Ask Adam Savage: Do I Do Projects at Home?

In this live-stream excerpt, Adam answers questions from Tested members Lee Marsh, Adam Funkhouser and Edward Teamo about working on projects at home, Zoobs and tips on building a survival kit. Thank you for your questions, Lee, Adam and Edward! Join this channel to support Tested and get access to perks like asking Adam questions:
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[@tested]

Thank you for your questions, Lee, Adam and Edward! Join this channel to support Tested and get access to perks like asking Adam questions: kzbin.info/door/iDJtJKMICpb9B1qf7qjEOAjoin

[@othertonywi1son]

I think having a separate space is great. Being able to separate work, hobbies/projects, and relaxing is difficult when all takes place in the same space. Having a commute helps flip that switch in your brain to get into work mode, home mode, or whatever else mode you need.

[@bobd2659]

It does help! Though, at the same time, it's also nice to have a small 'space' at home as well for the 'home based work'. IE, the pot-lid fix from a while ago didn't really need to be done in the shop with the few basic things it needed. A small bench (or folding table) and a little space is great to have for those types of projects. Something easy to move out of the way, and also not something like the dining room table or kitchen counter to work on...

[@samuelswihart4285]

I totally agree! I can do probably 90% of my workout set at home but I choose to have a gym membership so that I have a place to regularly go to. My first semester of college was pretty much all online and I didn't do well AT ALL. Now that I can be on campus I've seen a big increase in my grades.

[@mattlane7888]

Tested - This topic REALLY hit home, literally; I’m renovating our kitchen. I can’t separate from the work, it’s surrounding me. Detached workshop and home space is a must, separation and balance. I find myself working until midnight then starting again at 6. Always appreciate your POV on topics!

[@drayx777]

I've recently started developing my skills as a maker (primarily woodworking but I love tinkering with just about anything), and you've always been one of my major maker inspirations from growing up watching Mythbusters. I know what you mean about the desk, my first workbench was an old hollowcore door we were ripping out in a remodel laid on two sawhorses. Using borrowed tools at first and making a lot of mistakes. I've just recently bought a large storage building and have it on the property now, and am working on making it into my own "cave". Just wanted to say thanks for all the inspiration throughout the years, and I love this video series.

[@NathanEnos2005]

Your point about knowing how to use the tools in your survival kit was exactly what I thought of when the question was brought up. I've thought about that many times. How many people carry a survival kit, or a winter kit in their car, but have never opened it up and tried to use it? I think I'd want to be familiar with my kit before my life depended on it.

[@zoriononline]

I think one of the best things my driver instructor did back in the day, was that he actually opened it up for us, and showed us all of it, so we got a basic understanding of how to use it etc. But yah this that Adam said about matching skillset was one of the best answers I've heard in the way he put it.

[@LIamaLlama554]

Yes. In offshore sailing we make sure we know how to use PFD, VHF radios, life raft, flares, 406MHz EPIRB, etc.

[@arieldahl]

A good example I have seen is about putting fishing line in a survival kit, for use in fishing and/or snares. If you don’t know how to do that, why put it in the kit?

[@el_super_laser]

One of my favorite parts about watching Adam, and even when I’m only listening to it I turn around to see when he does that grin when someone asks him about this question he really really really want to talk about

[@kpupo123]

My husband and I are actually building our shop/house. Out in the mid west here its called a barndimonium.

[@AbandonedMiniatures]

My struggle is having the space for a “shop” in my apartment to grow my craft and channel. With a full time job that’s separate it’s tough to have the time and money to have a separate shop but I also don’t have much space left in the apartment haha.

[@user443]

I'm in love with the Ikea Galant 31.5" x 63" worktable; however, it was discontinued years ago. A few times a year, I'll scour marketplaces and adopt yet another one any chance I get.

[@ravennexusmh]

my sister and her husband have their workshop for their reenactment (viking leather work and such) things at the end of their garden for that reason. they have to leave the house and "go to work" haha. gives them more focus.

[@thegentlemanpirate6844]

Building on the survival kit thing: While it's certainly true that building a kit based on your skillset is important, building a skillset useful in survival is perhaps much more so. Kit contents may run out or break, or you may end up in a survival situation without the kit you have assembled. As such, learning how to survive with what the world gives you as best you can, making some simple tools in the way of our ancient ancestors, may be much more helpful in prolonged survival situations than being dependent on specific things. Yes, say, a Leatherman may help you build shelter. But what if your Leatherman gets lost?

