I became interested in welding, metal and iron working at a very young age. Over the years I have built or repaired many items for myself, as well as for others. Many of the projects I worked on would require a tool that I did not have, and that would be my calling. First to build or make the tool, then to continue with the project. Some have labeled me as a sort of inventor, always with an idea or project in mind, refining the idea, then building it.

In 1992, Mr. Chuck Everitt of Longmont, Colorado was blacksmithing for the Yuma Old Threshers Group at their annual show. I was very interested in what he was doing, and he offered to teach me what he could. Mr. Everitt presented me with an opportunity and the rest was up to me. I grabbed the opportunity with both hands and ran like the devil, and I am still running. Chuck has remained a very close friend and mentor over the years, and has never turned me away when I needed him. "Thanks Chuck!"

My wife has also been very important to me through out all of this. I always wanted a nice shop of my own, but it seemed to be just a dream. It was my wife that kept reminding me that if it was worth having, it was worth waiting for, and not to turn loose of my dreams. I now have a fine shop and she is still very busy. She is there when I need an extra hand, she is my doctor for minor injuries and burns, cleans up after me when I track coal dust and soot into the house. THANK YOU SANDRA !

My grandsons, Mark & Todd Fresquez, have always enjoy coming to grandpa's shop. In 2003 when Mark was 12 years old, he wanted to start blacksmithing and I gave him the same opportunity that Chuck gave me, and Mark has done as I did, grabbed the opportunity and ran with it. Proprietorship has been transfered to Mark and he is doing very well with his smithing and also travels to events with grandpa and pretty much taken over the blacksmithing demonstrations. Todd is doing well with blacksmithing and has assumed the role of shop foreman for his brother Mark. Thanks Mark and Todd!

The 2004 Old Thresher's Show earmarked 14 years for Chuck, and 11 years for Sam bringing the Old Threshers Blacksmith Shop to life for their annual 3 day show. 2004 was also Chuck and Sam's last year at Old Threshers. Mark & Todd now attends and blacksmiths at several events throughout Colorado and Nebraska and has been contacted about blacksmithing at events in Kansas and Wyoming also and was invited to attend and blacksmith at the LosAngles County Fair in LosAngeles, CA.

In 2007, the first ever Antique Tractor & Power show in the Brush CO area and it was such a success, it has been decided to make it an annual event. See "Antique Power Show" page.

In an attempt to do my of keeping the age old art of blacksmithing alive, the boys welcome spectators in their shop, and offer demonstrations to small groups, and at fairs, festivles, etc. Please feel free to stop by and see what is going on. Someone is always here (unless we're gone), and always blacksmithing unless we are doing something else.