Adam Savage's One Day Builds: Mini Lathe Workstation!

With Adam's new mini watchmaker's lathe operational (thanks, Lee Marsh!), Adam builds a dedicated workstation to operate it, complete with all the tooling and accessories that he would want at arm's reach, as well as a digital microscope with monitor to get a close-up view of the lathe at work! And the best part: this workstation folds up neatly into a portable storage box that can be transported and deployed anywhere in the shop!
Shot by Adam Savage and edited by Josh Self
Music by Jinglepunks
Hayear digital c-mount microscope: amzn.to/3GIT8C1
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Intro bumper by Abe Dieckman
Thanks for watching!
#adamsavage #onedaybuilds

[@tested]

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[@kaboom-zf2bl]

build a better base with all the power cords connected into the base and a single power line coming from the base ... add a light at the top of the case to see the work ... and poof portable minilathe to keep in your movie set work truck ready for those strange needs

[@mikeL5183]

I have the pro tech kit, have for a couple years now, I love it! I've convinced several others to get the same kit and they're as happy with it as I am. I do laptop repair, this kit has what I need for any laptop I service.

[@mlrable]

Ifxit worst pure thrives I ever met. Would walk a hundred miles to avoid them even if next store. Horrible prop just franchisees of computer nerds without principles

[@dlbuffmovie]

OMG...the tiny milk crates are freaking me out, love them!

[@adamknight1569]

As a watchmaker of over 30 years, who inherited his grandfathers lathe, this has inspired me to make a similar workstation with the microscope as our eyes deteriorate with age. Absolutely love it.

[@jamesbiering2589]

I've always loved how Adam has never shies away that he's human and makes human mistakes and laughs at himself. Lotta people lose that soon as they get a little bit of fame

[@zrebbesh]

Suggestion: Limit the amount by which the doors can open to about 90 degrees, to prevent it from overbalancing backward and falling off the back edge of the table.

[@sithus1966]

That was a near "Oh S***!" moment at 16:58. which would have been proceeded by "Where did all those collets go"

[@plainnpretty]

I thought the whole thing was going off the workbench

[@ThatKoukiZ31]

Actually if you make 360deg doors you get complete access and no balance issues! *kidding*

[@kb9liq]

@@sithus1966 Yep, my OCD was hitting hard when he did not move it forward to stop it from happening again

[@whiffboy]

As well as limiting the swing of the doors you could put a pull out rod from the back which would stop it from tilting back.. it might not be necessary but it seems top heavy.

[@conorfitzpatrickdesign9616]

Thank you for bringing back the 'One day builds' title prefix. I hope you keep it from now on as it makes the videos a lot easier to find! Thank you!

[@newtonslogic]

Cabinet Maker of almost 30 years here. I still do mockup and dry fit design on my pieces all the time. Glad to know I'm not alone.

[@davidskala7652]

Man my heart almost dropped watching the doors swing all the way open and almost flipped over, it felt like it was in slow motion. lol I'd definitely put some limiting straps on the doors so they cant accidentally swing all the way to the back and possibly causing the whole thing to flip backwards off the workbench, unless it's being used with a wall directly behind it. Great work as always Adam love the videos it definitely gets me into creating mode and wanting to start some projects, much love and respect from upstate New York!

[@JaySay]

16:53 My heart skipped a beat or two there. And then immediately after I think my heart partially imploded!😂 When I saw that you were going to have the microscope be vertical, and the screen and assembly aligned with it, I knew that this box was going to be incredible in the end. Fantastic work, Adam! Great use of space along the walls. As a man who loves your psychology on organization and the mindset that goes with it, this build was spectacular!

[@uniaddict]

The poetic chaos that is your workflow brings so much joy to my heart :) thank you.

[@leemarsh3569]

Really enjoying the maker journey this wee gift has sent you down. 😊

[@edibleapeman]

The sounds around 22:30 are almost precisely like Doc Brown's equipment inside his 1955 estate in Back to the Future. I don't even need to rewatch the film for the first time in a decade to hear it. That's freaking cool!!! Also, Adam, this isn't a work station. It's a battle station.

[@paulh8220]

Hi Adam, With your watchmakers lathe going into a box \ carry case which will transform into the Workstation, here are some suggestions for you on your Mini Lathe Workstation and may even lead in to a vision 2.0. 1) Move the lathe’s motor and power supply under the lathe (under the shelf the lathe is mounted on). 2) Mount both arms for the Microscope and the Monitor off the top panel. 3) use a power board to have only one lead needing to be plugging in.

[@freqenc]

Always leave room for upgrades. Trust me, passion takes up room. 👍

[@SeanTBarrett]

I like how on our screens the display of the "microscope" view and the life-size view are basically the same size.

