#WhyWeWeld: Dom Host Sanchez

Dom Host Sanchez, also known as @Altered Intent on Instagram and YouTube, is a CG artist and car modifier from New Mexico. He specializes in custom automotive builds and automotive rendering. We interviewed him to discuss his experience with welding.

An Introduction to Dom Host Sanchez

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and what you do?

My name is Dom Host Sanchez, also known as Altered Intent on Instagram and YouTube. I specialize in chassis fabrication, sheet metal fabrication, and roll cage-style work. I’ve been doing this kind of work for about eight years now.

I used to do it as a job for others, but it just got too much—especially for just me, because it’s me and only me. A lot of people think I have a whole team, but no, it’s just me doing everything. I have to cut, notch, and weld everything myself. Now it’s just for my own personal hobby, basically.

From 3D Modeling to Metal Fabrication

How did you get into metal fab work?

I was dabbling in CGI and trying to learn that alongside CAD. I was heavily inspired by Kaiser, and all those guys were the main group of render artists back in the day.

I started learning how to do that, and then I started learning the fab stuff later. I liked that I could actually visualize everything in CGI. I knew automotive, and I knew how things could actually work and be formed, so I applied that to what I was learning in CG.

Even my Bel Air, I rendered that before I even built it. I rendered a couple of other real-world cars for SEMA a few years ago. I also helped @cam.cocalis design his 1986, and he made that from my render. I’ve helped many builds come to life with my renders.

Body Swapping a 1958 Bel Air onto a 2008 BMW

Your most recent project began with your rendering work. Can you tell us how the Bel Air and BMW body swap came together?

The main chassis itself is a 2008 BMW 535xi Touring. It was a station wagon my friend had, as I have some friends who work for SEMA. So I’ll sometimes help them out here and there, and sometimes they’ll trade off some work or throw my name around if it’s something I would be interested in.

At the time, one of my friends was building a Lexus GS 300 station wagon, and the roof lines of that BMW fit with the GS rear end. He asked me to help cut the roof off the BMW, and I said I’d do it. He was in Minnesota, and I’m in New Mexico, so I flew out there. It took two or three hours, and we cut the entire roof off. I asked, “Well, what are you doing with the rest of the car?” He told me to take it—it runs and drives perfectly, with only 90,000 miles on it. It’s also twin-turbo from the factory. Pretty cool. I knew I was going to start a project with the chassis; I just didn’t know what.

Then, a week later, I helped another friend who had a 1958 Bel Air station wagon in good condition. He asked if I wanted the body for anything, and I said yes—I could put it on that BMW!

Within a span of a week, I had two cars. I cut everything up, and about a week later, I put the Bel Air body on top of the BMW. Then, of course, I had to take it a little further and body-drop it about six inches. Now it sits really low to the ground—lowrider culture.

Learn by Doing: Welding Projects and Challenges

What’s the biggest welding project you’ve ever had?

My biggest welding project has definitely been my first car, which was my 1927 Model T. That’s where I learned how to do everything. I wasn’t able to go to school for this stuff. I just bought my own machine, then some basic tools, and learned how to build a frame from scratch. I did that four times for that car. Every time I rebuilt it, I was trying to redo everything I did—but better—as I was learning. I was trying to make the welds look better and figure out different ways to do things.

That was the biggest learning experience because it was my first time welding. When you first start, if the weld’s bad, it cracks, it breaks, and then you learn about cleaning everything and making it all nice. I would say that’s honestly the biggest one for me.

How did you learn welding and develop your skills?

I learned a little bit from YouTube, and I learned how to set up a machine and everything like that, but I’m more hands-on. I learned by trial and error. I literally bought a welder a while back, and it took me a while, but I learned how to form a puddle, how to maintain heat, travel speed—all that stuff. I basically taught myself how to weld.

What’s the biggest challenge in your welding projects?

My workspace. I do everything you see on my YouTube channel and my Instagram in the backyard of my home. I don’t have any sort of shelter above my workspace. It’s open to the sun, the dirt—it’s literally just out in the elements. That is definitely the biggest hurdle. I have to deal with wind, rain, and dust. I live out in the desert, so keeping parts clean is a big thing.

Advice for Aspiring Vehicle Modders

What advice would you give to someone starting out in vehicle modification?

Honestly, I think the biggest advice would be to learn fabrication beforehand, because that’s a big hurdle. What you’re trying to do is learn how to make something from scratch, right? That’s what I revolve around. You need a basic understanding of fabrication and some knowledge of welding.

I would say: go for it, learn it, and just do it—learn from your mistakes. The main thing I would recommend to someone just getting into it is to definitely practice before you make major modifications to vehicles or start your actual project. Otherwise, you could hurt yourself or run into other issues—there’s a lot that goes into it.

The Future of Welding

How do you see the future of welding evolving?

From what I’ve seen, I feel like lasers are going to make a big impact. Recently, I’ve seen a lot of demos with laser welding. I think that might be the direction, and honestly, it could come to the general public despite the high cost. It’s pretty wild to think about.

Final Thoughts

Dom encourages everyone to give welding a try. Even if it doesn’t directly apply to automotive projects, learning how to weld helps you understand materials and gives you the skills to fix things yourself. “That’s really all I hope people take away from it: just go out there and learn it,” he says.

He also adds a note of gratitude to the team at YesWelder and everyone he’s collaborated with along the way.