Adam drops some clamping knowledge in today’s One Day Build that’s all about improving the organization of his lathe’s collet collection. Adam explains how the various collet formfactors work on his mill and lathe, lays out all of the collets in his shop on the workbench, and builds a storage system to have them at arm’s reach when working at the lathe.
Shot by Adam Savage and edited by Joey Fameli
As we continue to work from home and look at ways to improve our home studios, Norm shares some lighting gear he’s been testing, including a flapjack-style LED light to use as a key video light and mini LED spotlights that help his figure collection look more like museum displays. Let’s take a look inside this GVM LED panel to see how it works and compares to a back lit panel light.
Desk Mounted LED Edge-Lit Video Light: https://amzn.to/3tahGvu
Dimmable Mini Spotlight (Pack of 6): https://amzn.to/2NE3XwM
Aputure LED Panel Video Light: https://amzn.to/2MDhzYx
Shot and edited by Norman Chan
This week, we try to wrap our heads around the craziness happening with Gamestop’s stock prices, and are joined by Will to review and discuss the Derek Delgaudio film In and Of Itself. Plus, a recap the latest WandaVision, brain-computer interface hype, and Kishore explains what’s going on with COVID mutations. Thanks to Will for guesting this week! You can listen to Tech Pod at https://techpod.content.town/
Adam makes the iconic Leviathan Axe from the God of War games as a Christmas gift for his nephew! Using straightforward reference of the in-game axe found online, Adam scratch builds this replica prop out of sintra PVC foamboard for the axehead and carves a real wood handle. Including the paint and wood stain finish, it’s a true One Day Build that takes just one day to complete from start to finish!
Shot by Adam Savage and edited by Gunther Kirsch Music by Jinglepunks
This week’s favorite tool is actually a pick not just for its utility–tapping fluid is paramount for machining–but chosen for its novel packaging. Adam shares one of his favorite pieces of product labeling in this vintage can of Moly Dee tapping oil. The copy on the sides and back of the can is so uniquely written, and Adam was delighted to pick this up to share with us. Another Winthrow Product of Distinction!
Adam pops open his custom-made carrying case for his collection of Nagra vintage audio recording equipment. It’s an assembly of rare audio gear that has a direct lineage to the swiss spy recorders used in the 1970s, including the iconic compact reel-to-reel Nagra recorder. Adam walks us through the collection and shows some of the recorder’s notable features that have made it a favorite among tech historians.
This weekend project has Adam taking apart his Powermatic drill press and lugging the entire machine to the center of the cave to switch out its table with a new one he bought online. But here’s the catch: the new table’s mount is just slightly narrower than the drill press’s column can accommodate, so Adam needs to precisely mill out just enough steel to get it to fit. And not all goes according to plan…
Adam’s previous Drill Press modification build: https://youtu.be/m-ayU2GCQ_Q
Shot by Adam Savage and edited by Norman Chan
Music by Jinglepunks
Adam is back to finish his replica wrist connectors for his new Mercury spacesuit costume! After the arduous process of machining the glove rings in the first part, Adam gets to the fun of weathering the aluminum to look like real vintage NASA hardware. And for that, he brings out a new piece of equipment that he hasn’t used for a build before–a rock tumbler for real wear and tear!
Part 1 of this build: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fM9FtG01wMg
Shot by Adam Savage and edited by Gunther Kirsch
Music by Jinglepunks
We break down the confounding rumors about Apple’s VR headset plans on this week’s show, review the first two episodes of WandaVision, and share what we’d want out of a Willy Wonda prequel. Plus, the surprising things we learned from iFixit’s AirPods Max teardown, and the return of a Moment of Science! SF Covid Vaccine notification site: https://sf.gov/covid-19-vaccine-san-francisco
Adam’s latest machining project is a return to his Mercury spacesuit replica, his very first spacesuit replica project that keeps on getting improvements. Adam just upgraded the gloves on this suit with an amazing custom sewn pair, and turns to machining the distinct wrist coupler rings that connect them to the main suit. It’s a painstaking process of turning a large round aluminum bar into hardware that looks right out of NASA’s spacesuit shop. LikeLinda’s Mercury glove replicas: https://www.etsy.com/listing/816654982/mercury-gloves-replica
Shot by Adam Savage and edited by Gunther Kirsch
