Ask Adam Savage: How to Clean Scissors

NOTE: THIS WAS FILMED IN AUGUST, BEFORE SILICON
If Adam's shop was only 10'x10', what essential items would be in it? How does Adam decide which duplicative tools to give away? And what solvents or processes does Adam recommend for cleaning scissors? In this livestream excerpt, Adam answers questions from Tested members Building Stuff Like, Travis B. and TrilogyOutliers, whom we thank for their support! Join this channel to support Tested and get access to perks like asking Adam questions:
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[@timkeller687]

Sometimes I hear youtubers complain about their "small" shops...I have myself a 6'x7' shop and there is not a day were I wish I had more space for better/bigger equipment and being able to make larger projects and storing more materials. But I developed a few workarounds and there are also advantages. Everything's in reach for example. Plus you get a better sense for managing your shop and keeping it tidy. And seeing the photo of Adams old shop was very inspiring to me. That he accomplished so much in this small space shows that it doesn't need a whole warehouse for making.

[@jamesbarisitz4794]

A weekly look at weird ,wild and favorite shop gear and materials would be so popular. Love tool talk episodes.

[@mpwiedemann]

I use clear plastic ketchup squeeze bottles for this. I keep one with acetone and one with alcohol. Very handy around the shop.

[@secretivesquirrel]

I have something quite similar to the acetone dispenser, but it's dollar store. Butyl acetate nail polish remover dispenser - it's basically a small plastic bottle with a shallow cup on a plunger on top - press down and it squirts up a few drops of butyl acetate into the cup, I've never tried inverting it, but it basically works the same way if you squirt it into a chunk of linen or cotton rag. - I've had a bottle for a couple of years and it doesn't seem to dry out... Useful stuff. Of course I also have acetone, ethanol, IPA, and suchlike.

[@spasticmuse4262]

⬆Ditto

[@jhonbus]

I just use old superglue bottles to keep acetone in! You have to unscrew the top, but meh

[@nobody8717]

inverting those puts the feedline into the air, defeating the purpose of the pump, and they're usually not super watertight. used those all the time doing electromech repairs.

[@dertythegrower]

I am a professional trimmer, i use scissors all day for work also all my adult life... literally. Chikamasa scissors, trust me, very good for small clipping of items like bonsai. Then for cleaning, a sponge in a babyfood jar with 91 iso alcohol. Perfectly clean after a day of resiny plants all over it. Cheers ✂

[@dertythegrower]

Either that or SheerPerfection scissors.. both are very close in quality and have a very nice 'buttery smooth' bearing i call it

[@UnionBMXCO]

Righttt “bonsai”

[@3nertia]

@@UnionBMXCO Lol

[@smashyrashy]

Acetone seems better to me having used iso

[@TomOConnor-BlobOpera]

The acetone thing is really interesting, in my workshop I have like a 'rank' of solvents. 1: Water. 2: Isopropyl Alcohol, 2.5: Methyl Alcohol 3: Acetone. 4: Carburetor Cleaner (god knows what's in that.), 5: Gasoline. 6: Buy a new one on Amazon.

[@jublywubly]

At home, I use isopropyl alcohol to clean off the glue from things like self-adhesive Velcro. Surprisingly, silicone spray gets most adhesives off metal or glass, too. At work, we mostly use any old cheap window cleaner to get glue off scissors or glass. It doesn't work on most plastics, though.

[@yodal_]

That old window cleaner probably contains mostly acetone

[@_GntlStone_]

For cleaning scissors I've taken to using the "Nailpolish remover pads" from the dollar store. Rub the pad on both sides of the scissors, then use the scissors to cut the pad. then cut some aluminum foil to slightly hone/shapren/deburr them. Same idea, different implementation.

[@spothra8862]

About twenty years ago I worked in an industrial paint shop for about 6 months. We had an employee that used to pour acetone in his hands and wash his face with it. I often wonder if he is still alive...

[@mikebrowning1624]

That's how faceless Joe lost his legs!

[@Stettafire]

I legit knew someone who used to wash their hands with acetone. IDK what happened to them, they seemed a bit shocked that I wasn't comfortable with their methods 🤣

[@writerpatrick]

It would be like using gasoline to wash with. It's not very toxic but could cause damage over time.

