Adam Savage's Favorite Tools: Jewelry Clamps

[@tested]

Jewelry Wooden Ring Clamp: amzn.to/2uMsE0Y Hand Vise: amzn.to/2VH6tEy Sanding Sticks: amzn.to/3akHWJw Heavy Ball Vise: amzn.to/32Mdh56 Disclaimer: Tested may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through the links here.

[@knallpistolen]

Adam - what was being made when you smashed that nail ? Wishing you a quick recovery :)

[@davidamoritz]

I used to work for Stuller did you order them from them?

[@calebs4887]

Adam Savage’s Tested check out clickspring’s main channel, especially the playing card press.

[@builderbb8767]

I added a "universal parts holder vise clamp" to my solder station to hold the piece and use hands to position wires

[@gorgonzola86]

Actually there are much cheaper sandpapersticks for jewelers available, sadly only in europe as it seems, as my american colleagues seem to mostly use those nail files too. Oh and normally you would put the ring much deeper into that wooden clamp, as it for setting stones (but today you would much likelier use that exact heavy ball vise instead.

[@paulkolodner2445]

I recommend getting catalogs of surgical tools and dental tools. They make all sorts of peculiar forceps, tweezers, clamps, cutters, etc. Dentists need extremely small grinding tips to sculpt false teeth, and they can be used in a Dremel tool. One of those came in mighty handy when I needed to make a precise, small-diameter, round-bottom groove in a metal plate.

[@stayawakestudios]

I love all of these small tools that could make all the difference in a project

[@Duraltia]

Sometimes it's just a change of tools itself... When my old MTB snapped in half ( i.imgur.com/WPAMXfT.jpg ) after seven years of service I, obviously, had to get myself a new one ( imgur.com/gallery/bPmp1 ) as it is my preferred choice of transportation ( can't stand public transportation despite it being top notch where I live ) and the new one had a CF Frame which wouldn't do well with _any_ CF contact making screw getting over torqued so I got myself my first Torq Wrench - A *WERA Series 7000 1-25Nm* one plus some Wera some Allen Keys and Bits all of which have the WERA Hex-Plus system preventing ( or discouraging ) stripping out of Hex Screws... And they work as I've yet to strip out a Hex Screw with them - Especially on the smaller scales... Due to a rekindling of my RC Hobby ( imgur.com/a/GzLRqvl & imgur.com/a/fxHQqrn ) I also recently made the change from a "Do-it-all" Aztek Airbrush with like a dozen or so tips to two dedicated Tamiya ( Iwata? ) 0.3 and 0.5mm ones that blow the Aztek out of the water - ESPECIALLY when it comes to cleaning - The Plastic/Rubber Aztek is like Tupperware that was once filled with Spaghetti sauce - You'll NEVER get spilled color off it! Meanwhile the Tamiya Chrome plated ones you can easily be cleaned to a factory cleaned state which DOES kinda matter.

[@Sven_Hein]

I just found one of those small clamps with the cone at a yard sale and immediately thought of this video. Really a great little tool.

[@ThatGeekyMaker]

Never ceases to amaze me how many great tool recommendations Adam has. I'm never going to run out of cool tools to get. These look really handy.

[@scottmantooth8785]

*the main problem would be the amount of funds you can realistically allocate towards the accumulation of these tools and where these acquisitions would be stored once they arrive*

[@antraxxslingshots]

17 years from now: Adam Savage's favorite Tools ... basically every tool :D

[@scottmantooth8785]

*he'll invent a few of his own as well*

[@blackoak4978]

My favourite tool is always the RIGHT tool for the job I'm doing. When you have the right tool, things are just so much easier. It's the elation of being able to focus on doing the job, not on HOW to do it

[@shirukivondream1313]

as an engraving student it would be so cool to see you try your hands at engraving!

[@bobbonham4823]

Yes! I've always believed in "cross pollination". I've always thought we were trying to solve problems somebody else has already solved. Thanks for the video.

