dchapek

Recruitment is tough for volunteer fire departments, especially in rural Nebraska. We’re aging out faster than we’re adding new faces...and yes, we might have a little fun with it. But seriously, your community needs you. Ask your local department how you can step up!

Sometimes the best parts aren’t the ones with the biggest name. Shoutout to the friends who’ve already made the mistakes, tested the parts, and point you toward better options you didn’t even know existed. That kind of knowledge is priceless. Build smarter. Build together. #CarCommunity #CarCulture #CarTok #racecar #builtnotbought

A million ways to build a car. That’s the whole point. You don’t have to love it. Just respect it. #CarCommunity #CarCulture #CarTok #racecar #builtnotbought

Do I build? A bit... Do I build well? That wasn't the question... :) #build #projectcar #makersgonnamake #fyp

Welding in the front control arm brackets on the Solo.1 🔥🏁 These weld-on tabs locate the control arms, which means they directly affect suspension geometry, alignment, camber, and overall handling. No pressure, right? Getting them positioned correctly is everything. Measure, check, tack, re-check… then commit. Once they’re fully welded, there’s no easy undo button. This is where fabrication meets precision. If you’re into racecar builds, suspension setup, chassis fabrication, TIG/MIG welding, or grassroots motorsports projects, you’ll appreciate this part of the process. #racecar #ControlArms #Fabrication #builtnotbought #Welding

Building custom control arms for my Solo.1 from scratch. In this video I’m using a jig… or fixture… to accurately lay out and weld suspension parts. Precision matters when you’re fabricating control arms, especially for motorsports. If your pickup points are even slightly off, your alignment, camber, and toe can all go sideways fast. This setup keeps everything square, locked in, and repeatable so the arms come off the table straight and ready for the track. If you’re into racecar fabrication, chassis setup, welding, suspension geometry, or DIY motorsports builds, this one’s for you. #Racecar #Fabrication #Welding #builtnotbought #design

Getting it done... Bringing home another #1 spot! Couldn't be more proud! #girlswrestletoo #wrestlingtiktok #prouddad #bleacheryears

Designing front control arms takes some thinking...and some math. A whole lot of math...but CAD sure does make it easier! #fabrication #build #design #racecar #math

Leadership in the volunteer fire service isn’t just about rank or decisions. It’s about tone, body language, and how you respond in the small moments. One reaction can shut down a meeting. One comment can cost you engagement, trust, and retention. This is the butterfly effect of leadership in volunteer fire departments. #Fire #volunteerfirefighter#LeadershipDevelopment

Routine Relaxation...Wednesday Night build night is about to get started! #projectcar #makersgonnamake #mensmentalhealth #build

Moving the project forward by making it go backward. Simplistic and elegant design by understanding your requirements, lever geometry, and physics to get the smallest amount of time required for the linear actuator to shift the rear differential into reverse! #MakersGonnaMake #Fabrication #racecar #reverse #3dprinting

Real question for the hobby crowd 👇 What tool would you add next if this was just for fun? No business. No payoff. Just building, tinkering, and upgrading the shop because it’s enjoyable. Drop your opinion — power tools, lasers, hand tools, weird niche stuff… all of it. #Hobby #tools #MakersOfTikTok#Garage #Workshop

Didn’t plan it. Didn’t push it. Just a kid with an idea. Proud doesn’t even cover it. #proud #kids #entrepreneur

Gomer sure can boil! #crabboil #seafood #NYE

Officers aren’t born...they’re built. The fire service talks a lot about staffing shortages. We don’t talk enough about the leadership gap. And without training, support, and accountability, everyone feels it. If you could change one thing about leadership in your department, what would it be? #FireDepartment #VolunteerFirefighter #Firefighters #FirstResponders #leadership