[@danmenes3143]

Despite the powerful odor, acetone is one of the least toxic solvents in the shop. The toxicity is comparable to ethanol. In fact, it is created by the human body in small quantities.

[@spothra8862]

actually I just remembered it was MEK (Methyl ethyl ketone), not acetone that he used to wash his face...

[@howHumam]

Fire. Fire is the answer to everything. Signed, a Pyromaniac.

[@Camera-Guy_ODST]

Flame thrower More like Bubble thrower

[@algummarcosvinicius]

And what about the world Ronald? What would you like to do in the whole world?

[@mbarr691]

Adam, I have complete confidence in you that you can make all your pliers have a spring return. Try a couple, see how it feels. 🙃

[@mbarr691]

Maybe tac a small c channel on either side so you can swap out different tension options.

[@SirValiantIII]

Yes this would make a really great one day build video IMO!

[@_just_looking_thank_you]

I’d forgotten all about that solvent dispenser, but I’d used one 45 years ago. I had a part time job in a display department and would print signs on a manual press. I had to clean the type of ink residue when done. The dispenser was filled with mineral spirits or turpentine-I can’t recall-and it was awesomely handy.

[@gwince]

"One of the things I'd love to do is to build a shop into a Sprinter van.. wouldn't that be fun?" Sounds like a great series with Laura Kampf. :)

[@AtomicSneeze1]

Cant help notice the Bundaburg Ginger Beer lol. My favorite special drink. Not often I see someone else drinking it. Love the videos. Thanks for all the years of entertainment you have given us. Been watching since Mythbusters episode 1.

[@Teh-Stig]

Christmas spiced version is even better 😃

[@annikahstebben4425]

A spray bottle of *cheap* vodka has been my family's go to. We have several allergies in the family that makes a lot of cleaning products suboptimal, so vodka makes for a really good food safe solvent that also sterilizes, has minimal odor, and no residue.

[@BlazeOGlory]

I have a cheap dollar store version of the acetone dispenser (I actually have 1 for acetone and 1 for alcohol) and I love it. I just had to make sure that I correctly labeled them. Acetone can eat some of the things you would use alcohol on

[@brennyn]

I clean crud off blades with nail polish remover. Which is acetone, but it comes in a convenient bottle and smells nice.

[@erisgath7688]

My life was forever changed for the better when I discovered nonstick scissors. I can cut stickers, tape, and double sided tape without any residue. I haven't used them on super intense stuff like industrial self adhesive velcro, but if that adhesive did stick to the scissors, I'm sure it would be easier to clean them than regular scissors.

[@BobOBob]

Regarding acetone can, I like the pump version - reach over with the rag and directly pump a little into it.

[@thesecretlaboratory4192]

My shop is 10x10, my model making fits on a rolling cart, no big builds, but the fun is in determining what I really need!! (and can afford)

[@Lynx7725]

An alternative to acetone for cleaning/ de-sticking stuff is lighter fluid. They also come in little cans with a nozzle that is great for not flashing/ spilling. Just don't do cleaning near open flames or intense heat sources...

[@sevesteen2]

Local dollar store had "TSM Brands Luxury nail polish remover 100% Acetone" in pump dispenser bottles. The pump dispenses into a little bowl on top, perfect for getting a bit of acetone on a rag, and they are refillable.

[@csn583]

Cheap chemistry squeeze bottles that feed from the bottom are nearly as good for acetone. They do tend to drip a couple times unless corked off, but the key is no seals, no moving parts. Only options I've found for dispensing chemicals that wreck seals like acetone and bleach.

[@libertarian1637]

Multiples of tools, if you don’t use them, can be stored or sold; if you have larger shops or even small ones with multiple work areas I prefer having multiples kept with duplicates in different work areas. I like not having to walk across a shop, even a small one, to get the same tool I can just have immediately. With a smaller shop or if you work out of a trailer you have to get efficient and effective with tool use and fit more utility into less space. Working out of a 7.5x16 foot trailer is similar to, though just over, the sq ft of a 10x10 foot shop and you can easily fit everything needed into said space for carpentry, electrical, and or plumbing with even some parts or material storage, or slightly less tooling and still work out of it.

