Adam Savage Fixes His New Belt Sander!

Adam picks up a new belt sander--because he can never have enough sanders--and proceeds to take it apart to restore it to working order! But making this sander square is going to be trickier than he anticipated, as Adam discovers evidence of past repair attempts.
Shot by Adam Savage and edited by Norman Chan
Music by Jinglepunks
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Intro bumper by Abe Dieckman
Thanks for watching!
#adamsavage #workshop #tools

[@ConardCarroll]

I'm only like halfway through. But I so love watching Adam's chair re-inflate in time lapse mode. Idk why I never saw it before, but now I can't stop watching. Thanks y'all!

[@TREVONBACH]

was gonna bring that and midway there is an extension cord hanging from the right that swings...... time lapse is just fun.

[@deadstrain]

Me too, and the cord swinging back and forth.

[@wendymontie5660]

Same! LOL!

[@nickblumert3865]

How awesome would it be to have Adam pick up a tool from you on craigslist?

[@freighter1097]

I'd think "heck yea I finally sold this thing".

[@tonymattera1284]

Tool, yes.....Corvette, no.....

[@aaro_n]

I was seriously just thinking about that

[@Drew_Snydermann]

I took, "It's arrived" as he had it delivered.

[@MrBertstare]

@@Drew_Snydermann same. I mean would you take your chances buying off CL in SF

[@aikumaDK]

"I bought this thing on ebay/craigslist" Whenever Adam says this, I always wonder if the other party recognizes Adam as the buyer. Imagine selling a belt sander and then see it again on Tested.

[@Warshipmodelsunderway]

It would be cool, but I wonder if Adam picks up stuff himself. He's a busy guy.

[@retrohipster1060]

​@@Warshipmodelsunderwayyeah I'm not going to lie I think that if I was Adam I would be having one of the rest of the tested crew or something like that pick it up. It's funny karma I tend to kind of feel like a lot of overuse their assistance and things random tasks, but in this case giving Adam more time to do other things directly is what gives gives them jobs. Lol Like saying "he is the whole show" would be disrespectful to the editors and everybody works together to make these episodes for us, but it's definitely in everyone's best favor to give Adam as much time as he can to create and feel comfortable/happy.

[@aikumaDK]

@@Warshipmodelsunderway Well, he often have deliveries mid-shooting, so I was leaning towards sellers sending parcels to "Tested HQ, So and so avenue 420, San Franscisco" with "A.Savage" written somewhere as well

[@NaughtyShepherd]

I bought some sound deadening tape on Amazon the other day for a SS sink install. I now tape the backside of everything that’s construction of thin steel to remove those resonant frequencies.

[@the_minimalistic_adventure]

Adam genuinely seems like one of the most fun people to be around!

[@harbl99]

I know bandsaw and drill press and lathe get all the love, but let's spare a moment for the real MVP of Adam's cave: compressed air hose. Hose is always there in a video just quietly doing work: "You need more visibility on that work piece? You need that dust cleaned out? You need a hand tool powered? You need your t-shirt brushed off? I got you boss."

[@hamdhoonwaheed2703]

Adam really is the Bob Ross of our generation. Your videos are always so meditative to watch.

[@TREVONBACH]

It's the hair.

[@escomag]

He would need to talk in a soft voice, say "This belt sander lives right there", and clean his shop cloths by slapping them in the base of the tool.

[@librasky]

Agreed 👍 💯

[@etherealbolweevil6268]

Lovely to see Adam channelling Stan Laurel. Struggling with mounting the vertical arm, when there is a nice vice at exactly the right height to help just behind him in clear shot. Do the hair thing Adam, please.

[@shookings]

IN MY LIFE, I never would have thought "Adam Savage is about to show me exactly what I need to do to my belt sander, because his and mine are the same model". This video could NOT be more fortuitous.

[@MrChompenstein]

"Sanders are the one thing I don't think I ever have enough of." Clamps has entered the chat.

[@harbl99]

Hammers heard there was a party going on.

