It’s Christmas in January, as Adam opens his gift from his Secret Santa, reddit user Leigero. It’s a super interactive, cool and thoughtful present too, as you’ll see, which is why this unboxing video is 11 minutes long. Thank you, Leigero!
Episode 536 – Ten Years of Slate Life – 1/30/20
An extra-long moment of science to kick the episode off this week as we discuss the facts of the Coronavirus outbreak and what concerned folks should know right now. We also look back at the iPad’s announcement ten years ago, and speculate on a Fast saga-Bad Boys crossover. Plus, love for The Walking Dead in the VR Minute!
Adam Savage Geeks Out Over EVA Foam Chain Mail!
Adam welcomes friend of Tested Ben Eadie to the cave to geek out over chain mail and Ben’s solution to making mail out of EVA craft foam! Ben demonstrates how he knits together incredibly lightweight swathes of foam mail from laser-cut strips, which can then be used for cosplay!
Adam Goes to Camp – Still Untitled: The Adam Savage Project – 1/28/20
Adam and Will return from a weekend away at ORD Camp, an annual gathering of curious folks from different walks of life to share ideas and learn uniquely interesting topics ranging from taxidermy, spacesuit design, and juggling. Let’s hear some of their highlights from this unconference!
Adam Savage’s Favorite Tools: Machinist Squares
Everyone has some kind of 90-degree angle square in their shop, but Adam advocates for a specific kind of square: the 4″ machinist’s square. They allow for fine and delicate layout on small parts, something a big honking 12″ square will have trouble with. Adam has them in multiple sizes going down to 3/4″ long (super tiny!) but if you had to have only one, get the 4″!
Adam Savage’s Very First Vacuuming Forming Project!
In this show and tell from the cave, Adam brings out an artifact that he has kept for its sentimental value, material usefulness, and magnificent design. This is a Bell Stratos cycling helmet that Adam coveted in the 1980s, and Adam explains why he loves it so much and how he even used it for his very first vacuum forming project!
Offworld: Star Trek: Picard
Star Trek: Picard is finally released! Ariel, Norm, and Kishore commemorate the show’s debut by opening a bottle of Chateau Picard and reviewing the pilot episode. We dive into light spoilers throughout the discussion, so watch the pilot before jumping in! What did you think of the episode and the direction the show is taking?
The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners VR Impressions
Released this week, this full-length survival horror game is one of the most engrossing VR experiences we’ve played. After playing several hours of the campaign, we share our favorite parts of the game’s combat, crafting, and survival systems and which elements make the best use of virtual reality.
Adam Savage Tests Boston Dynamics’ Spot Robot!
Adam welcomes a new member to the Tested family: Boston Dynamics’ Spot robot! All throughout this year, Adam will be conducting builds and projects with Spot, integrating it into the workshop and taking it on adventures in the field. The first thing to do is test Spot’s capabilities at an outdoor training course! Our Year with Spot commences!
Episode 535 – Make It So – 1/23/20
Two big stories dominate this week: the premiere of the highly-anticipated Star Trek: Picard show and Valve answers questions about Half-Life: Alyx in a Reddit AMA! Plus, streaming service confusion, Apple’s rumored “budget” iPhone, love for Pavlov VR, and a moment of science!