[@DrakeMagnum]

I feel this more and more with the passing of time. Often I have a project and need create some particularly shaped object. My instinct is first to plan on crafting it from scratch but then I've developed an internal mantra like "Wait a second. This shape exists already. Someone somewhere has made this exact shape out of some substance. It might even be in a material that can work with this project. It might even be cheap to acquire."

[@Tardisntimbits]

I love falling down video rabbit holes. I've recently come to enjoy watching painting restoration videos, and I've learned a few things I think I can apply to prop making. Beyond that, it's just fascinating to watch these people meticulously clean, fix torn canvas, and then rebuild these paintings with varying degrees of additional paint.

[@thisnamehasnoreason]

I feel like meeting adam would be a life changing event, honestly one of my heros.

[@creedbratton1545]

Let me guess, father went to buy cigarrettes and never came back?

[@williamloftus4028]

One of the most knowledgeable men in the world and never heard of a nail file

[@speedwaynutt]

Adams like a big kid showing off his toys and it makes me super happy.

[@shawnmurdock8059]

Hey Adam, Agreed! The ClickSpring channels are intoxicating. I have binged watched almost all of them. The workmanship is fantastic and the video quality is awesome.

[@UndecidedDolphin]

Just wanted to thank you Adam for the thoughtful five minuet videos I love to watch at home on breaks while I work on stuff.

[@patrickyork2975]

I highly recommend sanding twigs. I just found out about them myself. They are ~3-4 mm wide emery boards.

[@thomashverring9484]

I saw several similar engraving balls at a museum town we have in Aarhus Denmark, called The Old City (Den Gamle By). These were from the 1800s. But I really didn't understand them-till now! Thanks, Adam, you're the best!

[@Tardisntimbits]

Also, I just want to thank you, Adam, for not only basking in your recently acquired knowledge, but openly sharing it with us all. I know some makers who guard their methods and equipment like a dragon hoarding treasure, and it drives me crazy.

[@GrowthCurveMarketing]

Third finger on left hand shows contusion... Adam is still busy... LOVE IT.

[@86fifty]

I didnt even NEED to hear Adam explain the ball-base-weight... As soon as he picked it up and put it back down, I made that 'hoohhhhhh' gasp noise and I knew it was an awesome object!

[@rubbers3]

Ever since I first started doing cosplay and especially postapo outfits, I always loved researching other fields to find new tools and techniques, but also finding new uses for those tools and techniques.

[@Testacabeza]

I used that engraver's ball when I was 12. Had engraving lessons at school. We had to engrave for a year on copper plates. Bring nice memories.

[@zackkros7528]

Thanks for showing us your best tools Adam! Wonderful stories you had back in the day too. It's so great to hear about the things you love about the tools. Hopefully I can be as proud to own things like you do, one day. Keep it up, man! What I'm trying to do with these comments is be positive about things, because there is so much negativity in this world, being positive is the way to combat that. Have a wonderful day Adam!

[@rjc0234]

A good clamp is never an understatement. I need to cut down 4 bolts that were attached to rubbed mounts. I spent a literal 20 minutes using my small bench mounted vice at home that was on a ball joint. the thing wobbled a bit and it was a nightmare. I thought "screw it" and decided to take the other 3 into work and use the big old heavy duty clamp in the workshop. it took me 30 seconds each to cut through the remaining bolts, same hacksaw, same bolts, its just this vice prevented it from wobbling. This is why I love Adams content. so many other people will try and do the whole "you can make anything with pegs, bottle caps and hot glue" whereas Adam always aims aims to have the best tool for the job.

[@Dustquake]

I love this. I'm of the same mindset that you can find great tools and resources from different fields of work. Thank you for pointing these out.

[@willhouse]

Watch repair shops always have at least one little handheld vise with a pointed rod that threads into one side. They're used for pushing pins out of watchbands in order to remove links, and if you ever need to do a similar job there may be nothing else that works so well. Great video this time around, Tested!