[@MarwinKellers]

At least he has zoom, but I think the wobbling screen could get annoying

[@wit6665]

Everytime I see those tiny milk crates I love them they are so fun.

[@anthonyvancampen6729]

Great idea to future-proof the backsplash by using threaded inserts. I used some earlier this year to mount a Panavise on the bench of the shop at work. Now when using the vise to hold things it is firmly mounted on the bench but can be removed and stored.

[@aserta]

Microscope on a miniature lathe is a no brainer for anyone wanting to use one. Doesn't matter if your eyesight is 20/20, you should get a method of magnification so you don't tire out your eyes. Tired eyes = tired brain = mistakes and ruined work.

[@benjaminjonholman]

This black cat makes a really good point.

[@chrisbyrne348]

You almost dropped the whole thing off the bench and reacted so calmly. WOW respect for that. I would have screamed a curse word, then have to take a few moments to collect myself. You took it all in stride.

[@donevans1884]

Brilliant video Adam , that drill bit coming out was great as it has happened about a dozen times to me today , all the best .

[@Jeffrose_]

Love your videos. Watching you reminds me to slow down. Thank you for sharing😊

[@daniwalmsley611]

Hey adam! Really appreciate both the inclusion of magnification and the "my eyes are out of warranty" gag As a partly blind maker seeing what I'm making/doing can be really difficult and you don't want to put your face too close to the spinning death jaws (the chuck to lay people) so this was really interesting to watch how you approached the problem. FYI this is why right to repair is so important we shouldn't be stuck with defective eyes just bc our warranty period ran out with no means of repair!

[@f1matt]

Sitting at my model bench working on a 1/72 scale Airfix DC-3 Dakota. Cup of warm tea at the ready. New ODB on the laptop. Life is good.

[@user-he5nh6zi6g]

For a second there, I heard in my head "suitcase machine shop" (been watching Laura Kampf & BOM Motorsports a lot) when you were laying out.

[@rockstarfan886]

Every time I complain about my garage workshop being to full of crap I see Adam's and feel a little better 😅

[@BenjaminVaterlaus]

I love that at 21:08, there is a screw on Adam's right shoulder/back. Forget shop-glitter - that's the sign of a true maker!!

[@juscozcustoms]

I have been waiting to see this build. It has been in the background of so many other videos where that latch box held more of my attention than it should have

[@billbucktube]

Looking good, wanna see it finished.

[@philgallagher1]

You can always tell when Adam is concentrating & knows exactly what he's doing and how he's going to do it - NO drumming, NO funny accents, just "head down and doing the job".

[@jamesalbrecht395]

I like your method of “modularizing” your jeweler’s lathe. Everything in one package…. You may want to include an LED gooseneck light in your kit. Out of warrantee eyes and cameras do better with additional light.

[@drewrathbone7857]

After having seen this in the background for months, and wondering what it was, the mystery has been finally revealed 🎉

[@stoneyface]

can i just take a moment to express my complete fascination and AWE of the recessed clasp! good gawds man!

[@RichardMerrill3Hawk]

I was amazed to see you solve all these spacial problems so quickly, and make them as you went. Always fun.

[@robertburgess6100]

Very cool carrying case.

[@sebascr]

Try to store the screen with the cables attached to avoid port fatigue by plugging in and out and reducing setup time, great work as always!

[@wrongtown]

I feel the editor robbed us of closure regarding that rolling bit at 4:51

[@CaptianFlan]

"These are out of warranty..." LMAO!!! I have a lot of things out of warranty!

[@TheGreatAtario]

Going to the trouble to make a whole irregular pocket for the latch to be recessed into is, uh… way more work than I would have signed up for

[@Cruiserfrank]

I can't WAIT to see Adam put this to use!

[@dakavanagh]

I like the woodworking. I always tell myself I'll start making more custom fixtures and such for my tools. When I saw the side panels swing back (and almost drop the rig on the floor), I thought about some way to limit their travel. Perhaps a strip behind the hinge would be nicer than a strap. I've also considered using a camera and screen to magnify things on my workbench. I ended up with a LED illuminated Luxo magnifier. Very nice piece. I do see one clear advantage of the set up you've done. One doesn't have to be lined up with the magnifier to see things. The screen has a wider viewing angle.

[@wolfe1970]

Dont forget to oil the brass bushes before they wear out

[@gpraceman]

I would think that a triocular microscope would be easier for use with the lathe. It is hard to work on small things via a monitor. Much easier to coordinate your hand movements when viewing through an optical microscope. The triocular port would then be used for that C mount camera. I recently got one of these microscopes for watchmaking and it is so much better than the digital microscope that I was using.