[@GrantDolanMusic]

Am I the only one that found the cushion on the stool inflating oddly satisfying every time Adam got up?

[@wendymontie5660]

Not alone!

[@Jeffrose_]

I love how you keep your mishaps in the video. You are not alone sir. 😊

[@bod3000]

One of my first jobs was using same size sander. Many hours spent in stainless steel dust. Health and safety not so hot back then

[@ianburkard]

My daughters often ask me why my index finger knuckles are so much more calloused/scarred than my other knuckles. I used to grind blades all of the time, and would barely skim the sander with my top knuckles when holding things.

[@dragonettiification]

I can watch hourssss of shop infrastructure, it is so satisfying.

[@radonato]

Nice video, always great to see a solid, well built machine get the TLC it needs to bring it back to purpose. Hope it serves you well (and that weld keeps aholdin' on)

[@sshep7119]

The problem isn't having enough sanders or abrasive tools, the problem is storing all the abrasives. I have to have over 60 boxes of various grits, belts, wheels, discs, stones. From 1/8" X 24" belts through 36"x75" belts, 46 through 2000 sheet paper, every type of screw on disc possible and cubbys boxes and drawers for all of it. Yet, I somehow still need more and a better way of organising. Getting the tools and equipment is part of the battle, managing it is a whole other game.

[@Manny_Akamotakis]

note to manufacturers: a few extra bolts and screws in benches and stands makes the world of difference!

[@pauln6917]

I draw comfort that every flat surface here is just like every flat surface in my own work space. :)

[@High_Alpha]

I love it... "it's a bit loose, I'm going to tighten it"... proceeds to completely rebuild and improve it.

[@davidgutting4317]

I have one of those sanders, when the bearings go they howl loudly. As a rule, especially with harbor freight or grizzly tools, when I break down a tool for cleaning or get a used tool, I buy quality replacement sealed bearings for the whole tool. All my tools have lasted over 30 years, even my dremel with only a dust and oiling. The only difference between a disposable tool and a reliable quality tool is the care of the squareness and the precision of the moving parts. The tool will let you focus on the work and not on the tool when you do this up front.

[@THEShoky]

Welcome to The Sanding Corner with Adam Savage.

[@Bigrignohio]

Went full "Dave Jones" on this. "Don't turn it on, take it apart!".

[@marksnyder2232]

While stainless steel hardware may look pretty, a lot of the time it is more for appearance than strength, coming in around Grade 2. Watch your fastener head markings (which might make an excellent Tested tech tip short) and keep high grade fasteners in where needed. Generally, you can always go stronger but should rarely go weaker when replacing fasteners. Also, be sure to never-seize stainless fasteners that are being highly torqued as they have a tendency to gall.

[@jamesbarisitz4794]

Like BASF, Adam doesn't make the product, he makes it better.

[@mrsfgogo09]

Lol as you were walking it in to place it was a beet I was waiting for the guitar to kick in, and a fabulous piece to the cave

[@eddiel.7770]

Great video. I have a similar sander made by Reliant back in '92 and love it. The design is a work horse.

[@darrensullivan2942]

Question: When did you become fearless about taking complicated machinery apart? Was this something you did as a kid, or as you became an experienced mechanic did you realize that whatever you took apart you'd be capable of putting it back together?

[@aikumaDK]

I think in videos of him talking about mending his old land rover, he touches on this.

[@jackpeterson6670]

The answer is after getting enough money and breaking enough things

[@danielland3767]

​@@jackpeterson6670or it's out of warranty so you do it yourself

[@ryansmiley5495]

Develop a mechanical aptitude and a good knowledge of tool use. It goes a long way.

[@TheTechnosasquatch]

There's nothing to it but to do it. As well as if it is already broken and useless you can't break it more. The real trick is as you get started taking stuff apart is to take notes on what went where and lay out screws/bolts in the pattern of how they came off. Keeps nuts threaded onto their bolts. Be organized and certain in your movements. There is no worse feeling than breaking something as you put it back together because you used the wrong bolt and cracked a housing.

