Meet the Makers : The story behind Black Fox Metalcraft (David)

An interview with David, TIG welder, fabricator and general engineering type at Black Fox Metalcraft:

1. What's your favourite sort of job to do at Black Fox Metalcraft?
I think my favourite part of the job is when someone asks us to do something different that we’ve never done before, I enjoy working it all out, tackling a bespoke project from scratch and creating something we are proud of. My least favourite would definitely be doing the accounts spreadsheet as I find it utterly tedious!

2. Describe a typical day?
We’re lucky in that most days are different depending on what's been ordered. On a nursery day, I quite often drop the girls off at 8.30, then walk our Border collie Bryn at Wilton park in Hawick on my way back. Our days do change a bit through the year; once lambing season is finished, we can walk Bryn through the open countryside around our house as well. Once I'm home, Jen and I respond to any emails together over a brew and brownie, then I head to the workshop for the rest of the day. I’m back around 5.30 back for dinner – we always try to eat as a family. We take it in turn to do bedtime, and If there’s loads of welding to do, I’ll head back to the workshop after dinner, but fortunately this isn’t too often.

3. What's the most challenging part of your job?
Designing and creating bespoke fixings to match a customers exact spec can be a big challenge – there is always a way, but quite often it involves a lot of maths. I like a challenge and it’s satisfying when it’s done, but this is definitely a part that can be difficult and often takes longer than planned. Generally completing tasks using mathematics that school children all over the country are complaining 'when will we ever need this?!'

4. What are you most looking forward to in the future?
Building and eventually being in our new home! We have a small plot of land and permission to build a straw bale house on the edge of the river Slitrig just outside of Hawick, it’s a beautiful spot in a patch of woodland. I’m also looking forward to being able to travel abroad with our daughters when they’re a bit older -  we’re not really sitting in a holiday resort sort of people, more adventures off the beaten track travellers. I’d love to go travelling abroad with the girls, but right now it would be a case of parenting without any of the conveniences of being at home!

5. If you had a day off to do anything you like, what would you do?
If I had the luxury of a babysitter, I’d ride my motorbike to a nice country pub where there'd be a good band playing for the evening. If there were no willing grandparents or aunties & uncles available, we’d take the twins to the pump track in the morning; they’re only 4 but very confident on pedal bikes already – it's a great way to run some energy off them! Then we’d head to a nice café for lunch, then probably spend the afternoon playing by/in the river. We're extremely lucky to live in a beautiful valley so we love to make the most of it when the weather allows.

6. How do you find juggling family life and running the business? 
We’re very fortunate in that we can be flexible, we can take time off last minute if either one of the twins is off ill, or even if it’s a beautiful day and we just fancy making the most of it. BUT, there are only so many hours in the day so not a lot of down time once the kids are in bed and the work is done. I've just turned 40 and the twins are about to start school, so we should have a little more time from mid August.

7. You mentioned turning 40 this year… what did you do to celebrate?
Jen booked a surprise couple of days in Dunkeld, up near Perth. My parents looked after the twins and dog, while we went quad biking, found a nice pub by the river and explored Perth the following day - we'd never been over that way before; it was great to explore somewhere new.

 

8. If you won the lottery, would you carry on running the business?

Yes, but with a more laid back approach to it – maybe 6 months of running Black Fox then 6 months off in a year so we can travel and do other projects.

If you have any questions about any of Black Fox Metalcraft's work, feel free to call on 01450 880380 or contact us through the website - we're happy to answer any questions about our making process.