[@kb9liq]

Got a link for that one? Did not see any link from the one Adam used

[@gpraceman]

@@kb9liq I was thinking of the Amscope SM model microscopes (trinocular and simul-focal) or equivalent from Eakins or others. You can get the SM microscope head on different stands and with different lens options. The stand should allow for tilting the microscope head as needed. I don't have a lathe yet, but I use an Eakins equivalent to the Amscope SM-4TP for watchmaking with a 0.5X Barlow lens, 10X eyepieces, a C mount digital camera, C mount camera adapter to mount the camera to the microscope (0.35X or 0.5X depending on the size of the camera's image sensor).

[@TheScratcherStudios]

Adam building fancy boxes. classic!

[@daveweston5158]

A suggestion, if I may; Please consider some sort of door stop (perhaps a small chain, or string) to prevent the doors from opening beyond the back of the box proper... This way, you mitigate the possibility of having the entire setup fall backwards when setup at the edge of a bench...

[@bentationfunkiloglio]

I have an ancient arbor that I use to cut and polish opals. Remarkably similar layout. Might steal a bit of inspiration from this video.

[@zacromeo638]

Christmas come early!

[@ethangrubbs1032]

These are my favorite type of content you put out. One day builds!!

[@toddwelsh8353]

The Safety Dad in me flinches each time he steps over that red power cord

[@apollolux]

Might want to consider adding retractable (on hinges?) door stops to prevent the doors from swinging back inwards involuntarily while you're working.

[@Thefutureofspace]

Thank you

[@rodanvsandrew]

Love this Adam - the idea of sectioning off the tool's workspace from the rest of the workshop that way is excellent. I can think of a few of my own tools and processes that could benefit from this.

[@keithbuck99]

Love the description of the Mk1* ocular observation devices being out of warrenty!

[@brentdhedrick]

I saw what you did at 2:43, and I commend you on it! Let’s just go ahead and nail the width down with zero doubts.

[@RetroComputingwithMike]

The microscope have a meny where you can mirror the image in case you want to move it up-side down as you did in the begining :-) I have the excact same model in my electronics workshop and im very happy with it 🙂

[@neilperry2224]

I think if you stood the collets upright in the corner of the door that way it gives you more space for the crates was storage. Just. a suggestion, but also means you're directly looking within your eye line with out looking downwards.

[@nafnist]

I love things for holding things

[@EposVox]

FWIW you can flip the image in the monitor so you don't have to tweak the camera so awkwardly

[@luk318]

Every country has some national treasures, and US has Adam Savage. I'm jealous :(

[@manytrickpony695]

Those mini milk crates.... very cool.

[@tested]

Adam LOVES those.

[@CaleMessner]

3d printed

[@PatrickHoodDaniel]

16:55 I saw that coming! Haha. I need that microscope for smd soldering!

[@hansbuls6109]

Mr. Plywood did it again! 🤣

[@rustedwrenchrestorationwor9779]

I have a similar setup with a cheap digital microscope on a Harbor Freight mini-lathe. the biggest drawback for me with that digital scope is the lack of depth perception. The flip side of that is trying to put a binocular microscope over the lathe is not really practical. most of the time the digital scope works fine as long as I pay attention to where my tooling is. If not, it's time to break out the trusty opti-visor! My eyes recently went out of warranty as well ~grumble, grumble~. I love your setup, and how it is all self contained. It wouldn't work for me as in the opened position it takes up way too much real-estate. Keep building! It's so inspiring to basement makers like me.

[@heaven-is-real]

This is cool stuff. I want him to make his own gears for a clock out of brass. Maybe even a copy of the Antikythera mechanism. Gears for the The animatronix of a singing bird. This is like watching a mad scientist.

[@jakubmakalowski6428]

Love the mini milk crates.

[@phild8238]

I recently lost my father. You and your videos remind me of him. I just want to thank you for making me feel like I’m spending time with him.

[@dakavanagh]

I've seen this in the background of so many other videos!

[@unifytechuk]

I purchased one of the same microscopes as an inspection and soldering camera that arrived yesterday

[@markmcgookin]

Remember in Toy Story II when the old guy comes to “restore” Woody. He had a case just like this!

[@tendrel_sound]

Great stuff, Adam. I especially love the recessed latch

[@MattChandlersc]

you should mount the microscope on one of the adjustable arms you have you led lights on. you built them several years ago for lights and camera

[@5chr4pn3ll]

I would probably have added a hole to access the back of that power supply. Looks really neat tho.

[@SiCrewe]

Very entertaining. Looking forward to seeing the V2.0 build.

[@dushandivjak9196]

You are now officially qualified to work for BMW. Overengineering is their “thing” 😊

[@StewartPaton]

I do enjoy watching these kinds of videos. Reducing a thing (or set of things) to its function and managing it as "a kit" so that the thing can be brought out and used when required and packed away when its not, holistically, is a great organisation tool. I need to think and set up more that way. As I look at my desk and see a box of Dremel sanding drums, a Chromecast, a downlight and some cologne(?), all for different jobs. *sigh*

[@jasonperry6046]

........ I think I could watch you make boxes all day long.