[@nec3f]

5:55, For a few seconds, I sincerely thought he was going to start using a magic wand as a pointing apparatus.

[@treepop1550]

This guy is a genius !! How do you get 6 million subscribers doing shop organizers/random miscellaneous tools/custom screwdriver stand ?? Etc.., I can only conclude that he is indeed a marketing genius !!! I'm not saying he doesn't deserve it !! I like his channel !! Surely the youtube gods are shining on you !!

[@andrewdolinskiatcarpathian]

Excellent “tool fix up”. Thank you for sharing. 👏👏👍😀

[@ianburkard]

What did you do this morning? -I machined my belt sander. Oh, ok. Very cool to see maintenance/setup of your equipment.

[@grandunionnews2510]

A great starter project to learn 95a Tpu would be vibration isolation washers and grommets.

[@davidjunk6117]

I have the exact same machine. I noticed that you never reattached the locking knobs to the left and right of the belt tensioning wheels. Not sure if yours is the same but when they are attached and tightened it changes the belt track a wee bit.

[@escomag]

You should show us your ventilation system and your air compressor.

[@drummanicman]

IIRC, he did a video on that already. He changed the flexi ducting into straight pipes.

[@donevans1884]

you can never have enough sanders or clamps Adam . who does not have a spear head around to sharpen , only you Adam brilliant .

[@anytow]

In addition to extra screws, I used foam tape in the seams strategically placed to quietly machine. Worked like a charm!

[@davidjunk6117]

oh I like that idea. I'm going to put it in my pocket for another day

[@brianlane8356]

Always love the incidental music. Thank you

[@damptabs8710]

It would be so cool to see Adam take on apprentices or something and if he already does (like are workshop assistants like that?), I’d be super interested in seeing their perspective of working with/learning from Adam.

[@Odb718]

@Adam Savage’s Tested Make sure you put sandbags over the legs, or some other weight. If it's tipped before, it can happen a 2nd time.

[@thomasnutter]

Woooop I have exactly the same sander in my garage workshop :)

[@jimmyjamjar10101]

Adam was totally that kid that just had to pull the phone apart to see what was inside... 🤣

[@PanicAtTheBen]

Adam. I love you. Can you please do a VO during these 1,2,3 minute timelapses. They are really difficult to watch. We don’t know what you’re doing and the stock music (would be fine if low volume with narration) is grating. Again. Lifelong fan. Love your work ON CAMERA.

[@19TheChaosWarrior79]

I've only just clicked on this video but with the amount of infrastructure videos happening it seems the cave is starting to expand as a workspace and the display area is going to start shrinking and possibly move a chunk of it to another space dedicated to the showing of of his collection.

[@mjohnson5108]

watching you zip self tappers into the frame to help kill the noise might be the most relatable thing ive seen on this channel. one of us lol.

[@scottstewart3884]

@Adam ,To me, it makes sense to have multiple sanders for a maker such as yourself since you like streamlining things. You can have one strictly for woodwork and one for metal. and if you have more then that, you can have them set for the most common grit you use, and the others for finer/coarser as needed.

[@Cahos_Rahne_Veloza]

I'm absolutely in love with and totally gushing over that very awesome video Thumbnail 😘❤

[@LuckySeven-pj1iu]

I stare at that Jack White-made seat cover every time it appears in a video. It might be the coolest object in the cave, and that's saying something.

[@philgallagher1]

0:39 I always thought it was clamps that you could never have enough of..... Now I've got to start collecting bloody sanders as well!?!

[@RuthlessMojo]

Hey Adam. Might I suggest that when you’re using something that produces fine particulates that you might use a protective face mask. You really don’t want to inhale them. I learnt the hard way and now have respiratory failure. It’s really no fun and I would hate to see someone else go through it if it’s preventable.

[@katelights]

Since you are not using the disc sander part, you could attach a flywheel there and it would have a bit more momentum and not slow down as much under load.

