Team Shop Rat

Chris Salow was born Shop Rat Tough. Growing up on a farm Chris and his brothers worked with their father on many different types of equipment. When he was 10 years old he built his first mini bike, but they couldn't afford the motor so he pulled it around behind a tractor. When he was 12 years old he built his first go-cart including the steering and braking system which consequently led to his first experience at 180 degree spins. When he was 15 years old he took an old Farmall F-20, pulled out the 28 hp motor and replaced it with a Pontiac 389 that with a few of Chris's minor adjustments produce roughly 400 hp. Chris said he beat any local hot rodders at speeds up to 40 mph.

Nine years later he started his first business, Metalform. Things were tough for the first ten years. Unable to afford a refrigerator he kept his food outside during the winter to keep it cold, and without enough money to buy a furnace he was forced to burn wood in an old boiler. Shop Rats are tough however, and Chris was determined to see it through. So with Gods help and a lot of sweat equity, 15 years later Chris and his team of Shop Rats built the business up to 45 employees producing a million parts a week.

Seeking a new challenge Chris sold the business and Salow Machine Works was officially born. Salow Machine focuses on building custom machines and one-of-a-kind equipment. His desire to be original prompted Chris to start Shop Rat Associates and the Shop Rat Foundation, a non-profit organization that promotes skilled trades and provides educational opportunities for future generations of highly trained Shop Rats. Chris has been a Shop Rat all his life, and his heart lies in giving back to all the Shop Rats that have helped him succeed, and to make sure they get the honor and respect they deserve for their efforts in building this great country.

Our Teachers

Click on a name or photo below to read the full bio on any of the Shop Rat teachers!

Angela Klobuchar Angela grew up in Chelsea, MI. She and her husband, Scott, and their daughter, Makendra, live in East Jackson. They also have a son, AJ, who lives in Marquette, where he is currently attending Northern Michigan University....	Craig Shaw (Bubba) During the planning stages of the Shop Rat education program Bubba, who has extensive knowledge of motorcycles, was initially going to be an advisor and instruct the staff of certified teachers on how to build bikes. It turns out however, he is an excellent teacher allowing him to teach the class with input from the rest of the staff....
Joe Walsh Joe was born in Jackson, MI and lived for a few years in Jerome, MI. His parents then moved to Michigan Center, MI where he spent the rest of his childhood. He attended Lumen Christi High School and graduated in 1997. From high school he went directly to Jackson Community College where obtained his Associates of Science geared for engineering....	Travis Barnett Travis was born and raised in Concord, MI and graduated from Concord High School. He went on to pursue his passion for music at Spring Arbor University. There he studied voice for 8 years and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in General Music Education...