[@Gravalpea]

This actually good to know.

[@jayandry3392]

I use a $2 chemical resistant squeeze bottle for acetone. It has a twist top like mustard. If it goes bad I can do it again twenty plus times before I get to the price Adam paid for his dispenser.😮

[@Mengmoshu]

Yeah, I think the main difference is something that will be influenced by personal preference. What if you get tired of swapping them out? I suspect that anybody who feels they can benefit from a $38 price difference is going to find the cheap option well worth it. That could be materials for 2-3 projects easily with some hobbies. That's why it's so important to share less expensive options. For me, I've reached a point in my life where convenience has a lot of appeal, I'd probably consider $40 trivial in the context of setting up for a hobby. I don't actually need a solvent dispenser for anything I do or plan to do, most of my thoughts are based on what I'll spend on food in an average week.

[@PhilG999]

Oh, how I relate to this! I keep everything from Rubbing/Denatured Alcohol, to Acetone, Toluene, Mineral Spirits, Enamel Reducer, and some I'm sure I forgot. Rubbing alcohol is the BEST thing to take Sharpie marks off almost everything! 😁

[@WiredTurkey316]

About acetone dispensers. You can get one for less than $10 at Sally's Beauty supply for fingernail polish remover. I keep one loaded with acetone, and one full of alcohol for all my cleaning needs.

[@AnnaAnna-uc2ff]

Happiness is a solid. Joy is a liquid.

[@ValhallaIronworks]

Hi Adam, are you aware of the maker "Grace Horne"? She is from Sheffield, England, and makes some of the finest quality scissors on the planet by hand. She is also an absolute encyclopedia of knowledge and an all-around wonderful human being. I feel like you would find her fascinating!

[@dopeshades4134]

To own a 1x2x3 machine block from Adam would be my most favorite tool.

[@caseybertie2762]

Theres a video there for sure!! Adding return springs to all your pliers!!

[@Eztoez]

I have used acetone-free nail polish remover on scissors and it cleans them just as well.

[@bravodelta3083]

A cosmetics acetone dispenser is a lot cheaper and works well enough I find. The more expensive ones are anti-static and safer, but the cheap ones work OK even with aggressive solvents (I've used one with MEK before now).

[@alexsherel3344]

9 min!!! On how to clean scissors?!? Must watch by Adam

[@kylecarmichael5890]

I was an optician for 20+ years. Spending $45 for an acetone dispenser , oh hell no. Stick your cloth or lens tissues in the can and slosh if needed. Never failed me.

[@ZippoX05]

I love how casually he says he loves passing tools on and you know on the other end of that you would be like "yeah, this is my favorite tool in the shop. I know its just a flathead screwdriver with a chip on one corner but it was owned by Adam Savage" Haha.

[@roberthatseillig6947]

Here in Germany, we still use old empty windex bottles for our solvents. What a great country that u are living in...

[@zednott]

if that acetone dispenser is out of your price range, do like i do and get nail polish remover in the pump dispenser. its acetone, with a pump. just like 90 x cheaper.

[@thinebiggest]

At: 0.13...Mad scientist: "had my shop in a 7 by 12. What is that 84 square feet? Yes sure." Hilarious. You rock Adam!

[@JMc.D]

I need sharp scissors at work to cut autoclave sterilisation paper and have a scissors dedicated to that function. I refuse to cut tape with it or anything with adhesive. The guys think I am weird 😂 but it still cuts like the day I got it. They all complain that the other scissors are ‘blunt’ but in reality they are just gummed up.

[@tristanlemarr318]

Adam, look into the ZEP Model B pressurized solvent dispenser, you wont regret it!!!

[@egbluesuede1220]

I always use a pocket knife to open packages and the tape ends on on the blade. Same process. Quick swipe of acetone dispensed like that and it comes right off. Don't even need to sharpen, because the edge isn't dull, it's just gooey.

[@Drew_TheRoadLessTraveled]

Good too see you enjoying an Australian "Bundaberg ginger beer" in a Stubby Mate.

