Why Adam Savage Made His Own Hand Clamp 

I love the "Adam Makes His Own Tools" series!!!

I applaud Mr. Savage, makers, hobbyists, creators, etc. who draws the object/specs which helps the process to create such. My drawing doesn't resemble what I envision, therefore, I proceed to blunder a few times to reach my goal.

Honestly I know it's a long shot but 2023 is the 20th anniversary of Mythbusters. A reunion chat with Adam,Kari and Tory together again would be a great way to celebrate. It would be fun to see Jamie as well but that's a long shot. We have already lost Jessi and Grant rip.

I think the double stamped A actually adds to it. It's like a subtle nod to the word savage. It's rather poetic with such precise machine work and then a "savage" A right in the middle.

Y'know what I like about this? You were looking for an older tool but decided to make a new one. But the imperfections in the metal and the not-so-perfect stamping really give it that old-timey everything-wasn't-precision-back-in-the-50s feel. It was made by hands with materials in the shop. I think it's perfect.

I love that he mentioned This Old Tony.

I really enjoyed him scolding the work in the mill! I'm a machinist and there is a LOT of dialogue between machine and machinist that is utter hilarity.

Am I the only one who enjoys watching Adam’s brain at work?! Watched the entire episode and didn’t even realize it was an hour. Beautiful work

37:12 is gold right there. Using a collet as a divider? Excellent.

Making, building, creating is the most satisfying endeavors ever. My dad started out as one of a few machinists at the plant we both eventually worked at, he was the one that everyone came to though, " Hey Barry, can you make me something to do this? ... Sure come see me in a "couple of hours". I have a great many of those couple of hour tools, that he made, and they are so dear to me because not only did he make them, but they are the strongest tools I have, and they have stood the test of time. Some of the are close to 50 years old now and look as good as the day they were made.

Adam,. ive watched you damn near half my life,. and to this day,. im still excited to hear your voice,. no matter the subject,. Thank you,. for being you,. in everyway.

Writes Every Tool's a Hammer 🔨 ...proceeds to make a clamp 🗜 that looks like a hammer! ❤

The editing just keeps getting better & better! It's all the small things that're hard to individually point out, but pacing, the zooms & meme cuts, the J-speedups with the audio still being normal while Adam goes superfast.. just wanted to say I see you editor!

I totally want to see a collaboration in the shop with This Old Tony and Adam!!

The example you showed pictures of on your phone is the EXACT clamp I have! Same color wood handle and everything Got it for a few bucks at an antique shop and restored it

I love the "Adam Makes His Own Tools" series!!!. I love the "Adam Makes His Own Tools" series!!!.

There's a satisfaction from accomplishment that can't be replicated. Whether the project is great, or small. It's always fun to see your ideas come to fruition, Adam!

Shop rules. Make square things round. Make round things square. Make old things look new. Make new things look old. Promise yourself you'll go back later and fix the problems and mistakes you made on the thing you just finished but never actually do it. Move on gleefully to the next bee in your bonnet. ✌

I love the parallels of Adam ogling over the custom armorer's tools at the conservatory while also making his own tools for his own work

You absolutely nailed the middle 'A', leaving that extra bit of character to make it even more uniquely yours

As a machinist, that is a gorgeous hand-vise Adam! I loved watching the whole process. I hope to have even half the shop as you later in life to do more work for myself in my own time. Like you said... the most rewarding type of work I've ever done is to design and craft my own tools.

Just put my headphones in and watched this for an hour. The world outside could've imploded and I wouldn't have cared 😂 thanks Adam 😊

The wet sanding with the big SPIT onto the sandpaper is really perfect imo

It’s amazing to have that many modern tools that you can make your own old fashioned tool 😊😊😊

The pure enthusiasm and genuineness in these videos is absolutely delightful. Adam is an inspiration, not just in creation of things, but in living a good life.

Adam, that hand clamp is a thing of beauty, amazing work. Agree with speedwaynut a reunion chat with Adam, Kari, and Tori would be great, if Jamie would join in would be nice to hear how everything is going now these days. RIP Grant and Jessi.