[@steveaukes4770]

Used many of those same tools when I worked as a Tool and Die Maker doing small delicate work under a microscope. The engraving ball vice was a life saver when repairing mold surfaces with a laser welder and .003 inch welding wire. Totally agree with looking at tools in other industries to solve problems.

[@TheMadTatter]

As a retired jeweller myself, I can attest to the usefulness of the swiss clamp 👍 Edit - also, take a look at how jewellers make splitsticks/buff sticks 👍

[@lordninnadilldo3083]

I'm a bit late but, as a amateur locksmith we use the hand vise to hold keys while making new keys for locks. I personality love jewelers tools.

[@alanab4694]

Nail E-File bits are fantastic for carving EVA foam. Multiple grit, multiple shapes and sizes. Nail dotting tools are great for embossing and shaping. Clear nail builder gel and a UV light for curing is a great glass simulation.

[@DancingSpacePotato]

I absolutely love this! I watch a lot of these videos and others from whatever industry to help me with so many weird solutions for what I do most as a musician. The musical instrument repair world is full of homebrew tricks and tools to do super specific things and these clamps would definitely fit into the workshop.

[@tnp651]

I'd love to see a video on hold-downs for drilling or sawing small parts.

[@skooter6235]

That black fingernail makes me say ouch every time I see it

[@zackkros7528]

Yeah it does look pretty bad doesn't it. I wonder if it hurts or not?

[@miraclo3]

@@zackkros7528 those hurt for the first day or the few hours or so then it's pretty normal.

[@zackkros7528]

@@miraclo3 Ok

[@ky-gp4sz]

nick paz 0K

[@racketman2u]

I was dealing (very poorly) with this issue just today, so those clamps were very interesting. In fact, in lathes and milling as well, getting a good grip on your work, whilst still being able to do the machining you want to do, often takes more time than the machining.

[@700bond700]

I glued up craft sticks and tongue depressors and made my own ring type clamps for my hobbies. must have made a dozen tweaking my design, they work great.

[@Real28]

Best part of the engraving ball is it let's you stay in ergonomical positions, giving you better leverage and staying healthy.

[@project86xero]

I do leather work and those ring clamps would be fantastic for when I need to grind and modify conchos and other small metal stuff. Awesome... Thank you.

[@Sharklops]

also search for "hand vise"

[@owenoertling221]

I was able to get a engravers vice that came from my great aunts jewelry store. I had no idea what it was at first! It is a beautiful and amazing tool

[@CutTimeBrony]

After looking into engraving last year and the tooling (including cost), I really wish I could just see something as expensive as a ball vice and say Oh! Im gonna go buy one of those.

[@steamgadget]

A leather sand bag can be a greatly useful thing for engraving, if you don't have a ball vise. Some things can't be clamped in a vise (like trophies) and must be held, or set, on a sandbag... Speaking from experience here.

[@bn5055]

That blackened finger nail is coming along nicely!

[@JasonPatz]

I knew about NONE of these before this video! Thanks for sharing!

[@joegilly1523]

My buddy has a bunch of different vices for his fly Fishing Lewers . Adam always has cool stuff

[@stepheneberly1112]

I've never seen one so clean

[@BandanaDrummer95]

Clickspring has some videos that show a few really simple clockmaker's tools, including basically a larger version of the jewelry clamp. Best thing is that with some of them, there's even videos where he makes them

[@jmalmsten]

The mechanism of that first jewelry clamp... My mind broke with the simplicity of the whole device. Such a straightforward solution! I assume the hinges need to be of high quality though, since everything about them is trying to pull them apart.

[@Warshipmodelsunderway]

One trick I’ve learned is to stick things to these things to work on them. This can be as elaborate as soldering a small brass part to a larger chunk for machining, embedding in a pool of wax, to mounting plastic with double sided tape or superglue to a temporary base.

[@Broadshore]

Those tools are awesome for 1/6 scale stuff. Even the old wooden Ring Clamp.

