Ask Adam Anything #1: Workshops and Work Spaces

40 thoughts on “Ask Adam Anything #1: Workshops and Work Spaces”

1. Hi I’m Kevin and I have a question for Adam

   Here on Tested and even really on Mythbusters we only get to see you make things for yourself. On Tested your projects are usually things for your collection or use and on Mythbusters you designed and made things for your own work. On the podcast though you have told stories about your career before Mythbusters making things for other people, using their ideas and building to their requirements.

   So my question then is, which do you find more satisfying and fulfilling? Making purely for yourself or working to create for others.

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2. Nice one!
   Thanks Adam

   (I brag about having access content like this to people I know who visit Tested, but have not unpocketed for Premium Membership… )

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3. This is a great idea for a weekly video. Wonderfull answer as well. Thanks Adam & Tested!

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4. This is really great content, what a nice way to interact with the community!

   Not sure if this is an interesting question for the series, but I’m asking it anyway. I’ve seen this in many videos and I’ve always wondered what it was. Is that a broken mirror on the wall (right corner in the video)? It reminds me of a mirror from Van Eyck’s Arnolfini Portrait. Whats the story behind it?

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5. Hi, Adam! My husband and I are building the D’Agostini Millenium Falcon build and have been holding off on any painting as we go (other than some washes on floors and weathering of interior cushions/seats, etc.) because we’re secretly hoping you’ll do that build (or your own Millenium Falcon build which you’ve hinted at in the past on Still Untitled). Because who better to glean techniques and ideas from then someone who worked at ILM?! 🙂 Anyway, we were curious if that’s a build you’re going to do (either that one or your own).

   Thanks!!

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6. That was great. We are a software development shop and we have similar conversations all the time.

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7. Hi Adam,

   this was very interesting – I have used and added to shared university workshops, and also built up my own shop. I have a question that is maybe related:

   Do you spend time to make new tools, optimize/tweak existing tools or workflow? Anything in particular that was useful (would be interested if your lathe has a few tricks added beyond what you already talked about…)? Now that you have more time, is there some tool or workflow you still want to improve, or a new tool you want invent? How would you balance time between making things on tools you have available that are maybe not ideal, vs. making better tools to improve the future workflow (assuming you can’t just buy them)?

   I often find myself making new tools to expand the capabilities of my shop and general “making workflow” (hardware tools as well as software tools). Often this becomes a major thing in itself recursively (rabbit hole…). As an example, I decided I wanted to have a CNC mill to make model airplanes, so I bought a small manual metal mill and converted it to CNC, used that mill to make a bigger CNC router/mill table, then went deep into writing software to create 3D toolpaths as I couldn’t afford commercial CAM software, etc., etc.). Although I eventually returned to making things again using all these new tools, the tool making became an activity in itself, and it was actually fun (in this case more money would have solved a few issues, but sometimes I came up with solutions that work for me very efficiently which are not commercially available). Would love to hear your take on “personalisation” of tools.

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8. Hello, my name is Savvas from London UK and I have a question for Adam:

   Have you ever been interested in software engineering, or is the making of intangible things not enough to scratch your maker itch?

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9. The mirror used to be not-broken, then at some point it received that hole. I don’t think the cause has been revealed :p

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10. Adam,

    In terms of memorabilia and replicas I find that value, or at least perceived value, is derived from how well things are displayed. I love your display space, but how comfortable are you with your collections and how they are stored? Do you own something precious that you feel doesn’t get enough appreciation?

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11. Hi Adam

    Just a quickie, and I *have* asked before, but the question still burns – please tell the story of the sad, abandoned and no doubt dusty half-complete Millennium Falcon that peeks out of a box high atop one of the shelves in your shop. I would love the hear where it has come from and where it is going!

    Thanks 🙂

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12. Hey Adam,

    I am an engineering student over in North Texas and one of the major difficulties I have been facing over the last year is with time management. I work 40 hours a week from 4am to 1pm and then take at least 12 hours of class a semester, I recently got engaged, I am trying to find time to build my Anavos stormtrooper kit, all while trying to get my 64 Ford Ranchero back to being an everyday driver. Needless to say I have a lot on my plate and it is a little overwhelming. From listening to older podcast Will and Norm would talk about your ability to manage your very busy schedule with great efficiency. How do you keep yourself from going batty while fitting all of your work and play into your schedule?

    Thanks for reading 🙂

    Will T

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13. In the Blade Runner edition of Still Untitled. You spoke of something in your office that could not be shown to the camera. Any chance that has changed, been curious since the first airing of that episode.

    Matthew B

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14. exactly, I noticed that too! I wonder what happened!

