BEARINGS -The Secret Life of Components - a series of guides for makers and designers - Episode 8

This is the final episode, I may make another series next winter. More information about the video, other episodes to view and to donate, visit:
www.timhunkin.com/a241_compon...
CHAPTERS
00:00 Start
01:13 Primitive bearings
02:40 Lignum vitae
03:49 Brass bearings
06:12 Lubrication
07:22 Delrin and Tufnol
10:51 Oilite bushes
13:43 Plastic bushes
15:19 Jewelled bushes
17:13 Big End bearings
18:55 Sliding V Rolling
20:49 Ball races
31:55 Roller bearings
36:27 Linear bearings

[@davidshaw3303]

Tim, you have no idea how many young people have been inspired by your programmes. Even the "left field" music gives a clue that something different is coming up! Thank you for taking the time with your models and quirky cartoons to explain in a way that a dumb teenager can understand without a degree in maths and algebra. Watching how you think I can imagine how great engineering feats like York Minster and the Coloseum were build by uneducated men with nothing more than chalk, string, wood and stone and their imagination. Thank you so much! Those programmes along with you are national treasures. So nice to see that even after 40 years other people via KZbin can appreciate your style.

[@markharrisllb]

Tim's overhead camera strap hanging down made me smile, there’s far more important things than thinking: "Is my strap in shot?". Thank you Tim for being here and being who you are. I know this was intended as a series of 8 but please make more as I’m sure there’s many more components. You Sir are a legend.

[@cannaroe1213]

At some point it becomes tough to make a 40-minute episode on just conduit or something, but man has he already taught me so much I really would be sad to see him stop

[@mrvelleful]

@@LazloNQ 😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄

[@sumfunnow7800]

@@cannaroe1213 you

[@cannaroe1213]

@@sumfunnow7800 no you

[@mikeyjohnson5888]

When I was teenager, I used to deliver pizzas to the local Timken plant all the time. It was always a treat when they let me come in through the docks because I got to see the large machines make an assortment of bearings and they had a bearing showroom showing all the cutaways etc. Thank you for shining a little light on something that would otherwise sit in the dark in my mind.

[@sheldondavy9079]

I have never heard about this guy nor I have I ever watched his series in my country but I'm happy I've discovered his channel. He's such a remarkable extremely humble person and passionate about his inventions. A true naturalist of an Engineer. Greetings from Jamaica.

[@zargonsirius3451]

You should check out his "Secret Life of Machines" series. Some, if not all, are on KZbin.

[@sheldondavy9079]

@@zargonsirius3451 ok thanks bro will do

[@jayster.k.wiseguy]

funny the original take five is in 5/4 time, the Ska version is in reggae 4/4 time~

[@sheldondavy9079]

@@jayster.k.wiseguy don't understand bro explain.

[@curmudgeon1933]

@@sheldondavy9079 . Music for the original "Secret Life of Machines" TV show used a reggae version of a Dave Brubeck jazz standard called 'Take Five' . Here is one of the episodes. Maybe it's the Jamaican association. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZi6mWBredich68

[@andromedaturnbull3512]

Thank you for bearing with us, Tim - you remain a national treasure and one of my personal heroes.

[@karlnorgaard9447]

We love you Mr Hunkin. Whenever I heard that theme music as a kid, take five I think, I got so excited. So happy to see the old episodes remastered on YT. You remind me of my father, Neil. He's 85 now, the son of a trapper turned poor farmer. My father, a mechanic, has an engineering mind, and taught me a lot about materials. I now consider myself a bit of an amateur materials scientist. In fact, I've taken two aptitude tests in my life and both times the result came back "metalurgist". I wish your old shows were curriculum for all students. We live in a time of such mechanical ignorance. Plus, your teaching style is effective. I try to use your approach when I teach others...starting with the problem as it was presented to the earliest individuals to work on it. Thank you Mr Hunkin.

[@neilfurby555]

Wonderful to read the comments about Tim, so much genuine admiration and appreciation. I don’t think anyone appearing on utube attracts such well deserved praise. Deservedly so, a long history of masterpieces ever since the brilliantly creative Secret Lives series with the much missed Rex.

[@StubbyPhillips]

I could listen to him talk about nearly anything though. Just such a lovely chap...

[@inchworm9311]

Hey you're a lovely chap yourself

[@levonlanderos489]

@@inchworm9311 44444444444444444444444444

[@jesseshelton8853]

As the watch of the world keeps turning, you my good sir are one of the gems that keep us in time.

[@thedevilinthecircuit1414]

"Ooh, that's an interesting problem!" Mr. Hunkin, that statement captures *the* reason why I spend so much time in my own shop. If heroin makes a person feel the way I do when I solve a particularly vexing problem, I totally understand why it's so addictive. Hurry back, sir! This series has been GOLD.

[@mechantics]

I'm not sure if you realized it when you made the statement, but I can unfortunately attest to the validity of the comparison. To expound upon what is a seemingly odd correlation, assuming that you are truly unfamiliar and not merely ashamed of past decisions (understandable; it's taken me quite a while to accept the fact that my past; good, bad, and ugly, is what has brought me to where I am today, a place I wouldn't trade for anything), one might say that, while the satisfaction derived from a fix evokes the same gratification regardless of what problem it rectifies, the variable lies in the durability of the said fix. In short, a shot of an opiate is more akin to "mechanic in a can"; there's an undeniable satisfaction following the additive taking effect, but the lack of security given the knowledge of the fact that the underlying problem still exists, it is still broken. The rewards of truly repairing the underlying problem cannot be achieved in any other way. ✌️

[@attovishnu]

I remember tasking myself to repairing an old Dempster windmill from 1886. It was a miracle that any of the oiled white oak or Black locust wood bearings (bushings) were intact after 100 years of service. The harder the wood the better. Those were the days when things were built without any notion or implementation of the coming horror of planned obsolescence. The wind device which I repaired still to this day functions well. I surely hope it lasts for another 100 years. Let me let you that 100 year old over oiled bushings turn into sinuous rancid slogs that create unbalanced and eccentric wedges, these wedges are the destroyers of cast iron once the load shifts.

