The Maker’s Soul: Technology Meets the Bench

5 Degrees. 50 Years. And a Terminal Case of Curiosity.

By day, I’m a professional dedicated to helping Individuals with disabilities gain independence. By night, I’m at the bench of my “tiny Shop” here in Pocatello, ID., refining the “High-End Weirdness” that makes every SchismaT1k piece 100% unique. If you’re going to use, carry, interact with something every day, it should be part your story.

My name is Jason Ritterbush, and I started SchismaT1k in Pocatello, Idaho, because I simply couldn’t stop asking, “How does that work?” I find excitement in taking something and modifying it to an elevated aesthetic, status, or functionality. Assessing limited funds and resources to figure out a fix for a broken item I cant afford to replace or pay someone else to repair, or simply fabricate something to fill a need or spark a feeling for something that cant be purchased.

After five decades of life and five degrees in Auto and Diesel Technology, Sociology, and 2 master’s degrees in Organizational Communication and Communication Theory,—I’ve learned that the best creations happen where different worlds collide.

I don’t rely on outdated dogmas. I am a relentless student of modern manufacturing, constantly pushing what’s possible at the bench. At SchismaT1k, we don’t do things “the old way” just for the sake of it; we do them the right way by fusing the best of today’s technology with the grit of traditional bench work.

The Prosess:

• The Digital Mind: We leverage generative AI and algorithmic modeling to calculate complex geometries that would be impossible with traditional drafting alone.
• The Laser’s Edge and 3rd Dimension of Printing: We utilize Various Software, Laser Technology , 3D Printing, Cutting Machines, and a variety of other available tools to assist, automate, and streamline certain steps for sake of time, accuracy, and quality.
• The Maker’s Soul: Before and after the tech does its part, it all starts and finishes at my bench. I plan every process, design every piece, and hand finish every detail right here in Pocatello, ensuring that the final soul of the product is human.
• my goal and intention here is to make and sell cool stuff, I’m not here to try and beat quotas or mass produce anything. In fact, I could’nt, even if I wanted. I named it the tiny shop for a reason, it acually is tiny. A 10×10 shed that Ive modified and most of my kitchen is the operational footprint of schismat1k. I do employ 2 felines just so I can say we when i’m referencing the business and for emotional support.

Meet the staff:

Tabitha: Manager of Cuddles, Boops, and Emotional Support