[@ryansmiley5495]

After a long complicated job you have to say " There, piece of cake!"

[@micknolen]

I have a sander that I think is based of the same casting. The switch is in the worst location. Where I have it nestled into my shop is similar to yours, where you have to lean across the belt to start it. Haven't re-run it yet but its on my to do list. Also it appears to be missing the wheel to attach the sanding disc on the upper pulley. Note the additional mounting hole for the table underneath the upper pulley.

[@patrickdiehl6813]

Nice addition to the shop! A man can never have too many tools 👊

[@RobR99]

Wife: "Your gonna have to choose, me or the tools" ... Judge: "So, your both filing for divorce? This should be easy." Wife: "I want all the money from selling his tools." Judge: "And so the end times begins..."

[@patrickdiehl6813]

@@RobR99 Should have ditched the wife and bought more tools!

[@gregorymacneil2836]

Table seem slow - you might want to add a base to increase the height. Great Video!

[@ReedCBowman]

You say you need more sanders, Adam? You have to try expanding-drum lapidary wheels. They make it so easy to get smooth blending of curves while removing lots of material at a time. We use one every day in making our work in brass. Stop by next time you're in our neighborhood at Meyer Sound or Tippett Studio...

[@jubjub64]

"Just a practice spearhead..." I love it!

[@Mountain-Man-3000]

Getting some good use out of that Jack White 1of1 stool!

[@TomTrustworthy]

If you make a little attachable bucket on the bottom of that sander, please bring us along for the project. I'd love to see what you consider while designing it!

[@SaultiBalldeip]

I JUST sold this very same sander. I ended up scoring a 1950s Rockwell Delta Upright 12in disc & belt sander. Old tools rule

[@johnszalay5549]

I have the same model that a friend gave me, I hated reaching around to turn it off so I wired another switch to the front side

[@marksnyder2232]

There are some excellent automotive sound deadening products out there, both as self-stick sheets and spray-on coatings, that might be useful apply to even further deaden machinery sounds like the ones you were fighting. I hadn't considered this before, but may now do so on some of my machinery.

[@mrbmw42]

I was going to say the exact same thing. For noisy stands like that I *always* line them with Dynamat or similar. It works so well.

[@OvMov7]

Imagine Adam buying something from you and then watching him improve it on youtube

[@frisc45]

are you that guy that sold him this wonky sander?

[@OvMov7]

@@frisc45 I wish!

[@zeddoverkill]

I love how Adam has the tools to be able to fix up the new tools he brings into the shop. xD

[@twatmunro]

Yeah, we could all fix cheapo broke-ass tools if we had a lathe and a milling machine in our basement of our multi-million dollar San Francisco house.

[@TREVONBACH]

the level of precision that adam has for his new old machines is something to aspire to.

[@chazzyb8660]

10:30 maybe time to "phone a friend?" I'll just sharpen my spear now…

[@nathkrupa3463]

Great video Mr Adam sir

[@bhairavdesai6815]

Sir, I show after so many years Love you Sir

[@MrMinkey11]

Adam, I’m the same way with 🔦!!!

[@marcpym5251]

The sanding and grinding zone now has 6 machines, if I count correctly? That man really started to specialize

[@mobilephone4045]

Question for Adam: When making Mythbusters, as a science show, but with a primarily north American audience, was there ever a discussion about using metric measurements and if so, what was discussed and why did you ultimately use Fahrenheit and feet and yards and pounds, etc?

[@goodvideos.113]

Your work is very fun ffi

[@-vermin-]

I hope you are using an anti-seize compound on that stainless hardware.

[@qnner]

Add electrical tape on plug ends of your power tools and on machinery side. Small piece of different coloured tape speeds up your work, when you don't need to raffle thru your same coloured leads! I only have few powertools and it's driving me mad when i second time plug wrong lead on the socket. I hope this helps someone if not @AdamSavage !

[@chrismofer]

9:19 hope you brought your grease pants used this same model of sander at a spot called build space LA where they make sets.