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15. Schill That’s a great question! I know working with bigger things (race cars, motorcycles) I’ve been forced into making many special tools just by virtue of frugality. Unfortunately most of these tools end up being somewhat single purpose, as they are usually for something like transmission assembly. Would be interested to hear how Adam has made or modified his own tools.

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16. Great question, never thought about space maintaining as a philosophy…

    I would love to see a diagram of The Cave someday.

    Keep up the good work, Tested!

    J.

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17. Hi Adam,

    I’d be very curious to learn more about your planning process for projects. I’ve found with a smaller workspace that planning and prep is very important so that projects can flow to completion once all the pieces are collected. I know you’ve touched a little on cataloging reference and strategies for aquiring parts but I’d be very interested in knowing how you plan for the work to begin and flow.

    Thanks!

    -Jeff

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18. When I win the lottery, I’m gonna hire Adam to makeover my garage/shop! (LOL a guy can dream!)

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19. That’s an interesting answer because as a high school “woodshop” teacher, my school workspace is setup with lots of room between tables and machines to allow up to 20 people work at one time. I think about things like placement of a table saw that minimizes risk of someone else getting hit if there were to be kick back (hasn’t happened yet, knock on wood) and bandsaws placed to minimize the possibility for accidental bumps to operators.
    Efficient cleanup (up to 5 times a day) and security are big priorities which affects the layout of tools/consumables (like my office or a lockable tool room).
    Great answer and I look foreword to more!

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20. Hey Adam, I just started watching The Story of Film: An Odyssey. Only 3 chapters in and I’m learning so much about the history of cinema but looking ahead it doesn’t look like talks much about special effects. You should narrate/curate a multi-part documentary on the History of Special Effects in Cinema. But in the mean time what would be your short list of movies that illustrate specific techniques, styles, and artists who have influenced subsequent films?

    Cheers!

    -Don

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21. Hi Adam et al.

    This is gonna be a great series! Congrats on hitting on a great idea!

    I work in a shared lab at a university. I have seen it evolve over the last 5 or so years to a system of a central work area with some peripheral stations along the walls (freeze dryer area, synthesis ovens, wash area, DI station, centrifuge, weight station, hood stations, etc…). It seemed to naturally evolve as I have watched since the lab founding – and this is much different than any other lab I have been in. Most labs I have experience with had work spaces along the walls.

    At my personal workshop I have noticed I have started emulating this evolution (without thinking) with my tools and some stations around a central work area (which is always too small!). Before this experience I had never really given it thought and I certainly didn’t know “what is right”. My questions (which certainly don’t warrant to be addressed in a dedicated way – but maybe mentioned in a video) are (last one most important to me):

    Was it a natural progression (your work space) or did you really sit and think about it? Obviously a few things you thought on, but what just happened?

    Are there reference materials out there to do it “the right way”?

    It may seem silly, but since I switched to a “central” concept, I finish more projects and my workshop is better organized (though it has a ways to go). I feel better about my personal projects and seeing them through to completion. I am learning more new skills and getting choosier (a word?) about my new tools. Yet, getting burned out on a project has been a problem with me and I have abandoned more than I like to admit – even after changing my space. How has it been for you and what have you learned to help combat it? Have you ever had to just say, “this isn’t going to get to the end….time to move on”? – Or if you have never had this affliction, what do you think might minimize it for folks like me?

    Ya know – in my job (which I love), it’s not a problem. But more and more I am finding my personal projects are becoming my joy – and there it is an issue I really want to clamp down on.

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22. Hi Adam,
    Thanks to you I’m in SORTIMO heaven. Your Ideas of organization are so invaluable. It all started with Myth Busters and the way you and Jamie had the shop organized. It was a real Eye opener after working at a couple of very disorganized FX Shops here in LA. My Loft Studio has taken on a lot of your Great Ideas and I have to say ,Many Thanks . Franco

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23. Great video gents!

    I loved the idea of a shop philosophy or a flow to the overall design… Never really thought about it in that way.

    Thanks!

    I second that! I would also love to see a shop diagram Adam.

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24. Hi Adam!

    Found this picture on National Goegraphic site.. Jamie was so young!

    By the way, do you know what Jamie is up to these days? any build from him worth mentioning?

    

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25. all these member only videos are killing the site, especially when advertised in the public area. really unfair to us poor people

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26. Adam,

    To follow up on Kevin’s great question, which director or art director would you really want to work with. would you want to work with Ridley Scott, for instance, or JJ Abrams. Who’s vision would you most want to help bring to life. As a follow up, what kind of movie that you haven’t done would you like to do props or effect for.