[@TheEvilGuido]

Love that you have one of Ted's hats! You and Ted Woodford are easily my most visited channels. I dont know how or what you could do, but I'd love to see a collaboration!

[@scottmantooth8785]

*being on the far end of the OCD spectrum when i have an idea that i want to work on i need to do it right then or at least plan it out in minute detail often revising it several times while i'm even thinking about it determining what will work and what will not and why...this get's frustrating when the ideas start piling up so quickly that i get overwhelmed by what to prioritize first...my ideas often far exceed my current skill set and tool access and i tend to over build anything i plan for both aesthetic sensibilities and practical utilitarian weathered tactile appreciation...if doing something i want to do it right the first time even if it takes much longer*

[@toshley6192]

Setting up my first shop in my girlfriend's garage. I'm going to be using it to restore and upcycle vintage wood furniture and anything else I can get my hands on. My girlfriend's an artist and is going to paint the pieces with cherry blossoms and vines and those sorts of things. If it weren't for Adam and these videos, I don't think we'd have believed in ourselves enough to try. Thank you for being such an amazing role model, and for sharing your passion for making with us.

[@HariSeldon913]

I was thinking more of whether he does home improvement projects. Not like tiling the bathroom shower, but more like coming up with a crazy way to put the cover on the pool with minimal effort or improving the drainage in the yard.

[@joshmellon390]

I moved a kitchen table into my laundry room years ago.. aaaaaand it turned into a workshop withing a month lol.

[@zsigmondkara]

That coke ad was my favourite as a kid. It's so cool, that you worked on it!

[@nj4x4fever2]

Does the tabletop have the gas port for a Bunsen burner. I can see that being interesting.

[@dugwolfe7192]

Adam. You must be a very patient man. I would rather work from home. Having said that I'm a music producer so it's virtually impossible. I have all the kit but it's all in my bungalow (1 Bed). Not Ideal. Sadly, I have to hire studios right now. Oh! To have my own toy shed (sorry) of my own, like yourself. Loved ya ever since I watched MB all those eons back on UK cable TV. Be well, you 'n' yours. A.T.B, Wolfie: Dig Wolfe, Bristol, UK.

[@77jamess]

I have such little room that I’m using my kitchen work surface. I’m really new to making anything, and I’m currently working on painting a 3D printed Aztec Death Whistle using your build video as a guide. It’s a lot of fun. Cheers!

[@natebell4764]

Aztec Death whistle! I made one out of super sculpey. took me years to get around to painting it. I used that blackest black paint that Anish Kapoor doesn't own the rights to.

[@jakeriff95]

I'm the ecommerce manager for a Toy Company and i sooooo relate to this Adam, lol

[@darrellbarnes6905]

Nice place to sign of the year! Love your work 👍🏼🍻 Daz in Aoz. 👍🏼

[@AndreSB43]

These episodes are always really interesting, and I love to get Adams insights on things. But in the same way that Adam keeps saying that anyone who makes things is a maker, I believe Adam does projects at home but just doesn't call them projects in the same way as his one day builds. For me cooking, baking, or even cleaning up (I live alone...) is a "project" even if it's just a simple one. But I get what he means.

[@juliettaylorswift]

just recently moved into an apartment (also alone) and as i'm optimizing things i keep mentally calling them shop infrastructure...even reorganizing freezer and adding a tray to hold all the ice cubes after they come out of the silicone ice cube mold/tray (but i am planning a build inside there and a better storage tray). Defining that line between task and project is a weird gray area, but at least our choice of term to label doesn't really have an impact.

[@landonashby2029]

Now you know you have to do a video on some of your survival kits.

[@joshgay2385]

An empty surface.... it always a wonderful thing.

[@davydatwood3158]

As a delivery driver, people who use their garages as storage or workshops are the bane of my existence. Only rarely to they park their cars in the driveway (and if they do, it's usually a pair of pickup trucks that makes it hard to reach the door) and instead clog up the road so there's nowhere for me to park to bring them their box! So, Adam, on behalf of your local delivery drivers, thank you for not making their life harder. :)

[@rickmastenbroek5447]

I like to think that Adam once got visited by future Adam and learned himself how to hide his cave not on this earth, timeline or plane of existence, but that its actually located offworld and can only be accessed through some sort of interdimensional/timejump/gateway... Some nights I fall asleep chuckeling about this 😀

[@brentfowler2317]

I've got a shop at home. However it's only about 80 square feet. Any it's a rental house. So my wife and I have talked a few hundred times it seems like. And when we go to buy a house it'll be our first house for either one of us. Anyhow one of the requirements for buying a house. It's a 2 car garage (or bigger). Or a barn, or building of some type. And the 2+ car garage or building will be set up for my shop. Also I work in my woodshop to make a living. So it's important as can be. Lol thanks for another great video.

