Ask Adam Savage: Working on R2D2 at ILM

[@tested]

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[@Whateveryouwannacallme]

Is savage builds ever coming back for another season? I absolutely love the shows you’ve been part of. Hopefully you have something lined up. I miss the mythbusters show I grew up watching. The new episodes are awesome but having you and Jamie as hosts was just something you can’t replicate.

[@mikeuk666]

not all robots are happy, Marvin the paranoid android from hitch hikers guide to the galaxy 😂 seen in the later TV series ♥

[@jamesdowrick2712]

Completely unrelated to the topic of this vid, but is that a new mill I see in the background, looks like a very nice, and good condition hunk of iron :)

[@TheRealMythril]

I never knew Adam Savage was a SPY in the REBEL camp. He changed R2D2 from Metric to IMPERIAL!!!!!!!

[@MattWinchell]

Well this is a surprise! Thank you so much for answering my question!

[@The_donbies]

Thanks for the call out, Adam! Equally terrifying was operating it on set, as R2 had to be very close to the opening (the exposed "mechanics" of the ship). I recall they kept asking R2 to be closer and closer, until he was only inches away...Once the foot shot out (and Adam is correct, seeing that thing work in real time was horrifying), I had to spin R2 on a dime so he wouldn't fall through the set... I think we only shot it twice, and R2 and I survived to live another day...

[@MattWinchell]

Poor R2!

[@chuxmix65]

Thanks for your insights, Don!

[@WellingtonIronman]

Love hearing these stories from the set :)

[@DanielGBenesScienceShows]

Don, we appreciate your work as droid unit supervisor, R2 puppeteer, and all of your great cameos! I mean, besides Jeremy Bulloch, you were Boba Fett!

[@thomashverring9484]

Yes, we appreciate all the work that you've done on so many great movies! And that Boba Fett picture, wow!

[@GeekRedux]

"The difference...is significant, yet imperceptible" can apply to so much.

[@mattptodd]

My wife, in 1996, said, "This is the same but different." And it sounds similar. I like how Adam said it.

[@raymitchell9736]

Rewiring R2D2 to avoid any imperial entanglements... Yeah... well that's the trick isn't it... and it's gonna cost you extra!

[@willhamilton297]

.002mm?!

[@matildastanford7019]

✌🤣👍 cool comment 👍👍👍

[@DJ_Force]

Well, technically to ADD Imperial entanglements, but your comment it still awesome!

[@DavidRLentz]

I thought Han's (Harrison Ford) line was "that's the real trick" (Star Wars IV: A New Hope [1977, Twentieth Century Fox, George Lucas John Williams]).

[@raymitchell9736]

@@DavidRLentz yes, I think you're right now that I think about it. Good memory.

[@davidshi451]

2:15 I love how Adam leans in, conspiratorially, to tell us the secret of the box of R2's arms 😂

[@matwashington2784]

Can't believe that I leaned in too 😂

[@constancemiller3753]

And when the doorbell chimes I'm like " Lucasfilm is here!" Nooooooo!

[@traviss3913]

@@constancemiller3753 😆

[@Sajin688]

@@constancemiller3753 " Lucasfilms Joins Chat

[@barlotardy]

I don't know what's more amazing: That Adam worked on R2-D2, or that he's had the same hairline since he was 18!

[@Sheridantank]

I was like "look at that young man there....... wait" I strongly relate with this comment

[@dazednconfused31337]

He mentioned the American 'airline is bigger than the British.

[@mindwarr]

Adam wasn't 18 there...

[@kstringer24]

Except that time on mythbusters when he burnt it off.

[@QS-si3cq]

This is one of the coolest work stories ever. You were literally an R2-D2 mechanic! What a life you've had!

[@matteomatheny5762]

I'm watching this with headphones in my new apartment. I totally thought Adam's doorbell was my doorbell. :D

[@edxr12]

Same!

[@CharlieTheFacehugger]

Cool stories, dog bros

[@asicdathens]

I have near identical door bell and I nearly had a heart attack because I'm using headphones and I wasn't expecting anyone

[@dogoku]

I thought for a second that my doorbell sound changed O_O

[@fredbrooks1386]

I think Adam needs to add a doorbell tone that is shop appropriate. Not the boring run of the mill ding dong! A Star Wars tone, a fog horn, a futuristic bong, something that has personality.