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27. Adam,

    So I am really into model making (spaceships, cars, gundams, garage kits) and I have watched every video here on Tested involving that stuff. through that I have tried to compile a list of paints to use for my own models. My question involves oil paints, I have started using that paint technique to weather objects, from what I watched you like to use black, burnt umber, and burnt Siana, and actual espresso. Are there any other oil paints that you like to use constantly for models, can we as Tested premium members get a master list of paints that you use (Oils, Airbrush, acrylics, lacquers)?

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28. The premium vids are the reason why the free videos exist. A niche site like this simply can’t survive off of YouTube revenue and banner ads alone. No premium vids means a lot fewer regular vids/stories.

    Also, no free content has ever been paywalled here, the premium content is all extra to what the site has been doing all along.

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29. Adam

    What do you think are some of the biggest challenges that STEM faces? I’ve talked to quite a few people from science museums, teachers, makers spaces, business people and even Jamie on this topic and wanted to get your take on the challenges and possible solutions to more and better STEM programs, more diversity and getting and keeping teenagers involved.

    Rich

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30. Hello Adam

    I am starting to build the eagle from space 1999 12 inch scale my friends told me to make it float need help looking for suggestions if you need references go sci-fi and fantasy modeler volume 9 it up lighting but need to feel how to make a flipped over landing pad. The spacesuit from that TV show is really cool have you ever look at making it ? Thank you for your time I’m enjoying your great team that you have assembled and the great content . PS sorry if the words are misspelled I do have dyslexia

    Joe doub

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31. Adam,

    How do you find motivation to work on personal projects? I know this is something I struggle with being in Art School and working on projects 6 or 7 days a week for other people.

    Also, Do you have any tips for networking with creative professionals that you have never met and want to?

    Thanks,

    Jesse (3rd Year Industrial Design Major)

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32. Hi Adam!

    When I start a project, I jump into the part of the project I look most forward to do. As a result, I tend to get bored with the project after I am finished with the “fun parts”.

    So my question(s) are: How do you tackle a project? What is your favorite part of a project, and what do you do to make yourself interested in the project from start and all the way to the finished product?

    Thank you!

    Per Kristian Tvete, big fan from Norway

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33. Hey Adam,

    I have a work shop and I’m always tinkering and making. I know you have your sanding practices but for some projects I have wanted to get BIG sheets of sandpaper, bigger than letter sized sheets. I was curious if you knew anyone that sold like sandpaper on a roll, like gift-wrapping paper. I also think this would just be good for people who want small sizes. A cut your own sandpaper roll.

    Thanks in advance.

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34. Hey Adam,

    When replicating a prop, what is your process for accurately scaling and estimating measurements from screen shots?

    Also as a big Brazil fan, are we still getting the vid on your information retrieval masks we were tantalized about in your unofficial commentary?

    Thanks

    From another Adam

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35. HI, agnostichef

    For just about anything hardware, McMaster Carr is the first place to start.

    http://www.mcmaster.com/#standard-sanding-rolls/=1198n0s

    Just in case Adam doesn’t answer. You might check your local hardware stores, not home centers and see what they can do for you.

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36. Hi! a question:

    You always work in jobs that have big unkowns. Either by yourself of as a shop team, you’re often inventing/learning new processes mid-project, and doing a lot of problem-solving and development. What are your rules for keeping to budgets and deadlines, while still getting to try new things?

    -sincerely, a sculptor who struggles with this question 😛

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37. Adam,

    You maintain an incredible amount of organization in your shop and always seem to be optimizing for space and time management (in regards to first order accessibility). Do you apply the same methods at home for your household objects? Do you find yourself minimizing and culling products from your home to maintain that efficiency? Or do you find yourself relaxing a bit on accessibility in the house?

    Obviously you have a family to consider and I doubt that you are the sole decision maker.

    Would you have any tips for someone trying to organize and minimize in a home environment?

    -Tyler

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38. Adam,

    I would love to learn about what your thoughts on maker spaces and starting one. I am loathed to know that I missed the Inventern and would like to know if you guys will ever do anything like it again. last thing I would love to see a challenge based series where you Norm or Will are given a craft/task/project and are only given a certain tool set and have to problem solve how to do with with the limited tools and supplies.

    With Regards

    -Sam Bordelon

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39. Question for Adam – I’m moving shortly and in the process of purchasing a new home. Building a shop is very important to me and since I have the luxury of choosing a new home with a shop in mind, I thought it would be good to ask a question:

    Do you have access to computers or tablets in regard to providing access to online reference or imagery when you’re working on a build? If so, how do you incorporate this into your shop structure? Given your preference for tools to be close at hand and visible – I’ve always been curious about this. Some of my question comes with how to ensure computer equipment stays clean and functional with dust and debris…

    Thanks!

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40. all these member only videos are killing the site, especially when advertised in the public area. really unfair to us poor people

    Fair? I’m not sure that outlook is going to be productive in life.

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