Still Building America

Making handheld laser welding work in the real world with Rex Alexandre

Handheld laser welding is everywhere right now, but is it actually the future of fabrication? In this episode of Still Building America, hosts Darla and Josh Welton sit down with Rex Alexandre, founder of the Handheld Laser Institute and former SpaceX laser welding engineer, to separate the real-world potential of handheld lasers from the online hype. The conversation explores how laser welding delivers fast, low-distortion welds, why small laser welds can outperform larger arc welds, where the technology still has limitations, and what fabricators need to know about safety, training, and adoption as handheld laser systems rapidly spread across manufacturing. They also talk about the exposure of handheld last welding technolgy at FABTECH. Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org [podcast@fmamfg.org] with any comments, questions, or suggestions. Find more industry-related conversations at the FMA Podcast Network [https://www.thefabricator.com/podcast].

The teenage fabricator behind the viral metal butterfly swing

At 16, Asher Weatherford built a 600-pound kinetic butterfly swing that went viral and sold for $14,500. In this episode of Still Building America, the Henderson, Texas student breaks down how he designed and fabricated the steel-and-wood piece in his school shop over 130 hours, using hand-bent steel, a CNC plasma table, and a lot of trial and error. The project earned Grand Champion in its category at the Rusk County Youth Project Show and placed seventh overall. Asher talks about learning welding hands-on, figuring things out in real time, and pushing through the challenges of shaping complex steel forms. He also shares how theater and music influence his creativity, and what it means to build something real at a young age. Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org [podcast@fmamfg.org] with any comments, questions, or suggestions. Find more industry-related conversations at the FMA Podcast Network [https://www.thefabricator.com/podcast].

Creating career opportunities in welding with Caroline Del Giudice

Caroline Del Giudice, a metal fabricator and artist, joins Still Building America to talk about building a career in welding and creating opportunity in metal fabrication. As manager of the art and product realization program at Newlab [https://www.newlab.com/] in Detroit, she works inside a 30,000-square-foot fabrication shop supporting startups in robotics, mobility, and advanced manufacturing, blending hands-on welding with modern tools like CNC and robotics. Caroline shares her path into the trades, how she built experience across different fabrication environments, and how welding can open doors to both creative and entrepreneurial work. Follow Caroline on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/caorline/]. Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org [podcast@fmamfg.org] with any comments, questions, or suggestions. Find more industry-related conversations at the FMA Podcast Network [https://www.thefabricator.com/podcast].

Rebuilding lives in prison through welding with Jesse Oosterhouse

Jesse Oosterhouse is a welding instructor at the Muskegon Correctional Facility in Michigan, where he teaches incarcerated men skills that can lead to stable careers after release. In this episode, Jesse shares how his class of 30 incarcerated students designed and built Arc of Redemption, a welded sculpture entered into the Grand Rapids-based ArtPrize [https://www.artprize.org/]. The project highlights how welding education, American Welding Society certifications, and creative work can open doors to opportunity and second chances. Find more industry-related conversations at the FMA Podcast Network [https://www.thefabricator.com/podcast]. Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org [podcast@fmamfg.org] with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

Welding since age 2: One-of-a-kind journey in welding education

Becca Robertson, a welding instructor at St. Clair TEC in Michigan, shares her journey into teaching. She started welding at age 2 from her father, a welder himself, and has now passed on that passion to her own daughter who also began welding at age 2. Becca's program at St. Clair TEC [https://www.sctec.org/] is known for producing talented high school welders, with her students excelling in state and national welding competitions like SkillsUSA [https://www.skillsusa.org/competition/welding-fabrication/]. She talks with Darla and Josh Welton about her belief in letting students explore welding at their own pace and discover their natural strengths, rather than sticking to a rigid curriculum. Becca also talk about how she finds great fulfillment in watching her students develop a love for welding and exceed her own expectations. Find more industry-related conversations at the FMA Podcast Network [https://www.thefabricator.com/podcast]. Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org [podcast@fmamfg.org] with any comments, questions, or suggestions.