[@GavCritchley]

"Oh let me show you on my R2.." Walks around the corner into another Alladins cave of stuff.

[@jorgefaleromazziotti1174]

And 2 real? Academy awards?

[@majobis]

@@jorgefaleromazziotti1174 right at mark 5:36

[@dwillett]

Every time he talked about “imperial” pneumatic press fittings, I though “as opposed to what, rebel. ?”

[@JasonAguirre]

only 13 minutes old and already an underrated comment.

[@jameshamaker9321]

I'm sure, it references the metric system of measurement. Imperial measurements are metric, as in meters, like one million inches. It's one hundred meters, to an inch. So think about, rulers.

[@jayhom5385]

🤣🤣

[@groofay]

I only use revolutionary press fittings.

[@JasonAguirre]

I guess you'd call another system 'Republic'

[@slugdaluga]

It almost doesn't matter what Adam is discussing, his enthusiasm for his work is so enjoyable. I've only ever had that fleetingly for a few subjects.

[@8thlvlMage]

He's has made a load of money. That probably helps sustain the initial passion that got him there lol.

[@Diamond_Hammer]

An ILM reunion podcast would be cool, with a bunch of people you worked with there sharing stories and reminiscing. :)

[@johannengelhardt5885]

I like how he always looks around carefully, whenever he spills industry secrets.

[@warped_rider]

"I got a little light, kick, here?" *grabs the viewer's neck and twists their head*

[@mbainrot]

Viewer groans as vertibre separate, meanwhile in chubbyemu-vile "A man watches an Adam Savage's Tested video, this is what happened to his neck" 🤣

[@warped_rider]

@@mbainrot "Savage Chiropractic"

[@shanedoyle3167]

Wow! As a Star Wars fan, I know exactly what you are speaking of. You are talking of Ep1, the moment that R2 does the conversion is epic and very well remembered as one of the first times you see that motion in the prequels. Amazing Adam, truly amazing.

[@lordtazzman3140]

I love that droid scene on the starship in Episode One.

[@ZeroRyoko]

@@cap5856 As the queen escapes with Obi Wan and Qui Gon, before they land on tatooine, they run the blockade and R2 fixes the ship.

[@GlennBroadway]

Is it this one? kzbin.info/www/bejne/nZewoIt4hM-KeK8

[@wilmerarnesson3584]

@@GlennBroadway I think so

[@philiphall4805]

@@GlennBroadway thats the one , the spitfire engine sound is cool too

[@davidp2888]

Adam has a way of relating to people that makes me feel at ease.

[@guyforlogos]

I genuinely love how excited Adam seems when talking about this time, especially the drawer of R2D2 arms 😂

[@ENTERtheCREATOR]

Don't think we missed that fresh coat of paint on the MK I back there.

[@davidpearce3156]

New toolbox cutouts in the front right also?

[@Ziz62266]

Probably still editing that video.

[@Glisern]

I'd also add BD-1 to the loved star wars droids list. That one however is only in a game, and would be futuristic to make

[@FlyfishermanMike]

Agreed! I keep meaning to 3D print the little guy.

[@kstringer24]

4:23 Surely R2 would have a rebel hose, not imperial!

[@HyperVectra]

Republic hose

[@kstringer24]

@@HyperVectra True

[@vannygun]

Love the passion you express when telling this story! Sounds like an amazing experience.

[@dazwannawzad9272]

R2 has always been my favorite character in SW, there would be no movies without him. It was a love my mother shared with me, and my memories of us discussing R2 will always be special to me. A great video by a great host about a great character, thank you.

[@insanebehavior2478]

PLEASE talk more about your R2 unit. I always wanted to build one myself one day. Yours looks amazing!!

[@BrianAndrews73]

I totally get what you mean about R2 being a happiness machine. Whenever I see him I know everything is going to be alright. He made that last scene in S2 of Mandalorian so much more bearable. I'm also surprised that they used metric in the UK in the 70s. I was brought up in the 70s / 80s and even then we felt like we were the first generation being taught metric. When doing DIY with Dad he used feet and inches and I always thought it was so clunky especially when our tape measures have both imperial and metric on them. Also yes I too smiled when I realised that R2 has imperial parts in him :D

[@urdnal]

Lol at "keep on truckin' stance"

[@habichiblah7534]

Adam and Jamie have brought me so much joy over the years. Amazing people!!