[@jimmascaro2456]

I made 6 of these out of ironwood with a wedge that gets inserted from the back working with a centered nut/bolt that levers the opposite end (working end) to pinch with varying degrees of strength. The working ends I glued leather to so as not to dent wood. My boatbuildi g inatructor showed us a simple version of this for lapsiding wooden boats. Still have them.

[@TomsCustomCreations]

Hey Adam, I work as a jeweller, making reparing and resizing jewellery. We've gotten rid of a lot of these tools because they're too big and inconvenient. If you have somewhere I can send you pictures, I'll show you the stuff we use now.

[@willburke]

I have a handheld jewlers vise that has pegs like the engraving ball shown, and it works great for painting tabletop miniatures since it can hold the base and have a better grip and center of gravity for moving it around.

[@Xargosss]

You should check out universal positionning vise, it allows to move the piece you are working on very easily, you are basically shifting the rotation center of the piece to have it right under your microscope . GRS sells a pin that you can adapt on any vise, it's really cool.

[@Chris_Hannan]

Every workshop should have Parallel pliers. also check out the GRS benchmate. And for holding different gage wire a “Pin vice” which is super cheap and handy.

[@WurdBendur]

One of my favorite tools for holding onto small things is a jeweler's pickup tool. They work just like the ubiquitous bendy pickup tools you use when you drop something on the floor, except they're about the size of a pen and not bendy. Normally used for holding beads or gems, but they work well for screws, and they'd probably be handy in model building as well.

[@inzagwa]

I feel like asking the question "Is there any amazing tools you never see outside (a/your) industry but everyone should know about?" should be a standard "Adam Interview's" question when he does shop tours or meets other makers.

[@joemedley195]

I also believe in looking at other industries. I have a tool catalog given to me by a sculptor friend and I once went down a rabbit hole of guitar repair videos.

[@christopherdrekr1078]

Got two ! I'm a silversmith;) ooooh there's more Adam I've collected some ingenious jewellery tools & clamps in particular but engraving does have its own great tools i stick my ball onto a leather wrapped sandbag. Never thought I'd say that !

[@mishagriffith5518]

Adam, look into stone-cutting clamps, vices and especially lifting hardware. You are working on a small scale here, but have you ever wondered how medieval stone masons lifted large, pre-shaped stones with no visible grasps on the outside of the stone? Dove-tailed Lewis are the most remarkable clamps because they work from the inside.

[@TheChristmasChicken]

As a studying jeweller, I love this!

[@kurtownsj00]

Many, many tools like this and many other interesting ones in the Micro Mark catalog!

[@Goguleroma]

One tip on the nail filers, if you maybe didn't knew. The ones made from glass if you use them on soft materials like plastics or foams, they just need a wash and last FOREVER.

[@THEQueeferSutherland]

One of the greatest tools I've discovered, especially with electronics work is simple BlueTak. Way better and way cheaper than helping hands, just smash whatever you need to hold into some BlueTak and press that against another surface and it holds it perfectly still for nice soldering joints.

[@sahiibshow8206]

Wow, this is so so awesome, thank you so so much for that video. Please make more videos like that, it is so so helpful.

[@thrice1888]

These are great! I was working on a small piece and was having a hell of a time keeping hold of it, so I ended up super gluing it to a piece of wood. I thought “screw it, I’ll deal with getting the glue off later” Well getting the glue all off took longer than the actual project itself

[@16bitHi5]

this makes me think about the cases i buy for my kits. I have a snowboard bag for my lighting kit and a riffle case for all my camera gear go pros and lenses for my dslr. Its alot cheaper and very nice for keeping things safe.

[@chrispalmer3058]

jewelr's supply places also pretty much always have premade sanding sticks in various profiles like half rounds and in specific grits

[@klaytuhs1336]

When Adam said he went down a rabbit hole of KZbin videos watching engravers, I knew it was going to be ClickSpring. I went down that same rabbit hole!