[@dewalddelange3502]

I have one of those heavy face milling cutters, which I have never used.

[@BlueLightSpecial2023]

"Got it for a song" and "been dropped on its head." Two statements that dovetail like a master woodworker's butt joints. 🙂

[@starhawke380]

I wish I could get to this level of comfort taking tools apart. My belt sander makes a horrible racket now. There is a piece of plastic broken off in the main roller for the belt. I cant even get that piece apart to take out the broken chunk...

[@anytow]

The base of the machine looks like it is drilled on the left side for an on/ off switch. I am curious why you didn’t wire it that way while you had it apart. It also looks like it’s missing the disc sander attachment on the right side of the as machine. Put a shelf on the bottom for belt storage.

[@paulknipfer27]

HOARDER!!! LOL

[@Bunk599]

Nice sander...good to have a mill for truing up the mounting surface.

[@mattburgess1160]

Everytime. Your workshop reminds me of some kind of shop that would have been in something like the Matrix movies. Just EVERY inch of space in the shop is used for SOMETHING

[@DaHaiZhu]

Dude, I think you need a bigger shop!!!

[@donepearce]

The noisiest parts of that sander now are the side walls of the stand. They boom like hell - stick some rubber sheet on there, or even better, heavy panel damping material for cars.

[@lawntofoodforest]

I’d love it if you mentioned the products and tool brands you were using, every now and then. I know you’re focused on the job at hand.

[@TheTarrMan]

That craigslist seller must've been happy to see you show up. Is it annoying can't go anywhere and do your thing without being recognized? Do you have an assistant to pick it up for you so you don't have to deal with that?

[@CaptainN80]

Where is the footswitch? 😄 Great job.

[@jeffharig]

how in the world does that wood floor hold up a Bridgeport?

[@SegginsProductions]

I think he explained it before but I don’t know where the vid is, I’m pretty sure there’s just a bunch of support under it.

[@aserta]

5:51 Dynamat (or any other similar product) on the inner part of the metal base will dampen the sound even further.

[@funone8716]

The 'new' ceramic belts (The orange or green ones) are amazing compared to the old Alum Oxide ones. The part stays cooler and they will rip off material even on low HP machines. Plus they last much longer. A bit higher price, but well worth it.

[@Thin447Line]

Can you possibly go into your air compressor setup? You seem to have an air hose just about everywhere and always available. As a weekend "hobbyist" I just have a little 6-gallon Porter Cable that never seems to hold its pressure. It comes on at random intervals and makes me jump out of my skin. I'm curious what a real "shop air" setup looks like.

[@TheSkandihoovian]

Its like R2D2 in the Droid shop.

[@drummanicman]

some good stainless hardware, as he just sends some self drillers through the pannels.

[@passingFable]

Stainless hardware is softer right? Does this have any benefits, or does it make the connection weaker?

[@AnthonyCelata]

With a title like "Adam Savage Fixes His New Belt Sander!" and a grey shirt how the hell could I not click on this video!

[@LimestoneCoastCustoms]

Ba ha! That's so typical like me! I buy something & find it's had a hard life or it's just junk from the word go, so I repair & or modify it to suit! It's frustrating but I like things to be right & work correctly!

[@shammient]

Cant get over how quiet a new 'bridgeport' is.

[@user-me5eb8pk5v]

I got some pican shortbread after chicken alfredo, tried pad tai & green curry, I really just wanted the yellow curry curry you tend to get with with potatoe stew, but who can complain when instant rice is 1.60$ a pound? The harbor freight belt and wheel cost by the belt / wheel diameter, but it's a similar problem to Ryobi tools, never fits anywhere or oh well that's cheap. It's like there's a market for being cheap, but not really, it's all thee same company. Like the 12 Rigid impact is now a bobber, but you can actually buy the 2A chinese impact, oh god it's priceless.

[@roryoutdoors5431]

Black Stool by Jack White... sounds like either an album title or a medical emergency! :P

[@Joseph90958]

A media blasting machine would be a nice edition