[@NerdoutShelter]

7:19 When Adam walks into a room and catches himself doing something he shouldn't be doing in the background :}}

[@Stoobers]

hahaha I had to go back and look :D

[@EveryCrazyDay]

Adam savage has basically lived out every maker nerd’s dream... happy he so willing to share stories and post as much video as he does. We don’t deserve it, your the best Adam!

[@Syberz]

"The R2D2 'Keep on truckin' stance". Pure poetry.

[@SleepyBoBos]

Adam can teach makers of all types (i have a background in software development for example) about vision, creative problem solving , patience, being ruthless with time and making it fit for purpose. Something he shows in all his videos is it helps when you have the right tools as well. I'd love to see him talk about the whole collaboration process, separation of work between people and possible how you 'compromise' as a team to achieve a vision.

[@enfieldjohn101]

That moment when R2 goes from two legs to three on screen is a great moment indeed! He will always be my favorite character, so any scene he is in is one of my favorites. I loved how much they were able to make R2D2 do in the prequels. I think that maybe I love the prequels more than some other guys in the 40's and 50's who I know do is because of what an action hero Lucas was able to make R2D2 into. He did what he could in the 70's and 80's, but there were so many limitations back then. Great to learn that this amazing moment for R2 in Episode One was done practically with a cool pneumatic rig rather than CG. Not that CG isn't amazing when you stop to think about how they can turn ones and zeros into believable characters now, but the practical effects are still great because we can see them in person even after the movies are over. Darn that metric to imperial conversion! It will get ya every time. :) I've had that problem too. I used to have a Ford Ranger, for example, that was SAE for the most part, but the serviceable parts of the engine were in metric. I had to go out and buy a metric socket set so that I could properly work on an 'American' truck. :) Peumatics can be so incredibly powerful, so I can see how that R2 prop could have been scary. Getting the pressure just powerful enough to make something move without making that thing deadly when it moves is not easy. Great video here!

[@AndrewBlack343]

Thank you for dropping in the image, it really helps us to understand. I appreciate that there can be copyright issues to doing this but I appreciate you taking the effort to do this.

[@nicklaspersson4687]

R2D2 was so rude and insulting that they had to bleep out every word he ever he ever said.

[@fiveoneecho]

Oh no.... Now I have to go make a "Star Wars: Uncensored" version....

[@lim-dulspaladin50]

200 years of dealing with biologics can you blame him? 😋

[@michaelpettersson4919]

That explains a lot... 😄

[@loenigma69]

And poor Adam had to back pedal after he called R2 a boy because he didn't want to offend the robot gender police. What a trend we live in the midst of! Wonder what the next fleeting social trend will be!

[@jobythewitch5379]

Adam I’d love to hear more about your time working at ILM and what advice you’d give to young makers like myself looking to get into the industry. I’ve been a big fan since the genesis of mythbusters as a young boy and I’ve followed and enjoyed your work ever since!

[@gabesnooks3549]

lmao I heard that doorbell in my brain via headphones, thought it was my front door and my doorbell doesn't even sound like that!

[@MazeFrame]

It is 4:30 in the morning here, doorbell is completely different from the one in the video. Still made me jump.

[@retep8891]

I paused and stood up before I realized it was the video...

[@JesseCohen]

I jumped too, and looked to my left, cause headphones. 5 seconds later remembered I don't actually have a doorbell...

[@revenevan11]

Same with me. I have no idea why that sound totally activated my fight or flight response lol.

[@Berkeloid0]

@@revenevan11 I did the same thing, I panicked thinking oh no who wants to talk to me at 2am, then realised hang on I don't have a doorbell any more. I put it down to being an introvert and hating unexpected social interaction...

[@Mark_Nadams]

I had the same problem with BPST and NPT press fit hose fittings that came from Canada. This monster one of a kind machine arrived from Canada at out shop in NJ with the pneumatic plumbing damaged and they needed me to fix it and make it work as it should even though I had never seen it in operation. Thank God for McMaster-Carr. They had all the parts I needed and I got them in a day. Love Them!!

