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Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School
Metal Fabrication Student News
July, 2013 - New England’s Father and Son Team Brings New Life to an Old Tractor
Jake Comeau’s drive, passion, and desire to design, build, and weld things with his own hands is quite clear when you first meet this young man. He is already skillful, and will be a very fine craftsman. I first met Jake as freshmen when he was exploring our shop here at Assabet Valley’s metal fabrication program two years ago. Then, Jake was only 14 years of age, and progressing extremely well through all of his welding & fabricating projects. Jake was on fire, so to speak; he was fully engaged with mind, body, and soul in everything he touched and welded.
It was such a pleasant sight to see Jake progress through all of his projects, as he moved with thoughtful and precise movements from layout tables, to welding machines, to sheet metal brakes, to hammer and torch. Jake’s ability to think, problem solve, and sketch his projects from start to finish demonstrate that he is a young welder with much potential. There have been countless days and weeks that Jake would bring in new sketches of projects that he had designed and wanted to build after school.

Then one day, while Jake was still just a freshman and new to our shop, he knocked on my office door and sat down with a set of plans to fabricate and weld a front-end bucket and counter weight for an old tractor that he and his dad, Bud Comeau, restored at their home shop. I first thought to myself, does this young lad have the skill–sets to take on a project of this magnitude? During several after-school conversations and after seeing Jake’s confidence and willingness to build his tractor, I was willing to help him in any way possible. We continued to pore over his sketches and develop a needed materials list and a plan of action. Jake then placed a steel order, and waited for his steel to arrive.
With his sketches in hand, and thinking cap on, Jake went to work building, fabricating, and welding his front–end loader one section at a time. I was impressed with Jake’s welding abilities; I ask Jake where he had learned to weld, because it was quite clear that this young man had welded before his arrival at vocational school. He said his dad had served in the U.S. Army many years ago, and was assigned to the motor pool division as a heavy equipment mechanic. As part of these duties, Bud Comeau welded from time to time as needed.

As Jake became older, he displayed interest in fixing and restoring old tractors, machines, and odd things with his grandfather and dad. Mr. Comeau bought Jake a welding machine and a set of welding torches and built a small shop for them to tinker in as a hobby. What a great story of a father/son team working and sharing their passions and interests together.
Jake went on to build and weld his front-end loader with the help of his dad. I asked Jake if he would like to bring in his tractor to school and share his welding project with his classmates and he agreed. Since Jake’s dad arrived at the school with a flatbed trailer which was salvaged from a Connecticut scrap yard, it was not surprising to learn that Jake and his dad had picked up an old 1950s Hobart welding machine, which they plan to restore and use as their welding machine in their small home shop. There is no limit to what this team tackles: hydraulic systems, electrical wiring systems, and of course welding and fabricating. They are a dynamic team enjoying what they do—spending time together, having fun together, and learning from each other one project at a time. My welding hat is off to this father and son team. Job well done!


Written by:

Neil Mansfield
Hobart graduate,
CWI/ CWE
US Navy Steel Worker Chief,
Structural Iron Worker,
Sheet metal Worker,
Blacksmith
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Gallery pages 1-3 & 5-9 Photography & Website by D.M. Photographics. Marlborough, MA © 2007-2013.
All other photos and text by Neil Mansfield, © 2006 - 2013. All may not be reproduced without permission.