Adam Savage's Favorite Tools

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2020
2020x1
Dial Caliper
Episode overview
Many of you have asked about the tools used in One Day Builds and seen around Adam's workshop, so we're starting a new series putting a spotlight on some of Adam's favorite and most .. show full overview
2020x2
Pica Marker
Episode overview
Adam puts a spotlight on one of his favorite shop tools, the Pica pen. While he has hundreds of markers in the cave, this particular marker stands out for having a tiny point that can .. show full overview
2020x3
Machinist Squares
Episode overview
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 .. show full overview
2020x4
Handheld Sheet Metal Brake
Episode overview
For makers who use any kind of sheet metal, this is an important tool: the handheld sheet metal brake. It's basically a pair of pliers purpose-built for bending thin sheet metals. Adam .. show full overview
2020x5
Automatic Wire Strippers
Episode overview
Here's another tool everyone needs in their shop: an automatic wire stripper. Unlike the manual wire strippers we've all used, these remove the outer plastic layer effortlessly without .. show full overview
2020x6
Labelmaker
Episode overview
You know those little square black power transformers that come with nearly every new electronic you get? We call them “Wall Warts”. The problem is that they often don’t have written .. show full overview
2020x7
Jewelry Clamps
Episode overview
Over the years, Adam has learned to look to other industries to see if the tools, tips, and processes used by other experts could apply to his workflow. It's how he discovered emery .. show full overview
2020x8
Chicago Screws
Episode overview
For cosplayers, trading tips and tricks are the bread and butter of the community. One of the best secret weapons for cosplayers are called Chicago screws. They’re also known as paper .. show full overview
2020x9
Westworld Safety Visor!
Episode overview
Safety glasses are an essential part of every workshop, and Adam takes issue with the design of those that don't fit well over his glasses. Enter this full-face visor, which Adam was .. show full overview
2020x10
Making Circles and Holes!
Episode overview
Making circles. Every maker has to make circles or holes, and Adam highly recommends that every maker have a compass set they can use to draw circles of various sizes. But in addition to .. show full overview
2020x11
Precision Rotary Tool!
Episode overview
There are many rotary tools in the world, but Adam's latest favorite is one he learned about while visiting Weta Workshop. The Proxxon precision rotary tool is lightweight, powerful, and .. show full overview
2020x12
Wearable Magnifiers!
Episode overview
Adam goes through the different types of magnifying devices modelmakers can use for precision work, from handheld loupes to stereo surgical glasses. But the best type of magnifiers for .. show full overview
2020x13
Bondhus Hex T-Handles!
Episode overview
Of all the allen wrenches, this set of Bondhus T-handled hex wrenches are Adam's absolute favorites. They're nearly indestructible, feel great when you’re using them, and are durable .. show full overview
2020x14
Workshop Utility Apron + Everyday Carry!
Episode overview
As you might've seen in Adam's recent videos, one of the changes to his shop workflow has come from his use of a utility apron for carrying his essential tools like Pica pen and dial .. show full overview
2020x15
Multi-Blade Utility Knife!
Episode overview
Adam can't get enough of this new utility knife that he's been using in the cave! On its surface, it looks like any standard box cutter with snap-off 9mm blades, but this knife also .. show full overview
2020x16
Glass-Cutting Rotary Bit
Episode overview
This tool tip was learned the hard way by Adam on a job he did (with Jamie!) many years ago that required precision carving around a glass bottle. Back then, the job took hours and hours .. show full overview
2020x17
Extended Grabber Micro Forceps!
Episode overview
Adam goes through the wide range of different pliers and grabbing tools he has in his shop, and their different use cases. From his favorite vise-grip locking pliers (which make an .. show full overview
2020x18
Awesome Circle Drawing Tools!
Episode overview
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 .. show full overview
2020x19
Essential Shop Rags!
Episode overview
Adam's latest tool tip is short and sweet: his pick for reusable shop rags to use around the cave for cleaning, applying paint washes, and wiping off your hands. Adam goes through the .. show full overview
2020x20
Heavy Duty Bearing Swivel
Episode overview
Among the many sorted tools and hardware in Adam's workshop is a shelf labelled "Lazy Susans." And inside are Adam's go-to swivel bearings for builds, including what he used for the dome .. show full overview
2020x21
4" Calipers
Episode overview
Adam talks about how he uses the various calipers he has in his shop and how after decades of using them he's come to a new point of view as to what type of calipers are most useful for .. show full overview
2020x22
Woodworking Thread Taps
Episode overview
Adam shares a new tool he only recently learned about but has found very useful for his builds: machine thread taps for woodworking! When paired with a set of woodworking drill bits, it's radically improved the projects Adam's doing in the cave!
2020x23
EDC Hammer!
Episode overview
Let's talk about hammers! Adam shows the hammer he made as a crew gift for his Mythbusters production team, and why he loves its design. And for his workshop apron he's wearing these .. show full overview
2020x24
Ratchet and Socket Set!