[@TomsBackyardWorkshop]

Im working on motorizing a jaks pacific 18" r2d2. It doesnt come with a center leg so I had to 3d model one and build the mechanism. When its done it will have all the basic features of the real thing.

[@chrishechtl8330]

I am working on a full scale R2 V2 Baddley build with a Martyman 2-3-2. It is a pain in the rump to sort out but I'm getting there... if I can ever find the time to work on it!

[@141Flyman]

As someone who produces pneumatic fittings, if you want to avoid the imperial vs metric issue (on tubing, threads are another beast) then use 5/32" or 5/16" tubing. They are interchangeable with 4mm and 8mm respectively on almost any push-lock system! 6mm and 1/4" are the imperceptibly different twins that will never interchange.

[@TastyBusiness]

I have never been more envious. R2-D2, finest spaceship mechanic on 2 to 3 legs, and you got to fix that!

[@cpoco]

R2 really is so amazing. I'm currently trying to build my own 3D printer to continue (re)building a 3D printer R2 with the intention of using a laminar flow mist maker to (hopefully) give a nice holographic Leia effect... I can never have too much R2 in my life.

[@concretebuilding]

This whole video is like if Luke Skywalker did a Q&A on repairing Artoo.

[@rumbust7793]

I love how Adam photo-bombs his own video at the end.

[@bobuncle8704]

Adam, your wealth of experience is simply staggering

[@NORKIE]

this gives me super humble feelings. all the hugs for adam.

[@BodomFox]

I've read the title as "Working on RDR2" and was like "what?" Have to get my eyes checked

[@alexwake850]

What fantastic insight, I've always hoped to see R2 regain his flight jet propulsion system. Anyway I was listening to you talk Adam about the problem with Imperial and Metric systems not matching up and I wondered since filming goes on around the world and over here in the UK and Europe, why the movie/TV industry doesn't ever standardized which measuring system would be used, or even if it's standardized on the film production especially something as big as Star Wars to say we're going to be working in Imperial so don't use metric so that even if something is made in the UK it has to be built using metric measurement so it's uniform across the production? I hope that makes sense. An idea for a short video demonstration show and tell the subtle differences between the measuring systems. Love your one day builds and all of your videos, as always thanks for sharing. 📏📐✂️🖊️🖌️✏️🔨⚒️⚙️😁👍

[@vaalrus]

Oooooo…. I need to know: on the non tube end of those press-fits: Metric threads or BSP? I lost a whole day chasing fittings when i learned of the existence of Yet ANother Standard. (I swear, if I get my hands on a time machine, the fastener/coupling/thread inventors are going to get a lot of assassinations or head thumpings.)

[@PhilG999]

Years ago I worked for a Mill and Industrial company here in the US. We were a distributor for British-made Pneumatics. Something as simple as a 4-way valve to operate an air cylinder. Suddenly we started getting complaints that the valves were leaking at the pipe threads. Couldn't figure it out until we found out there had been a run of valves that were mislabled as the US version when in fact they were BRITISH PIPE THREAD! What's the difference? ONE THREAD PER INCH!

[@mf--]

All the head-thumpings from other time-travelers probably resulted in the current situation with many fitting & threading standards.

[@HappyBeezerStudios]

I feel that pain from trying to find #6-32-UNC screws whan all available is M3

[@vaalrus]

@@PhilG999 My introduction to BSP was trying to plumb heating circuits into a Japanese built engine on a German built excavator. Because of *course* it was BSP and not metric.

[@ericpaul4575]

@@vaalrus Please tell me it used JIS screws.

[@limeBlender]

My favourite Canada vs US ‘your system is different than ours’ story was from when I worked at Vancouver Opera oh so long ago. In opera, the production company often orders sets from commercial providers or other opera companies. Sets are sent in large packing crates that are screwed closed. Our Canadian technicians delighted in closing up the crates after the show was struck using Robertson (square head) screws rather than Phillips (cross head) screws, knowing that most US technicians would have to hunt down a #8 to unpack the shipment. A small and and utterly ridiculous cross-border joke, but what a lark!

[@jimjake26]

Such honest enthusiasm.

[@todd_harrison4500]

I remember seeing where some of R2's parts came from when I worked at an aircraft parts company! I think his vent/grill on his front is a burner pipe from a Roll's Royce dart engine!

