In this episode, host Beau Wigington takes listeners to the Yeti Welding Competition in Spanish Fork, Utah, where he speaks with competitors, judges, spectators, and the man behind Yeti Welding, Dillon Hales. Competitors share their biggest challenges, surprises, and strategies for success, providing invaluable insight into what it takes to thrive in a welding competition.

Key Topics Covered:

• Common pitfalls competitors faced, including 3G vertical welding, time constraints, and reading welding symbols

• Advice from experienced welding instructors on competition preparation

• The importance of cleanliness, consistency, and weld tie-ins during judging

• Dylan Hale’s journey of building Yeti Welding from a farm workshop to a successful fabrication business

• Networking and community-building within the welding industry

Memorable Quotes:

• "Fail early, fail often, and pay attention. Because in the real world, there's going to be a next time." – Jared Massic, High School Welding Instructor

• "I just want [my students] to know they can do hard things. Putting myself in this nervous situation, doing something difficult, I know I can do hard things too." – Jared Massic

• "Most welders know how to weld, but they don't know how to run a business." – Dillon Hales, Owner of Yeti Welding

Resources Mentioned:

Save 20% On Related American Welding Program Courses With WELD20

• Welding Symbols Course – Gain confidence reading welding symbols https://foxly.link/t8aJ0M 

Guest's Instagram & Contact:

• Dillion Hales: @yeti_welding https://www.instagram.com/yeti_welding/ 

• Rodrigo Rodarte: @RRfab https://www.instagram.com/rr_fab/ , @overkillracingandchassis https://www.instagram.com/overkillracingandchassis/

• Jared Massic: @mass.welds https://www.instagram.com/mass.welds/ , @mmhs_welding https://www.instagram.com/mmhs_welding/

• Kamryn Price (Athena Welding): @athenaweldingcco https://www.instagram.com/athenaweldingco/ 

• Michael Swanson: @dark.arcllc https://www.instagram.com/dark.arcllc/ 

• Jacob Tobler: @barracuda.fabrication https://www.instagram.com/barracuda.fabrication/ 

• Tyson Nelson: @fineironllc https://www.instagram.com/fineironllc/ 

• Michael Miller: https://www.amfab-steel.com/ 

• Benjamin Cornaby: @benjamincornaby https://www.instagram.com/benjamincornaby/ 

Connect with Beau Wigington

• Instagram: @beaudiditwelding https://www.instagram.com/beaudiditwelding/ 

• Email: beauw@weld.com

• WELD App: @beaudidit

Download the WELD App:

• https://foxly.link/Qj0VEa