[@scottmantooth8785]

3:21 *i've seen one of those made from a bowling ball with a section cut off with a ban saw and held with a small tire*

[@petermot645]

Thank you Adam. I planning on retiring in a few years, and I have a few models to build.

[@xandriaangel4054]

I love ring clamps, but I’ve broken the wood a couple of times-you can make a super sturdy version with square tubing!

[@shawnr8425]

Adam, I’ve always wanted to know the story behind your yellow hair dryer. Near the cosmetic aisle with the nail filers is also the hair aisle. You should see the things new hair dryers can do! 💛

[@vallassy]

Definitely need that engraving vid added to the description.

[@tested]

Added. Sorry. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXyUgIiwpLtmgcU

[@copcuffs9973]

@@tested I saw the thumbnail photo (&1:47) and thought your sandwich was sad and need more than the bun. Keep up the great content.

[@MikuHatsune1311]

That awesome orb clamp is gonna be incredible for my Costume work, hand-sanding individual pieces for resin casting has never been so easy! :O

[@lastwordindicator]

A Victor Ball Vise is definitely on my to get list.

[@davidblock1464]

4:15 Love the word he used, "clampage"

[@Kinnamon100]

I once used an icing bag and tip to form a flexible tree branch with a wire inside. Worked great but gummed things up when it dried.

[@allseeing5815]

Thanks Adam!

[@EngineerfifeninerO]

Two of these a week please

[@xLuCasanovax]

That sphere is really cool. As for the clamps I feel like I would just use vice grip pliers

[@RedHeadKevin]

A suggestion I would give to any maker is to get some physical tool catalogs, and just flip through them. I've learned about all kinds of weird tools from thumbing through the Micro-Mark catalog. Also, go walk around a hardware store and look at the tools. Look at the fasteners. Look at the shapes of things. See what's there. Think of what you could repurpose. Think of what things can do, not what they're made to do. My airbrush cleaner is made from a cheese shaker. My spray booth started life as a medicine cabinet. My paint thinner container was pickles, I think. I use all kinds of clamps in model building. One that I've found a lot of use for recently is basically an alligator clip on a stick. They're great for holding small parts for spray painting, but they're made to hold placecards on a table or something. You can get them dirt cheap off Wish.

[@RedmarKerkhof]

I totally agree with looking to other disciplines for tools. For example: I found that a pair of textile scissors is perfect for cutting horse hair. The ridges hold on to the coarse hair where smooth scissors would slip.

[@cancerfish6504]

They actually make smaller ring vices, which are actually nicer. I would also reccomend jewelers/silversmithing file sets. I really like that you covered this, cuz i do smithing, really fun and useful tools.

[@2600nano]

Where's the link to this satisfying engraving video Adam spoke of?

[@44invaderzim]

Tested never includes the links they say they are going to include. Idk why they still even mention it lmao

[@tested]

@@44invaderzim It's here. Sorry. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXyUgIiwpLtmgcU

[@JW-hh4qg]

There's also a pop up card when he mentions it

[@almostunliketea]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/aYHacoSQg7GsZqs this is the main video that the clip tested posted is from

[@w_m_jewelrydesigns]

You want to see a really great engraving/ jewelry artist? Look up nick noyes.

[@rogercls]

Fantastic. Thanks for that insight.

[@A1BASE]

Workholding is critical in any manufacturing process - hobby or commercial. Talking of zen youtube stuff, have you checked out Clickspring? He's basically monopolized the youtube market on small brass-turning and machine work because he's so good at it. The perfectionist in him makes utterly relaxing video.

[@HansonProMusic]

Hey Adam... At the end of the video the 'ball clamp' device.... Why not make an electromatic magnet base (on/off with footswitch) to hold it firm? Would love to see a video on that!

[@olepigeon]

Viewers: What's that THING hanging from the ceiling?! Adam: Yes.

[@86fifty]

I really want to KNOW the answer to this question! Will we ever learn it...?