[@goffyfoot82]

Not just metric but the same thing happened here in the US. I worked in a Authorized Schwinn bike shop from 1978 to 1984. We fixed ANY make of bicycle European or American, Japanese or Twain specials. And it was the gas crunch back then. So we had to know metric and imperial BUT ALSO Schwinn !! Yes up until 1985 - 86 when they stopped making them in the US. They created their own spec for every nut, bolt, spoke thread. Even their rims had to have there size tire that was 1 over from any other replacement tire. They used 26 thread per inch instead of 24 and their tires would slide over any non Schwinn rim. Then vise -versus trying to save a buck buying a cheaper tire.

[@jeremybourne7721]

For me this is a perfect example of Adams working philosophy. Jump in, I know what I'm doing don't worry. A bit of thinking time and an order to an British company would have solved everything. However this is why I love him. He is so honest about his mistakes because he is so talented.

[@ViperChief117]

The scene you are thinking of is from The Phantom Menace. I was a kid when I saw that film. Lol

[@tekvax01]

Thank you Adam for calling Imperial measurements... Imperial, and not Standard, or American, or somesuch other description. There are so many types of measurement systems, Canadian Imperial, American Imperial, Metric, SI, ASA, ISO, DIN, and so many others.

[@MRdeLaat]

seeing something that you have worked on played out in theatres and being watched by the millions must be a pretty giddy feeling

[@slater140778]

Adam, love your channel, love your passion, and love seeing the excited kid leap out of you!!

[@FUBARguy107]

The beginning ad for this video was of Star Wars apparel. Fanny pack, backpack and lots more to make you look like a Storm Trooper. Very cool

[@CJtheThird]

1:45 its from Phantom Menace (Movie 1)

[@astrotoyboy]

you and your doorbell.... just ran to my front door 🤣🤣 loving your videos Adam, one of the best things about this lockdown. Thank you 😍🥰

[@iPig]

The weathering on the ILM R2 looks so good. I'd totally do that if I had one!

[@triiton4443]

Adam you are so kickass! Thank you for inspiring so many young women and men into STEM.

[@ohctascooby2]

Not sure if you thought about this but you helped get R2 in shape for what would become his ‘birth’ into a larger world. That scene is his first establishing him as something special with star wars. From there on he never leaves our hero’s side.

[@dakavanagh]

If there's one thing I learned about pneumatics from working on a FIRST team (and with a fellow mentor who really knew his stuff), you are in full control of how fast a cylinder extends and how fast it contracts. Pressure is not the key, rather valves on the 2 ports that control the rate of air flow in 1 direction. Very cool watching him tune a system and I might be able to do that now (though it would take me longer).

[@daniel_f4050]

That’s been an issue for a very long time. During WWII a lot of P-400s (a P-39 that replaced the 37mm cannon with a 20mm plus other changes required by the RAF) originally intended to go to England were instead sent to USAAF units on Guadalcanal. The Americans could not recharge the oxygen tank on the planes because of the British fittings not matching the American systems. That meant that those planes had to stay below 10,000 feet or the pilot would pass out. Unsurprisingly an unconscious pilot is a bad thing in combat. And the Japanese planes attacking from up to 10,000 feet higher was even worse.

[@nwmancuso]

I love how real these videos are!

[@Rabblewitz]

Enjoyable. For what little it's worth, I'm FAR bigger fan of R2-D2 than BB-8. To me, BB-8 felt more like an attempt to sell toys to kids than a Star Wars character. But I know plenty of people liked BB-8, so ...

[@captainscarlet6758]

How many times have i seen R2D2 do this one thing, and never for a moment until now realised how difficult it is to achieve in reality. Thanks

[@scottb721]

That's Imperial hardware for you !

[@agentblueuk]

Fascinating story, love Adam's enthusiasm

[@Rick_Dunaway]

Next time, use DOT compression fittings with the inserts to covert air line, and throttle the exhaust ports of your air valves to modulate speed of operation

[@bgwconstruction]

Thanks for these stories and answers, Adam. I sincerely enjoy your stories, and alway find myself smiling so big during and particularly after...Best regards, my friend. -Bobby Williams

[@ryanthompson4423]

I’m watching at 4am, and that door chime at the five minute mark FREAKED me out

[@bambur1]

I feel your NPT / BSP pain . I've experienced similar . BSP is not often stocked in the states

[@nelsraven]

That is awesome! Thanks for the story! Learned something very very cool!