[@jescowan26]

work / life balance is a weird shaped key to happiness i cant shut the brain off from a problem at work, and i think constantly about any possible solution while in home life... say why are you concerned, and try to focus on "living in the now". having a seperate shop sounds amazing! how many times have you slept in that shop? late nights collaborating with other Makers and just go sleep on the pool table for a few hours

[@scaddc]

The Mythbusters method of assembling a survival/first aid kit: duct tape, lots and lots of duct tape.

[@eccenux]

I guess a surgeon would get a needle and scalpel in a kit, most of us would probably make better use of duct tape for the same thing 😉

[@Gal3tti]

adam could just say "im looking for a bench with these measures, and it should be like this or that" and there would be Hundred if not Thousands of people in the comments that have what he's looking for and they would giving that to him for free, but still he's like all of us, trying to find what he really needs, without using his position of VIP

[@keitheiler8545]

When Adam mentions that he was Zoobs' director of R&D, his body language changes so drastically, I immediately thought, "Oh, man, there's something traumatic there". Then he discusses the negativity, which I wasn't expecting. In the past I've done phone/email tech support and I always enjoyed the problem solving. Then I got moved to an account for NYC's Department of Education and there were no problems that could be solved remotely. Nearly every call ended with sending a technician to the site (it was 90% printer issues). So, I never got the dopamine rush of solving the issue; I lasted two weeks before I realized I had to quit for something more rewarding.

[@Cmoore718]

Adam, I aspire to have a shop like that some day. The joy I’d have with a mill and lathe

[@joshmellon390]

Go to harbor freight my friend.

[@briansavage932]

I love that Adam is wearing a Ted Woodford hat!!

[@Muscleduck]

A good example is probably sutures. They could be useful with deep cuts... Though I have no idea how to stitch human flesh. I'd probably use steri strip or CA glue.

[@PetrolJunkie]

Sometimes you need to compartmentalize parts of your life. Having a shop that isn’t a short walk away gives it enough separation to give it its own mental space. For some of us that is very important.

[@warlockcommandcenter]

I’m not the maker that you are, but as I get older I find I don’t want to leave the house. So my garage is my shop. We live in the countryside 18 miles from the big city and stay home 3-4 Days in a row. Without shopping, but Amazon has become my best friend.

[@djmini2numpty141]

enjoying your various topics, very interesting. Curious, how did you get onto Bundergerg Ginger beer ?? given you're a million miles from Sunny QLD lol Frank from down under (Sydney)

[@skateboardingfish5468]

Noticed & wondered the same! (Bundaberg)

[@iMusicJ0K]

I really like these Ask Adam videos

[@Riley_Mundt]

I love science lab tables. I hope you got one with the old soapstone top, the modern polymer top is nowhere near as durable.

[@csimet]

I doesn't need to be a home vs. separate shop thing. I have shop and laundry rooms in my house basement (we in the NE burbs enjoy having basements). The shop is four times the size of the laundry room, but I still have a nice counter with cabinets and place to sit in my laundry room for crafts and "clean" projects. Having a secondary location to do small stuff is a huge bonus over just having a "dirty" shop and bench to work at. I feel for you large city people who can't have an attached place to work, be it a garage or basement. The price you pay for wanting to live on top of each other I guess. ;)

[@dennisferron8847]

My mind always goes to historical houses where makers lived above their shops. We don't build our cities or our society to support that anymore.

[@FearsomeWarrior]

I find it difficult to change over into shop time. Between work and everything else I just want to relax. Then I work on projects when I’m frustrated enough with lack of progress. I wish so much that I could have projects out and setup to peck away at little by little. The hurdles of setup are a real barrier. Even for small crafts like leatherwork, miniature painting, and small hand tool woodworking. It becomes more an issue of time to dedicate because of work and sleep.

[@itsnothardev]

Not to put too much weight on it, but I grew up in this shop with Adam from the time Tested started to now. It's going to take some time to process when all those hints about finding a new, bigger shop becomes true.