There's something so relaxing and zen like about watching you machine things. I could watch hours of this type of content

TIL that Adam Savage is a blacksmith reborn. All medieval blacksmiths were expected to make all of their own tools. It was not only that you needed tools, it proved you were a competent blacksmith.

I love it when he talks about maker philosophy. My dad is just like this - making and customizing his own tools to better suit him and the task at hand. I've noticed, though, how many complaints he gets from people with a more mainstream "minimalist" philosophy about having so many tools, materials, machines, etc. I wonder if that contributes to a reclusive demeanor. I think "old guy/gal" workshops are amazing, and I wish there were more of them around. 😊

Making your handle with flat planes will likely better enable you to make and additional holder/clamp for it as part of a "third hand," and keep you clamp in proper orientation.

2:24 a true natural machinist!! He was so excited about the end mill finish! Lol I love Adam for his enthusiasm and passion for “making” this man needs to be protected and watched over! We need to make sure he is passing his charisma and enthusiasm into young adults and future creators!!!

You say its not "beautiful'" but there is something to be said about simplistic old school beauty. If you had it all ornate would you use it as much? That's the great thing about the old school look because it all ready looks beautiful but not the the point where its a shelf queen. All that being said I love it and I love the dedication you put to your work, it honestly inspires me to do the same to my work.

In my apprenticeship as an industrial mechanic, we also had a device to align the punch letters and achieve even spacing between the letters. Is quite simple to build.

When I was a child I was told "Make and Do beautiful things". When I was an adult, overseas I needed to make military belt, and load bearing stuff. I did and brought it home. Then an elder told me that being able to make your own equipment (of a warrior in this case) is a sign of a complete understanding of the craft. I applauded your ability to master your craft.

This came at the perfect time. Found one of these in my grandfathers toolbox and have never seen one or knew what it was.

Metal work amazes me. Watching the meticulous precision unfold you can’t help but wonder how it was ever possible to create the tools without a equivalent machine of precision

I love his workshop, perfect balance between organized and cluttered. If I had a place like that, I don't think id ever be able to leave it, id just want to make/ work on stuff all the time.

I love the TOT reference. And he totally does those hilarious cuts. One time he scored some square tubing, and 'pressurized' it.

Adam, you made a very beautiful tool. It's Imperfections give it a character of its own. You should be very proud of what you have made. Thanks for sharing. Take care.

The range of materials that you grab from bins/buckets/grab-nags/stashes is truly inspiring. So much forethought when you see something and think 'that'll be useful one day' It is never not fun to watch you do your thing. Kudos Adam. PS - Ask Chinbeard for Tim Tams.

Reading your excellent book. Was laughing out loud when you said you were mediocre at all making skills. I’m astounded by your skills and this build. What a gorgeous tool you made.

This hand clamp looks beautiful and oOoOooh the perfectly perpendicular faces, the pieces matching like a hug, the handle beautifully practical... I absolutely ADORE when someone thinks of something they can't find, or it isn't quite what they looking for, and then just make it themselves, is SOOOO COOOOOL!!!! Also great reminder to DRAW/WRITE YOUR IDEAS! (this is me yelling to myself, 'cause I have all those amazing projects in my mind and when I finally do them 6 months later i have to reeeeally dig into my brain to remind the steps, it's very time-consuming)

My dude flipped that black walnut like a zen monk. I watched that 15 times. So seamless and awesome.

Oh, that is a nice outcome. Looks fantastic. Really has been a joy to watch you grow as a machinist over the last couple of years. I hope you revisit some of your early projects, like the bolt, in a couple years - measure up against yourself, see how far you've come. This project is incredible.

16:49 looks like he's operating the Tardis lmao.

I like how the surface finish turned out, because despite being a new tool it looks like one you had to do a little restoration work on.

Perfectly imperfect. It's a sign that it's custom and handmade.

I love this episode! Beautiful work, the joy of making something functional is unparalleled.

Adam. You're a mega inspiration sir! Thank you for all you've done for the maker community as well as for me personally. You're a legend!!