[@jaysabicer201]

You may wish to invest in a sacraficial lens guard, made out of acetate/mylar/clear acrylic. Flinging tiny sharp pieces of metal could ruin the glass lens, an expensive proposition.

[@SpicyFPV]

I just love how he almost dumped the entire workstation on the ground, or almost tripped over his power cord, or lost a little screw, etc. I am sure there are plenty of meticulous people out there that just somehow always keep their station perfectly clean or just have their processes perfected, but guessing most people just have their stuff all over the place in the middle of a build!

[@shadowscion]

Running theme in his shop videos. Like every time he touches any machining tool it wobbles like he's about to be crushed on any random day. There was a video a while ago where he did some shop organizing and in the end the tally was just clearing accumulation from one area and moving it to another.

[@DulceN]

This is a great project for my mini lathe. Thank you!

[@KeirMurphy]

Loved it Adam. Please do show us more as you iterate & hopefully can see the lathe used in anger soon!

[@whperreault]

Gluebot is the best!

[@jettbrains]

"My eyes are out of warranty..." Truth be told Adam. So are our ears. (You have hearing aid, so do I.)

[@nathkrupa3463]

Great video sir

[@62-66]

Adam you did a great job, great workstation ❤

[@patrickhennessy510]

Looks great! Adam, you should check out Norm Abraham's New Yankee workshop. The episode where he builds his version of the Studley tool chest.

[@eliprice138]

I love it when watching you work , sometimes you some of the best measuring devices to get the most accurate measurements. And then sometimes you just wing it ! And you use both methods hand in hand ! I appreciate that ! 😊

[@redsledjed]

Lathes are my favorite machine when it comes to woodworking. When I was in my wood shop class in 9th grade I loved the lathe so much (and sanding) that I took woodshop class again in high school and would take duscarded scrap wood and made some wands reminiscent of the Elder Wand from HP. On the other hand, I've used a metal lathe only once and that was at a neighbor's house when I made a very rudimentary-looking 2-handed welded cleaver. What I am curious about is why all lathes I have seen are always horizontal in nature and not vertical like a drill press (or what I assume would be safer by having the powered side be on the top.) I would venture to guess that it is due to either convenience or perhaps it is designed that way so that if whatever material is on the lathe breaks or is not fastened properly it's momentum/inertia doesn't launch shrapnel towards you. (I'm assuming the pieces would likely launch in a cone shape with the point is the end with power and the spreading away from itself.

[@Beamer1969]

It's hard to tell if Adam is doing a good job and figure out what the goal is at the same time

[@waterbitten]

Truly.

[@helvettefaensatan]

I love how Adam's impatience keeps him incredibly no-nonsense with his approaches. If all he needs is plywood, glue, and a nail gun - then that's what we'll use. It's very zen, and something to strive for. If somebody in the team reads this late and unpaid comment, I wonder if he's ever considered using appliance connectors (like C13 or C15) to de-clutter cable situations. Edit: you can redact my user name, it's offensive in my language too.

[@adamdf71]

Some stays would be an advantage on the doors.

[@JacquesDeLeon]

Adam "Never have your fingers in line with the Brad nailer" Savage.

[@zachmoyer1849]

i wanna see the clip of you getting that from the floor to the workbench lol

[@Igodostuff]

Adam: "It is that?! Oh, it is that, GREAT!!" Yes the thing you designed, built and put together is that thing you meant to design and build. lol

[@jettbrains]

This might be slightly over engineered watch maker lathe station... and I love it.

[@simonboucher7152]

I surprisingly have a project specifically for a jeweller's lathe : I have a ring, made of steel, that I need to be enlarged. THe usual tool (a jeweller's cone) don't work because since they are made of steel also, working against my steel ring would damage the tool (it works fairly well against silver and gold since they are softer) So I would probably use the lathe do shave some from my ring. (I am open to other ideas I honestly can't wear it because it's just that much too small)

[@danielrichardson3613]

Part 2 -DRO?

[@CarboniteDreamer]

Today on Tested Adam builds his working prototype of the T-800. lol. he's almost there.

[@woodyplatapus]

I feel Adam is in a perpetual loop of making of things to hold things that make things that make things that hold things

[@0neTwo3]

Maximum sphincter pressure achieved @ 16:58.

[@TreePeople23]

Very cool.

[@Ian4k4]

Microscope! Excellent idea. I was looking at the examvision loupe glasses. (adjustable magnification with the shadow free light) Unlike the microscope, they might affect peripheral vision.