[@JordanHaisley]

When the armory was for sale a few years ago I thought about how great it would be to turn it into a house/micro factory.

[@tylerquarterman8571]

The survival kit question reminded me of the Dr. Zhivago kit mentioned in Adam’s book. Make sure your kit has lipstick and stockings! Lol

[@madArt1981]

Having a shop connected to your house is conducive for multiple interruptions. I have an art studio and a shop. When in either I get called away intensively. I’m not complaining. I’d rather be available then not

[@Jpetersson]

I remember seeing pictures of you sculpting a Dodo in front of your tv!

[@gmailaaaa]

I would absolutely love to be in your workshop even for a day and build something.

[@Chukijay]

Regarding first aid and survival, I’d say that Adam would agree with this but rather than building the kit according to your skill level, increase your skill level by learning first aid, emergency, and survival practices. Learn how to properly use a tourniquet. Get a good tournie so you’re not damaging nerves with a shoe string one day. Learn CPR. Develop situational awareness and inoculate yourself to those sorts of stresses. Etc. then put together a kit that can grow with you.

[@fictionmyth]

A question/bit of advice I would love to get from Adam is his opinion on different lighting setups for working at a desk. I don't know what it is, but I never seem to have either enough light to satisfy my needs or if I do have enough, I can't focus it where I'd like for it to be very easily. I'm just curious what Adam, or anyone in the comments, might recommend I use. Just for something where I'm working on small bits and bobs at a table. I hate things that involve having to see the actual bulb with my eyes. (Like I want to be able to shade my eyes while I illuminate my project. I hate bright light more than even a Mogwai does. Though, sadly, I understand its need.) Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

[@daquekenfor6901]

The Mary Katherine Gallagher impersonation begins at 4:41 - Haha, got ya Adam!

[@ricky1022]

has he ever answered about purchasing the unit/workshop from his landlord?

[@steve-xt1zg]

Just watched the coke contraption ad..... genius!

[@johntaylor1947]

I have wanted to do projects in our home but my wife won't allow me to bring a welder in the house and she doesn't like the sound of the air compressor.

[@JBothell_KF0IVQ]

i am getting a new place and cant wait to turn the spare bedroom into a little work shop... dont know how my neighbors will like that though!?! Adam may not like to answer this but he worked with quite a few guns in mythbusters and my impression is that he does not really like them. Has his opinion changed? Do I misunderstand his opinion? I would like to hear what he has to say about them

[@modernvisionscc]

I’ve always been curious if he ever builds furniture like bookcases or shelves for his home?

[@peoplecallmepeechez]

He does. I dont know about bookshelves but he has had one day build videos where he made a table and nightstands for his house

[@jasonbrindamour903]

I was told tampons make a great add on to a first aid kit, they can absorb a lot of liquid.

[@_S0me__0ne]

Totally off topic. I recognized the ginger beer you're drinking. Not a preferred brand, a bit too sweet, but neat to see you drinking a non-traditional brand, and ginger beer at that 🙂

[@rustymustard7798]

The best survival kit is knowledge, it replaces most of your gear, weighs nothing and takes up zero space. The only physical gear you need are the minimum basic tools needed to enact that knowledge. Learn to not need most gear and you'll find all your remaining gear will fit in your pocket.

[@paulneilson6117]

Oh those lab tables are perfect.

[@scoooooter2002]

I paused this to go watch your coca cola commercial. Loved it!

[@GanjaClaus]

I have a workbench in my home at Sanktuary (Fallout4 VR 😁)

[@DS222203]

Your a legend from the uk

He’s a legend everywhere

[@carl4043]

Have you seen Modustrial Maker here on KZbin? He's building a home/shop to die for

[@RichSobocinski]

Funny, I would have guessed that the question was asking if you do HOME projects AT HOME. you know, like updating your kitchen, moving a door, turning a basement into living space, etc.

[@ElroyBeezley]

Look up “10 Cs of Survivability” by Dave Canterbury for pro tips on the basics

[@vibesmom]

I always feel guilt when working on stuff, it’s really hard to separate it out at home.

[@jessecabaniss4070]

I need to know the survival toolkit. Please.

[@MasterCommandCEO]

This is a great Log

[@DecanFrost]

i dont think that was what he asked by projects. but im sure miss savage keeps Adam busy around the house with little handyman projects.

[@ryank9066]

Asbestos table should not drill, sand, scrape on it . Otherwise just as safe as granite top.