Love Adams talk about the joy of making things at the end of this, and that that's a feeling AI bros will never have.

Mr. Savage I like it when you have those "I need this tool to be better." And then you just make the tool. You have inspired me. I do leather work, and there are times I "need this tool to be better." So I sit down, sketch it, and make it. Then I have the thought, "I just pulled an Adam," lol. Thank you. For making me a better maker. Also, there is a leather stamp holder to do letters evenly. Maybe look at that and build on it ?

I’m surprised Adam hasn’t fabricated a universal mount system for the shop vacuum hose to catch debris from lathe to mill machines. If it could talk it’s either dying with anticipation to one day get an upgrade or rubbing it in that to the other tools that it’s still OEM. Tinker Strong Adam, Tinker On!

This thing turned out well! Thanks for sharing. Two small v-grooves in the jaws (one vertical, one horizontal) would do nicely here.

The precision of the work and the imprecision of adam's camerawork and attitude. A perfect dichotomy that captures the man.

I had such an immediate and visceral reaction to Adam spitting on the sandpaper during polishing. I love this man more than should be possible.

Your videos are just the definition of pure joy for me, watching your excitement, listening to your wisdom and feeling inspired to make something - just can't be compared! I was actually enjoying a cup of coffee and a Belgian chocolate shaped as a set of plyers (saved for this occasion) while watching it - thank you for just giving me an hour of absolute peace and enjoyment at the same time!

I'm looking at the tool you've made, I actually like how you've done it. The more shallow angle of the one jaw compared to the other actually looks nice to me, the overall shape and possible heft seem like they would be great, only thing though is that you should probably add a metal cap to the top of the wood grip like on old screwdrivers and hand files to prevent it from cracking. Beyond that, it's beautifully done and I would be willing to pay good money for one.

I recently became an apprentice toolmaker and this is so cool to watch! I understand much more of the process now and it's a lot of what I do every day!

Thanks to you and this channel, I have been more and more convinced that I can do something to improve the tools and making of things. As a 56 year old tinkerer, I am forever grateful!!

Not to be a Negative Nelly, but I've learned (the hard way, as one does) to never make something functional out of a piece of cast iron that was originally intended to be a weighted stand or a decoration and not a stress bearing part. The foundries would pour the left over metal from critical castings into ingot molds, and when those built up over time they would pitch them all into the furnace and melt them down for a run of non-critical stuff like door stops, microphone stands, etc. There was no thought given to the mechanical properties of the melt, and many different alloy mixes could end up in the same pot because it just didn't matter. The result was a casting that could have flaws, weaknesses, inclusions, and just plain shite metal in it. These kinds of stuff are literally made of "pot metal" iron. Making a part that you need to be strong out of this kind of stuff is a crap shoot at best. It likely doesn't make much difference in this application, but NEVER use unknown material for anything even remotely safety related.

Great work as usual!

It's always nice to see an expression come to life "Spit and polish" (45:19). Beautiful hand-vice Adam

I love tools, and making one yourself is always so amazing! The first time I started up my reprap 3d-printer that I made from hardware store parts was such an amazing moment

The pollen over here in Dogpatch is kicking my ass too! I feel your pain. 😊

Adam's next endeavor as a machinist needs to be about him making his own mills and cutters. He has all the skills required, if my memory serves me well, he has an oven so he can harden stuff... i think it's time.

The gritty surface adds character. I like it

I wish my job consisted of saying "I think I want to make something today just for me and get paid for it" :). I'm glad I get to live vicariously through you and thank you for sharing!

I never knew a tool like this actually existed. I have always thought of just modifying the worm gear of and adjustable wrench, replacing the pin with a shaft and a wing nut welded to the other side for good torque! This one is way cooler than my idea. I just wish I had the equipment to make something like this myself!😅

I feel your allergy pain. I was so flattened, I thought I had strep! Darned trees, treeing.

I feel like I learn more watching Adam work and build stuff from using his tools to the creations that he makes than I did in shop class and I was good in shop class.

The m'fing spin at 2:40 was so smooth and suave, damn.