[@ColtonMcAfee]

hey! I have a pair of those Japanese made spring back pliers, I get it, they are nice. Passed on to me by a family friend who worked HVAC for decades.

[@augustonthefly]

A guy I seen who builds dioramas uses one of those flash cans for his dychlorometheane. For bonding plastics instantly.

[@csimet]

I almost feel lucky in that because I live alone, I can dedicate a large chunk of my basement... about 40% or 400'ish sq. ft. I could get away with far less, but the biggest hog by far is my table saw & outfeed table and their need to be parked in the center with plenty of access around (I can handle full sheet goods). More space usually means more junk piles up too! ;)

[@johnchung6900]

Adam can you discuss about ceiling lighting for the workshop.

[@FlyTyer1948]

Acetone is not only useful for cleaning velcro glue, it also dissolves super glue. (Especially important if you accidentally super glue your fingers to a small item.)

[@machinist_matt]

I use IPA for sticky stuff. Paint thinners if it's really bad.

[@danmenes3143]

I just bought that tubing bender last Sunday!

[@waterbitten]

This channel has the opposite of click bait titles, and yet it still gets the views.

[@montanawhite5699]

Adam please read this message. I recently broke my coffee mug, that I had since I was 3. (I’m 27 now). I looked up if you can fix it and found a perfect myth for you to crack. Apparently if you cut a cracked mug in milk, boil it, and let it sit for a few days the mug is fixed. It sounds like total bs to me, but lots of people say it works.

[@8bitwiz_]

You should try a kintsugi repair for something that old and sentimental.

[@baby.ribz.]

Scissor question slayed

[@pennyghostpennyghost7000]

James Baldwin wrote in "The Whole Earth Catalog" in the Seventies about A bread truck workshop he built to teach people about DIY. Great concept.

[@nobody8717]

That acetone dispenser, it's like a soap pump. grab a rag, mash down on it, have more acetone.

[@legoseanland1760]

I built a paint sprayer repair shop in a chevy 3500 van. As far as I know no one has ever offered an on site repair shop. (Re: a shop in a tiny space)

[@cana125dh7322]

I have been a professional painter and carpenter all of my life. When I was young and foolish, I would wash my hands with what ever solvent was near me. The adult me washes my hands with baby oil, mineral oil or Vaseline. Cleans and moisten. Ps: I refuse to use hand sanitizer. The alchohol in it destroys the natural oils in your skin. God Bless Y'all.

[@seanconlin8712]

I have a question about shop infrastructure, with regards to shelving. I have a single car garage, that I want to turn into my shop but also storage. I am considering using some racking shelves that way I can utilize/ maximize my floor space. I can also use some of the short racks as my bench. Can I get your thoughts please.

[@AshGCG]

My "shop" is 4 by 6. OK, so it's not a shop. Merely the holding area for the tools I drag out to use beneath a gazebo in the garden. ha ha. But, the lack of space is often compounded by the fact I refuse to throw any older, working tools away, which then adds to the clutter in my shed. There's always a chance that someone could get some use out of them. Would rather hand them off to someone that needs them than tip 'em in a bin.

[@joshsimpson6856]

I have used acetone to wash my hands/skin, and let me tell you that the ONLY thing I have gotten on my skin that dried it out quicker, and more painfully was jet fuel. Another word of warning about jet fuel is that it smells bad, but no matter how bad it smells or dries your skin out, it tastes much much worse. It almost as good at cleaning as acetone is. Not quite as safe though.

[@081one2]

so good to see the Bundaberg Ginger Beer in his hand all the way from sunny Queensland Australia. I would just love to know where he gets em in San Fran.

[@MorrisonManor]

Dollar Tree has acetone in very similar bottles. I can't have enough of them around the shop with various chemicals (alcohol/lacquer thinner/etc) in them.

[@melmoland988]

Cheap alternative to that kind of acetone dispenser They have those pump ones in the nail polish section at the dollar store

[@Murphy007]

The stool had a perfect cover in the old shop 🎉!

[@BabyMakR]

Request. Do up a map with foamcore how your layout of a 10x10 area would look like.