[@badazrod]

My "R Unit" uses electric actuators to switch it up from 2 to three legs. I have my own back story since it is not to scale and built from a BBQ... But someday, perhaps, I will post video of it. Adam, You have convinced me that I was wise not to use the pneumatic cylinders. Thanks!

[@Oldtimerider]

Love the “Keep on truckin” reference!

[@LegendsWorkshop]

R2D2 "Keep on truckin'" stance... Laughing out loud, I will never forget that you said this.

[@rendermandan2820]

As a member of the R2 builders club, This is an awesome video!!!!

[@joermnyc]

I’m sure that R2 went back to the UK and they had the same issues you did, only in reverse? “Why won’t my fittings seal properly? Bloody American hoses!”

[@alextirrellRI]

I'm wondering why he didn't just order British hoses and replace those.

[@UltimatePwnageNL]

@@alextirrellRI time?

[@jonathanmartin8716]

Love you man, love your stories 🥰

[@AWFarmer]

There's a 1 minute 45 second window where I just repeat, "He broke R2. He broke R2!" 😂😂😂🤣

[@RainMakr]

How funny, I was working on the editing suite (Avid) in the late 90s and remember visiting the sets at Elstree from memory.

[@PodpadStudios]

Loving the videos Adam. We have droids! Our astromech droids are girls - but they all have a tweak, Zoe has a Battle star Cylon twist, Izzy is steampunk and Emy is an R6. Izzy and Zoe can go from crouch to standing (electronics not hydraulics). We also have a T3 he's called CID and he's a bit of a bad boy. Not sure how they all got their characters - but yes they are all happy machines 😄.

[@elvalvinoskyo3307]

Would be badass if Adam build a fallout suit

[@ohctascooby2]

Dealt with British to non-B fittings before. They do make adapters but i believe you can also make up the diameter difference with a loop of scotch tape around an undersized tube.

[@ohctascooby2]

So when adapting start out with smaller diameter tube and ‘wrap up’ to increase diameter on whichever end is needed.

[@zookulator]

Need to see a build on those bags you have working on R2.

[@wbslnger2004]

Repainting a Mark 1 suit and you have a Mark 3 in the back!!!

[@lorenbacala8000]

I used to work for IMAX Corporation installing and maintaining audio systems. We had one speaker set with a HF driver made in Canada. There was always the fear of being in Texas at 3am 50' up the screen replacing that driver and dropping one of the tiny metric screws that held it in place... I know the feeling Adam.

[@DanP740]

First thing I noticed in that shot of you working on R2 was the impressive toolboxes.

[@guerillagrueplays6301]

That's really cool to learn! Though it does raise the question of: if you WERE to do it yourself, how WOULD you build it? The use of pneumatics seems... I don't know. Sub-optimal? To me, at least by modern standards. It seems like an electric motor and a track system to raise and lower the leg would be more energy and space efficient in general.

[@paulbelfrage]

4:50 Got the same door bell signal. Actually was getting up when I paused the video and realized it was in the video.

[@baldieman64]

If that's an original R2D2 from A New Hope, and it runs, my dad built the gearboxes that control it. The work was outsourced to an engineering company in Birmingham called "Clarke Olsen".

[@greyareaRK1]

The R2 'Keep on Truckin' stance - you'd have to have watched A New Hope in the theatres to understand that time.

[@ragnes18]

yeah, "beautiful boy, happiness machine" Artu always makes me smile.

[@Eric_s_Channel]

It was in Episode One...when Amidala escapes Naboo and went under attack by the Trade Federation starships.. and ended up on Tatooine!

[@scottkuykendall7081]

Umm, is that a Sharp mill I see in the background? I loved that old Bridgeport.

[@Tiki_Media]

In the case of the press-fit air fittings, it’s the classic Imperial hose vs. the Rebel hose.

[@Jabber-ig3iw]

Most enthusiastic person on the planet. It’s infectious.

[@monty4336]

I will forever be a R2-D2 fan above all other droids. 👍