All MetalShaping - councilman introduction

Not much about talking about myself or braggin about how much I know but I started in metalwork by hand forging and hardsurfacing drilling bits for my dad in 1957 when I was 14. Learned how to weld when I was 15 and roughnecked on a rig in Wyoming through highschool, my favorite subject was metal shop. Joined the Submarine Service out of highschool and traded canned hams to a journeyman shipfitter for pressure hull and underwater welding lessons. After Viet Nam I worked my way through college by working as steam fitter and boiler tech for a power company, again using their machinery at nights and weekends to fabricate a drilling rig which I started my own drilling company with. I currently design and fabricate a majority of my shop tools which are used in my small rod shop. Metal shaping, frame fabrication,body restoration, hammer welding and lead work are my specialities.

I have never had any formal metal shaping instruction other than the privledge of working with some of the most talanted craftmen in the hot rod industry. Hopefully I could contribute some of my experience and ideas along with learning some new techniques myself.

Jim Councilman