Episode overview
Adam gripes about something everyone who's worked with sockets can relate to: having an incomplete set because the cases they're stored in aren't any good. That's why he's a fan of .. show full overview
2020x25
Safety Goggles!
Episode overview
After a recent shop accident that required three trips to his ophthalmologist, Adam is a convert when it comes to wearing safety goggles for all kinds of operations in his workshop. .. show full overview
2020x26
Wiggler Machining Center-Finder
Episode overview
This week's tool tip is about an esoteric machining tool that Adam has used a few times lately in his machining projects. It's a "wiggler" center finder, used on his lathe and milling .. show full overview
2020x27
Best Hot Glue Gun!
Episode overview
Adam shares his choice of favorite hot glue gun for foamcore builds and prototyping! There are a lot of options out there for hot glue guns, and the ones Adam always goes back to heat up .. show full overview
2020x28
Best Budget Multimeter!
Episode overview
An essential tool for a modern propmaker is a multimeter for any kind of electronics work, whether for testing lighting circuits or troubleshooting wiring work. And while Adam has relied .. show full overview
2020x29
Artificial Catgut Sinew
Episode overview
Adam opens out his leatherworking cabinet to talk about one of his favorite materials used in the construction of his Indiana Jones bullwhip replica. Every maker should have some waxed .. show full overview
2020x30
Machinist's Blue Layout Fluid
Episode overview
Adam covers an essential tool he's been using a lot lately in his machining journey, and that's Dykem blue layout fluid for making precise marks on material when even a fine tip pen .. show full overview
2020x31
Socket Driver Adapters!
Episode overview
Adam shows off two sets of tools that helps him fast: a hex shank adapter that connects his drill/driver to any socket in your standard socket set, and hex drivers that fit any imperial .. show full overview
2020x32
Trammel Points and Rotape Beam Compass!
Episode overview
Adam's shown some tools for drawing small circles on work materials, but what if you need to draw a very large circle? Here are two tools to help with that: a set of trammel points that .. show full overview
2020x33
Optical Center Punch!
Episode overview
Adam shows off a machining tool that allows you to make a punched mark in an exact location on a piece of material--especially when precision matters. An optical center punch lets you .. show full overview
2020x34
iFixit Repair Toolkit!
Episode overview
For taking apart and repairing his electronics, Adam finds the iFixit line of bit driver kits more than meet the task. Their repair kits feel good to use, will last, and have an .. show full overview
2020x35
Angle Finder!
Episode overview
Adam shares a critical woodworking tool that is also a relatively inexpensive piece of kit! A cheat $3 angle finder helps you match an exact angle of any part you're working with to .. show full overview
2020x36
Folding Rulers!
Episode overview
One of the best places to find beautiful vintage tools is at antique malls, and Adam shares some of his favorite tools he's picked up from his travels. One such tool is an elegant .. show full overview
2020x37
Wire Twisting Pliers!
Episode overview
Adam loves discovering new tools by watching other craftspeople at work, even if there aren't immediate projects or tasks in need of that tool. Having a unique tool like a pair of wire .. show full overview
2020x38
3 Essential Pliers!
Episode overview
Today's tool tips are a three-in-one: Adam recommends three sets of pliers that perform unique tasks for grabbing, gripping, and manipulating materials for shop work. There's soft-jaw .. show full overview
2020x39
Wireless Endoscope!
Episode overview
Adam marvels at the advances in electronics miniaturization on display in his recently acquired endoscope. This is a flexible wireless camera with a built-in light that you can snake .. show full overview
2020x40
Annular Cutters!
Episode overview
Adam recently picked up a set of these annular cutters on the recommendation of his good friend John Knoll, and their efficiency in cutting large holes through aluminum blew Adam's mind. .. show full overview
2020x41
Mobile Filming Rig!
Episode overview
After over eight months of filming his builds in the cave, Adam has refined his mobile filming rig to make it easy to move around the shop and capture all the different tools and .. show full overview
2020x42
All About Awls!
Episode overview
In showing off the usefulness of a small awl for marking your materials and punching holes in fabric and leather, Adam gets to share a tool that was handed down to him from his father. .. show full overview
2020x43
Blow Dryer Oven!
Episode overview
One of the most useful tools from Adam's modelmaking days at ILM was the trusty blow dryer. Adam's preferred one is the iconic Conair Yellow Bird, which is one of the few things he wants .. show full overview
2020x44
The Savage Industries Apron!
Episode overview
Adam is thrilled to show off his Savage Industries workshop apron, which he designed and prototyped as a One Day Build this past summer! Based on your feedback and comments, Adam and the .. show full overview
2020x45
Hot Wire Cutter!
Episode overview
After making extensive use of this wire cutter in his most recent One Day Build, Adam dives deeper into how to use his favorite Proxxon hot wire cutter for shaping foam. It's a powerful .. show full overview
2020x46
McMaster-Carr Catalog!
Episode overview
For Adam's final tool tip of the year, he reads from an iconic yellow book: the mighty McMaster-Carr catalog. Not only is it an essential reference guide to the over half million .. show full overview

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