[@olepigeon]

​@@86fifty John Carpenter's 1982 version of The Thing. It's largely considered one of the best practical effects movies ever made. Just look on KZbin for "the thing spider head," but I highly recommend you watch the whole movie. It's fantastic! Also worth checking out the 1951 version, it's very good in its own right, but very different from the 1982 version. Classic 1950s horror/sci-fi that keeps you guessing.

[@86fifty]

@@olepigeon Ohhh, I understand now! Thanks a bunch for the info!

[@jima1135]

Where is the link to the engraving videos? It bothers me when YTers either say they will link a video or talk about past videos without including the links to the videos they are referencing.

[@tested]

It's here. Sorry. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXyUgIiwpLtmgcU

[@gabiballetje]

Having gone to school to run a jewellery store i have worked with this stuff, and more. Than giant ball used for hand engraving stuff is ideal. Heavy and easy to move around you work object. But since it was expensive and heavy we used a small leather pillow filled with sand, also works, but is lower, it is wider, and it means that if/when your hand engraving tool does disconnect and your force being applied means you shoot off of the surface it is easier to poke yourself in the hand with an extremely sharp tool and go really deep into your hand. Or course you should keep your hand flat-ish, but, that's not the easiest way to work. But such an engraving ball is fantastic. Different mounting options on top, easier to hold, doesn;t move as much, does spin easy. I really did like the hand engraving, would not mind doing some of that again, but then i'd want to make my own stuff again as well, and a whole work bench with torch setup and all kind of tools to use to be able to make just about anything is thousands of dollars/euros combined, soooo, eh. Same goes for the wooden clamp that is indeed ideal for rings and other small things to hold. Fantastic stuff. Still do have 2 pieces i worked on i am really proud of. A silver box that exactly fits around a loupe made from wire and plate, including hinge, hand engraved the facet of a brilliant cut into it, filled with niello. White gold somewhat uhm, opposite of concave, plate like a trinova whatever shape (very annoying to make) with a ruby set in each 'wing'mounted on a yellow golden square wire pentagram with broche attachment on it. Yeah, hard to explain :P

[@user-ee9cz6mc1x]

Thnx i was looking for a clamp like this, i recently picked up my old hobby of miniature painting and need a good clamp to hold them while painting

[@wwaxwork]

If you're into miniatures painting, it's well worth checking out nail art supplies, everything from tools, to holographic foils the works.

[@du1987de]

Some Savage clampage right there

[@Wastedwu]

Love Clickspring. So nice to watch.

[@kennysmomcs]

Very cool clamp looks like a watch movement holder. I use a presto pen engraving tool it's a dental tool but for fine engraving it works great👍🏻

[@kennysmomcs]

I also make my own wooden pocketwatch holders I use wood because it's non magnetic if it's metal it would possible need demagnitized

[@suijin25]

I learned the lesson of clampage after I put a 1/4 inch auger bit thru my hand.

[@SarahHafley]

It's interesting to try and figure out what order these videos are filmed in by how healed Adam's nail bruise is.

[@juhva]

Tim "the Tool Man" Taylor I just wonder where I should put all these tools...

[@dipt_tpid]

From the title i was thinking about Clickspring, and behold! You mention his engraving video :D. I also suggest watching any video from Uri Tuchman

[@danohstoolbox]

Ya it is worth looking at other industries for tools i have found some very cool items

[@jerryjohnsonii4181]

Very Cool tools , Adam !!!!!!!!!!!!

[@curtissmith3498]

How 'bout referencing our favorite clock maker, clickspring? i bet he has lots of cool tools.

[@aussiebloke609]

Yes, lots - and most he made himself. He has a videos showing how he made a few of them.

[@marvin5620]

In one of your videos you said you used alcld sealer to clear coat Molotow liquid chrome. I'm having trouble finding exactly what you are using. Can you give me a link to what you are using. Thanks. Great videos Adam. Your passion really gets me to try things I maybe wouldn't.