[@jasonwebster3714]

Is that ginger beer that you are often drinking I love ginger beer

[@calvingreene90]

Slate table tops are chemical resistant.

[@LIamaLlama554]

I build and test high performance turbine engines, so I quickly outgrew the breakfast nook.

[@mattbaumgart3621]

Adam, be careful drilling or cutting into that black high school lab tabletop. I work as a health and safety guy at a chemical plant and we recently discovered that our lab tops contain asbestos.

[@alexgraf3567]

Can you make a video on “home made” tools in your shop

[@alexgraf3567]

Tools you created.

[@buzzmooney2801]

Re: the Survival kit: I haven't put one together, but I DO mentally design them. However, I have come to realize that if society ever DOES collapse into Mad Max world, I will be the dyde in the long coat, fingerless knit gloves, and WWII leather flight helmet, who drives and old school bus festooned with anemometers, rain guages, and other gadgets, and an insane workshop, inside. Others will get to be Max: I'll be the guy in the MacGyver bus.

[@Vineares]

Off-topic - What case is Adam using on his phone in this video? It looks slick A-F.

[@davidklim1239]

Right?! Also really want to know!

[@donjones4719]

How long is your commute time? You park in a garage. Hey, you could buy a Tesla with FSD and ponder designs during the commute.

[@marvindebot3264]

He rides his big wheel or Segway usually.

[@The_Other_Ghost]

Just january 14th and the last live stream of the year.

[@SeagullWaterPurifier]

Seperate work/ project spaces are best, you get to leave all the work at work. When your on your way home you just think about home. You also then don’t have to worry about fixing stuff for neighbors either, “cause all your gear is at the shop” 😂

[@kaksspl]

My first thought "Isn't the workshop his home?"

[@SolaceEasy]

To build a survival kit it's important to know what you are attempting to survive. Anyone build a kit for covid?

[@toneoneonly]

In general no, really means yes all the time. lol.

[@Maxid1]

You're last video for 2021 is instead one of your ones for 2022.

[@charliem556]

is that a custom Noface X Adam Savage shirt?!?! CAN I HAVE ONE?!

[@tested]

Link to shirt: www.tested-store.com/listing/no-face-white?product=211

[@lukedabbsmusic]

Adam revealing that he did a project without filming and posting it is like finding out your girlfriend is seeing someone on the side.

[@jonathanemerson2436]

my skill set is super glue, not suture kit, lol

[@Sir_Shmoopy]

(coarse versus fine) versus (crude versus extravagance [obviation versus {redacted}]). Dunno what this means. just a thought. [...] Take note of the moments when you're in a bad situation and tell everyone you can how you solved that problem. When someone full pauses and stops to tell you something to relay info to you to solve a personal problem (mechanical or otherwise), person to person [...] fuck... "Stay awhile and listen" -Deckard Cain. Might save you time to focus on the project you really care about. If you really discover something record it on tape that will last forever or laser etched on silicon in a vacuum that will last (if redundantly stored) eternally. But at the end of it all ye just gotta hope someone will know how to read it.

[@misaelquintana7422]

legenda em português ?

[@jamesphillips8679]

Who edits the tested videos?

[@tested]

It depends on the video, but right now it’s either Joey Fameli or Norm Chan. This is just a live stream excerpt, so it is unedited.

[@jamesphillips8679]

The tested team is a great group of people.

[@hortiz305]

Please collab with Nate_from_the_Internet !!!

[@colt5189]

What Adam is saying is that if he parked his cars outside, then people there in San Francisco would steal them because crime is so high there.

[@StolenPw]

Love the shirt lol

[@benabel]

What's the drink he's having?

[@joshhicks7205]

My shop is in our yard. I’m 15 and I am really into 3D printing and trying to make a iron man suit

[@1puppetbike]

You'll outgrow it.

[@joshhicks7205]

We will see

[@joshhicks7205]

Heck Adam savage has one and he is older than me

[@1puppetbike]

@@joshhicks7205 I meant physically numnuts :)

[@joshhicks7205]

@@1puppetbike be more specific next time lol

[@skie6282]

Omg hes drinking Bundaberg soda!

[@tested]

He loves it.

[@craiglawer6427]

Honourly Aussie indeed

[@rossriley2719]

Adam has the body of a 15 year old boy, but the head of an 80 year old man.

[@diegoramos2701]

it's a iPhone 12 Pro Max