[@gratefulgirl2079]

6;48 Acetone

[@stepsinpairs]

I'd love to expand my workspace to a 10x10 !

[@jonesy279]

Shout out to the Bundy ginger beer!!

[@jthomp237]

The best way to get the adhesive off of stuff is with the adhesive. Use a piece of Velcro, remove the backing and apply and remove the adhesive onto the residue. Works the champ

[@rick74304]

Alternative to acetone is zippo or ronson lighter fluid. It can also be used to remove price tags safely from cardboard without stains

[@DavidVArt]

I'm a professional illustrator and comic book artist. I'm always in desperate need for any type of drafting tools. As well, paint supplies are always a tough expense for me. I work in all mediums so buying everything from airbrushes to chip brushes to oil paint supplies is a constant fight. Drafting tools especially cost a ridiculous amount. So if anyone from the Tested friends or family or fans starts their culling and has extra drafting tools, I am in desperate need of all things drafting and paint supplies. Thanks and best wishes to all.

[@lilcaesarman]

It would be great to have tool giveaway for fans :)

[@musstakrakish]

If you make a vanshop you should call it The Savage Zoetropes.

[@dimeraider]

Would creating your own tool line for things like pliers be completely out of the question…? If novice craftsman could afford them then count me in.

[@dimeraider]

That acetone dispenser is ingenious. Which tools would have made your live easier early in life if only you had bitten the bullet back then?

[@nathkrupa3463]

Nice information sir.

[@Do_Odles]

Please build a shop into a springer van!

[@timmmychanga]

Thank you!🔥❤️🙏

[@BlueLightSpecial2023]

I'm sure Adam speaks truth based on his personal experience, but the question of the Justrite can being airtight was posed on the listing linked above and the manufacturer stated, "No, this is not airtight." Just FYI.

[@Florkl]

Probably not good to do daily, or even weekly, but I do love the sensation of acetone on my hand when it dries but still feels wet.

[@Stettafire]

A little on your hands probably won't hurt you

[@jonored]

​@@Stettafire Mostly it really aggressively dries your hands out. Fat metabolism can end up producing some of it, so you do have mechanisms to metabolize it, similar-ish to ethanol. It's not a wacky not-seen-in-nature chemical - but you still don't want to drink it or breathe high concentrations of it.

[@EngineerfifeninerO]

So I have a set of kitchen scissors from England. I have mail mine in to get them fixed.

[@dearmash]

On the very off chance anybody reads this, the silicon SJ photos on smug mug are no longer available

[@melmoland988]

Dude I need to do a complete overhaul of my workshop. I don't know how you managed that much floor space whereas I have an 8x12? and I can't find my floor

[@h.Freeman]

I brought that ginger beer because I recognized the bottle in the store ...they should sponser u

[@h.Freeman]

U should send some of the tools to members Who wouldn't want to get tools from Thee Adam Savage

[@jasonvangeuns9062]

In that picture of his work shop that the weapon from Fifth element that Adam made. Zorg something.

[@bluestar.8938]

Thank you : )

[@ErikBongers]

At work I accidentally bought too deep shelves. And we are constantly fighting against putting things behind things.

[@dbstelly]

What Acetone do y’all use? Do you get the 100% Acetone fingernail polish remover or do you buy the can from a hardware store?

[@lifeisgood12341]

Can confirm once you use justrite's stuff you won't want to go back. I got my dad a justrite gas can for Christmas

[@mrfunkyartist4766]

Love your video

[@ytyehyeh]

I just knew that the next thing you'd grab after putting down that acetone dispenser would be the bottle of ginger beer. Hope you never mix them up! ;-)

[@lytaylor1204]

I didn't know acetone does that. I can't wait to go home and clean all of my sticky scissors 😅

[@andhag]

I use IPA and brake cleaner to clean pretty much everything in the shop. From automotive to 3D printer beds.

[@ciraloke]

Spring return pliers mod project?

[@freman]

and here I am trying to cram myself into a 6x6

[@fernandop1]

*I use Baby Oil to clean scissors, is AMAZING way to clean it.*

[@widgren87]

I would love to have the money and space to set up a decent workshop to just pass the time in but sadly that isn't an option as things are. Maybe something for the future...