Excellent work as usual. Next project - definitely a jig for the lettering :)

Eye protection brother. Want you to keep safe and making more videos. Much love and respect!

With much respect....Mr.Savage reminds me of Doc . We all know that Adam has built a time machine!...:)

You are incredible Adam! The pure joy you get from making a tool and showing it to a friend at dinner later is genuinely awesome! The tool looks amazing!

Oh, the memories!! I worked on the old Bridgeport mills in college & as a Jr. Industrial Designer for years. How the little things bring you right back.......that "rubber? shavings mudguard cover" over the Vertical Mill Shaft & the Horizontal Milling Bed Track!!! I staired at it for countless hundreds of hours of Mill Work. Hadn't given it a single thought in over 25yrs. till your video. Thanks Adam.

I remember seeing that Cheetos billboard in Cambridge, MA about ten years ago. My wife and I still use that phrase to describe yummy or spicy food

Only the real engineers will deliberate on which oil to finish a wooden tool with, to end up choosing mechanics lube! _I love the smell of production to keep me motivated! Vapor, like fuel in an engine, baby!_ After enough use, the original oil should be replaced by whatever's on your hands anyway, so why wait?! I also recognize that mild satisfaction in Adam's smile at 48:10 "We're all human, you get what you get, and this makes it mine; every signature is different. It's a reflection of me today, and I'm already proud of myself, so I'm proud of this as well."

This awesome hand clamp looks like it would fit in perfectly, in color, style, etc., in the Mandalorian's tool kit.

The no look black walnut dowel flip was impressive.

I don't know if Adam will see this. I hope so... I used to have to stamp a lot of names and nomenclatures on parts when I worked for Rocketdyne. One of the tricks I used was masking tape. Put a strip of tape where you want your letters and the tape makes enough of a lip to line up your stamps. With a little practice it will look very professional.

For some weird reason I love this video. Watching the milling of the cast iron was hypnotizing to me. I !ove that Adam was like I need a tool to do this job I already started on R2D2 so I'm just gonna make it. Mr Savage you are my favorite mind on RU-vid.

I love when Adam says stuff like "I know you guys saw that coming" or "you already know that" as if I'm also an expert machinist, it makes me feel special. Also I've never wanted to smell a tool so badly!

The beautiful thing is, a creation is itself a reflection of its creator! And if that thing is a tool, then you hone in on your own style of making.

adam you're someone i could keep watching till my eyes bleed. never stop doing what you do untill you absolutly want to

It's appropriate that your hand-stamped SAVAGE looks savage.

I think it's great that one day Adams children will be grown and have these tools made by their father. They can then hand them down to their children. It's cool

28:00 Adam have such spontaneous and comedic times, better than a comedian.

The savage on the tool is all over the place, but it works so well. How does he do it. Adam calls himself an amateur, I'd say he's a pro, fantastic talent.

I made something similar for tool and die work. Only major difference is that I added 45° notches on each jaw, going both up and down and left to right along the jaws, makes pulling pins out easier and can hold stamps if needed also.

I like the rough finish of the metal. It gives it a workshop character.

Those stamps have the "bottom of the foot Andy" vibe, and I love it.

Love everything you've ever done Adam. That said there's a certain beauty in pure functionality and i think this hand vise is a perfect example of that. Great work as always man!

the fact that adam still doesnt have a serious dust collection makes me feel a lot better about my shop state

51:30 "I'm gonna take this home and smell it tonight" Yeah, that after project feel mang.

It's lovely that you made something new from something old and styled it so similar to a truly old tool. I love that it matches your original hand vice. Good job as always Adam.

Absolutely love it, inclusions, self-induced handle patina and all. There's something very inviting about hand-made tools that makes you grateful for that next opportunity to pick it up and use it.

6:00 it’s interesting how you can see the mill bit go through a section of material that must be more dense and the bit slows down because the shutter effect changes.

That hand vise is a thing of beauty and watching the making process was a true joy!

What a lovely object! The "clack" when the jaw halves came together says a lot about how well they fit. Does anybody else go "omnomnomnomnom" when they see end/face mills going to town on things? No? Just me? Okay.