We wrap this week up with some light crafting, putting together a beautiful laser-cut vintage billboard scale model kit from Studio for Metropolitan Craft, and then adding to it with our own laser-cut typography (SVG here). It’s a exercise in designing type to be used as vectors for laser or vinyl cutting, and the result looks pretty good!
Adam Savage’s One Day Builds: Mini Machine Vise!
Adam recently learned the joys of machining scrap cast iron, and embarked on the challenging of repurposing a chunk found in the cave into a mini machine vise! It’s a weekend build that he documented through timelapse and silent footage, so Adam reflects on that relaxing and satisfying work in narrated commentary. This mini machine vise ends up being an essential component of a more ambitious project that you’ll see soon in a future One Day Build!
3D-Printed VR Blaster Grip and Adventure Lab Escape Room!
We review two VR games that attempt to bring location-based experiences into the home. First is Adventure Lab, a unique cooperative multiplayer game that’s part escape room and part immersive theater, played with a live performer hosting every session. We also test Tower Tag, a VR arcade game with a free 3D print file to turn the Oculus Touch controllers into the exact sci-fi blaster you see in headset!
Show and Tell: Weathering a Transformers Blitzwing Figure!
We spotlight the wonderfully detailed figures from toymaker ThreeZero, including their licensed lineup of Transformers posable die-cast characters. Check out the meticulous engineering and paint finish of these collectibles, and Norm shows how he applies oil paint to add an extra layer of weathering and grime to the Blitzwing DLX figure. Don’t be afraid of painting your toys!
Episode 555 – Power Glove – 6/11/20
On the eve of the Sony PS5 showcase, we talk about our expectation for the next gen console, rising rumors of Apple’s move to ARM for Mac, and our adventures in a VR escape room. Plus, a celebration of esoteric game controllers like the Power Glove, and an interview with The Atlantic’s Alexis Madrigal in our Living with Covid segment!
Adam Savage’s One Day Builds: Rhombic Dodecahedron with Matt Parker!
In this special One Day Build filmed earlier this year, mathematician Matt Parker (StandUpMaths) visits the cave to build a rhombic dodecahedron with Adam! Be prepared for lots of fun geometry discussion as Adam and Matt try to make abstract math concepts tangible with a physical build. They also take this construction a few steps further by lining the inside of the polyhedron with mirrors and LED strips for an infinty mirrored effect!
Worn Down from Lockdown – Still Untitled: The Adam Savage Project – 6/9/20
We talk about the response to last week’s episode and reflect on the events of the past week. Adam talks about participating in a San Francisco protest, feeling the effects of the lockdown three months in, and what he’s making in the shop to cope. Plus, we talk about some recent media distractions, including two Mamet films, the Bruce Lee documentary, and movie sound design. Find out about the workbench Andrew Klein is making for Adam here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBtl4Z2Fk7O3gVe1OQ4rQEluKcmb1gxNN
Adam Savage’s Favorite Tools: Awesome Circle Drawing Tools!
Adam guides us through his collection of circle drawing tools, from a reliable machinist protractor to golden mean calipers for satisfying drafting and design. Adam also gushes over the design of Maker Cabinet’s Iris compass, made of beautifully machined brass. With all of these drafting tools, he’s also using one of his favorite pencils: the venerated Blackwing 602!
Adam Savage’s Airplane Cockpit Prop for MythBusters!
Adam shares one of the many props he loved building for MythBusters–a speed build of an airplane cockpit that exemplifies the joy of a quick and dirty build. It comes from the episode where Adam and Jamie tested the different plane boarding strategies to find the most efficient boarding process, which you can watch here. Special appearance from Adam’s dog Maggie!
Adam Savage’s One Day Builds: Fiber Optic Microscope Ring Light!
Adam recently received a set of screws that are so small he can’t see them with the naked eye. So to examine them, he takes out his high-powered inspection microscope and spends the day disassembling and upgrading it with a fiber optic ring light!