical precision, newly fabricated parts or hand shaped panels. President, metal shaper and visionary Chuck Wahl is a rare breed.…
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Land of Wonderment: A Visit to Gas Monkey Garage
Passing from Gas Monkey Garage’s corporate offices into car territory, you might notice a white line painted on the floor. This line tells Richard Rawlings that it’s showtime. The shop owner explains: “when we were running and gunning and making Fast N’ Loud, [with] all a sundry of things going on, I’m trying to keep…
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Pieces of History: Brandan Gauthier and Gauthier Furniture
When an old building is destroyed, what happens to the parts, the physical remnants of all the labor and craftsmanship that went into the structure? All too often, those components are simply discarded. As historic buildings in Wisconsin’s Manitowoc County fell, Brandan Gauthier decided to do something with the unique bits and pieces left behind.…
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A Relationship with Metal: Josh Freeman and Freeman Fabrication
Some people seem to light up when they talk about their passions. Josh Freeman is one of them. Watching and listening to Freeman in his Denton, Texas shop, Freeman Fabrication, you can’t miss the joy and contagious enthusiasm for metal fabrication. As Freeman explains, “The ‘less is more’ doesn’t work for me. I like to…
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Moving Metal in Style: John McGraw Jr. and Flashback Kustoms
John McGraw Jr. started down his career path early in life, to say the least. “My parents told me that I knew how to tighten and loosen bolts before I could talk,” he remembers. McGraw’s father raised him around the dirt cars he raced. “As far as metal shaping background goes, it leads back to…
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A Quest to Create: Pete Watkins and Dexterous Engineering
Look up the word “dexterous” in the dictionary, and you’ll see that it means nimble and skillful with the hands and the mind. It’s an apt description for Pete Watkins’s work—and a fitting name for his shop, Dexterous Engineering. From Watkins’s perspective, “metal is metal.” Which means he tackles all kinds of projects without allowing…
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Passionate About the Craft: Mike Wagner and Cornfield Customs
Mike Wagner of Cornfield Customs Ltd. has made a name for himself with masterpieces on wheels. He’s a metal shaping star on social media. But the craft is its own reward for this self-described introvert. “I like to work, but the only time I really feel free is when I’m shaping metal,” he says. “I…
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Hungry for Success: Josh Romaker and Caged Crow Customs
Just looking at Josh Romaker’s handiwork might make your stomach growl. At Caged Crow Customs in Saint Germain, Wisconsin, Romaker builds stylish, attention-grabbing food carts and trailers that fit the flavors and personality of the eatery. Caged Crow also creates one-of-a-kind concessions trailers and pop-up shops. “We’ve never built the same thing twice here at…
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Keeping the Craft Going: American Metal Customs
Hot rods. Motorcycles. Whisky. Rock and roll. American Metal Customs builds, modifies, and services epic bikes and cars while celebrating the mystique that goes with them. American Metal owner Chris Bishop and lead builder and shop manager Josh Allison have teamed up to exemplify the best in American craftsmanship and, as their website promises, “build the…
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From Tree to Table: Luke Frisch and Hazel Burr Design
Woodworking is Luke Frisch’s livelihood. At Hazel Burr Design, he supports his family by creating high-end wooden tables, countertops, charcuterie boards, and much more. “It’s not just important. It’s vital,” explains Frisch. “This is how we feed the kids. It’s how we pay the bills.” This Baileigh Biography video offers a fun peek into Frisch’s…
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Wheel Guy: Austin Paruch and Paruch Automotive Craftsmanship
“I never have any days where I’m worried about getting up or not going to work and enjoying what I do,” says fabricator, restorer, and coachbuilder Austin Paruch. “Life and work are one and the same. This is what I do. This is what I was intended to do, I believe.” At Paruch Automotive Craftsmanship,…
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