Who’s Luke?

Hey, I’m Luke — Welding has been a huge part of my story long before Luke’s Fab Lab ever came to life.

I grew up working on my family’s chicken farm helping out since I could walk. My first taste of welding came when I was about 14, helping out a local guy with a small shop. At first, it was just grinding and cutting parts all day, but the day he asked if I wanted to learn how to Mig weld, I was hooked. That first spark lit something in me that I never knew existed. In a couple years that job came to an end, but my passion for the trade didn’t.

Back on the farm, I found myself welding again—this time with Stick and TIG. Honestly, I was terrible when I started. I couldn’t figure it out, got frustrated a lot, and thought maybe it just wasn’t for me. But little by little, through YouTube videos, trial and error, and a ton of weekends burning plates with beads, I started seeing progress. Those tiny wins kept me going, and before I knew it, welding wasn’t just a side skill for fabricating farm projects and fixing broken equipment—it became my passion. Eventually, I made the tough call to step away from the family business to chase welding full-time, and I’ve never looked back.

Working in a full-time welding shop humbled me fast. I thought I knew more than I did, but being around experienced welders opened my eyes. I learned the value of keeping a student mindset, soaking up tips from others, and never acting like a know-it-all. With the help of YouTube, co-workers, and endless practice, I worked my way into pipe welding and eventually got my 6G certifications—all without spending a dime on welding school. Instead, I built my career through hands-on experience, YouTube, and the generosity of people willing to share their knowledge.

Over time, something shifted. Instead of being the guy asking all the questions, I started being the one helping new welders coming in—sharing tricks, giving pointers, and helping them level up. That’s when I realized something important: as much as I love laying down slick beads and building projects, I love helping people even more.

That’s why I started Luke’s Fab Lab. My goal is simple—to take everything I’ve learned over the years, the struggles, the mistakes, and the wins, and pass it on to the next generation of welders. I want to make welding more approachable, practical, and fun for anyone who’s just starting out or looking to grow their skills. I’m all about helping someone skip the frustrations I went through, provide shortcuts and tips, and ultimately find their passion in this trade.