Michael Thompson

Michael Thompson is a metal fabricator who has spent the last 12 years documenting the journey of setting up practical metalworking workshops on a realistic budget. A former industrial maintenance technician, he built his first garage shop in 2013 for under $2,000 and has since helped hundreds of beginners through detailed write-ups on welding, fabrication techniques, project advice, material selection, tool prioritization, layout planning, and common early pitfalls.

His approach combines meticulous record-keeping of costs, supplier choices, and measurable outcomes with reference to OSHA workshop safety guidelines and equipment standards from the American Welding Society. Michael’s articles focus on the real decisions, compromises, and adjustments that occur when turning an empty garage into a functional fabrication space. Readers value his transparent tracking of what actually worked versus what needed to be replaced or redesigned over multiple years of shop evolution. He continues to maintain and upgrade his current workshop while sharing unfiltered lessons for those just starting out.