Sahil Fabrication

Out here in Kudalwadi Chikhali, things are pretty industrial. We spend our days around metal and welding machines. It’s hot work, especially in the summer when the tin roof gets baked by the sun. There’s always the smell of burnt iron and the sound of grinders going. We do a lot of heavy lifting, moving pipes and sheets of steel around the shop. It’s not the cleanest job in the world. Our hands are usually covered in grease or dust by noon. We take on all sorts of fabrication work, mostly stuff for local buildings or small parts that people need. We don’t have a fancy office; we just have a small table where we look at drawings and figure out the measurements. Sometimes the welds don't go right the first time and we have to grind them down and start over. That’s just how it is with metal. We’ve been in this spot for a while and know most of the other guys working in the area. We share tools sometimes or help each other out with big loads. It’s a tough way to make a living, but there’s something about finishing a solid gate or a frame that feels right. We keep the machines running and hope the power stays on. If someone needs something made out of steel, they usually find their way to us. It is hard work but it is ours.