[@jonnection]

Damn. Yet again, the sincerity of this humble gift from Mr Hunkins has me wondering why our world has so little of this attitude and so much of the other. Maybe the rarity is why it is so precious. Thank you again, the video is much appreciated.

[@jonnection]

@MichaelKingsfordGray I love you too buddy! Have a great weekend.

[@distalradius8146]

This gentleman is an absolute gem of a human being. Glad I found this.

[@donvito1973]

Just as Secret Life of Machines was essential viewing when I was at school, This series is essential viewing for todays young (and old) engineers. Many thanks Tim.

[@mikelastname]

Tim is like the mechanically minded father I never had to show me the ropes.

[@borisj4054]

Thank god we can get these programmes online because depending on TV to show them is desperately poor alternative. I was Lucky to see the very few I did when a kid. Could have done with a lot more.

[@joejoejoejoejoejoe4391]

I LOVED " the secret life of ", it was what I call dirty science ( mother called him dirty fingernails man ) - he'll do mad things like bash off an oil filter of a running engine to show how much oil is flowing through it, or make a fax machine out of two lathes. A very direct way of demonstrating stuff.

[@FalconFour]

If anything like Secret Life of Machines were essential viewing in US schools, maybe we'd be a lot better off than we are ;)

[@jason00121]

I was always disappointed there weren’t more episodes of secret life of machines. It is good to see these.

[@squirrelpower1666]

Mister Hunkin, you are truly a rare angel on this planet.

[@minbannister3625]

I started off as a school boy reading "The rudiments of wisdom" and now I am a little bald old man in a shed full of machine tools. It could happen to you!

[@kimspence-jones4765]

Likewise

[@paulp96275]

Your only as old as the tool you find in the bottom of that box that you never seen in years ,when you wake up on a morning you’ve made it After major surgery a friend asked me how I was and my reply is always I woke with a pulse but I can’t remember her name stay safe 👍👨🏻‍🏭🇬🇧

[@tonybarker4725]

It did, and keep looking after Henry Crun. From Tony Barker

[@melm4251]

I grew up watching a tape of Secret Life of Machines and i'm delighted to recently find Tim still making videos!

[@n7565j]

I live in western NC and we have a Timpkin bearing plant in Iron Station NC. Amazing place!!! I never realized how security would be so tight in a bearing plant... But, without those bearings, the wheels that drive the economies of the world would come to a screeching halt!!! Wish I had known about your store when my family & I visited London in 2017!!! Would DEFINETLY have made your museum #1 on my list of places to visit!!! Take care sir, and thank you for the video :-)

[@grahamwilson8843]

What a wealth of knowlege and wisdom. As someone trying to learn as much as I can about machines this is like gold!

[@MattyEngland]

Yeah, he reminds me of Fred Dibnah in a lot of ways. Fred building his steam rollers in his crazy garage, and Tim building his completely individual machines in a similar eccentric fashion.

[@danielvickery3311]

You are just the best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Your stuff should be required in so many school classes.

[@PROSTREETPREACH66]

this gentleman is a pure pleasure for this old machinist to watch and remember some of the bearing and friction applications i use to ponder while building metal stamping dies!! thank you good sir!! well done!!!

[@daveyr5462]

Lignum vitae was used as the bearings of John Harrison's marine chronometer and the other LV clocks that he made don't need any oil as the wood itself is self-oiling and winter-resistant too

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Hi Tim. Always enjoy your video's! The reason those shell bearings hardly wear is due to a thing called the "hydrodynamic wedge." Here's a little trivia you can catch your "car friends" on: How does the camshaft lobes in a GM small block get lubricated? Well, when the crankshaft journal approaches 12 "O" clock, those holes you see in the crankshaft that provide the hydrodynamic wedge squirt oil through a slight taper between the connecting rods up to the cam. Take care!

[@NachosElectric]

Mr Carlson and Tim Hunkin, my two favorite tinkerers! Tim's videos from the early 90s were one of the things that led me into my current career in electronics, and Mr Carlson's videos keep me informed and entertained today!

[@emanuelmifsud6754]

@@NachosElectric Yes I agree. As a metalwork ,woodwork electronics teacher here in Australia, I can say both these men are to be highly commended. Their videos are fasinting. Although I do beg to defer at some safety aspects on Tim's videos. Teachimg enstills safety as paramount to getting the job done. In all the time teaching for 30 years I never had a child injured themselves. Mr Carlson's video highly stresses safety, I canot pick a single fault. which gose to show his professionalism.

[@juansimon5802]

small block chevy the cam gets oil first then the crank is supplied with oil. those holes are where the pressurized oil is fed from and then pushed out the side of the bearing from hydrodynamic pressure. the cam lobes themselves are splash lubricated from the lifters and cam bearings are lubed the same way the crank is.

[@ronniepirtlejr2606]

How did I not discover Tim until 2021 when I'm 51 years old ? I guess they don't let you see what they don't want you to see? You are a treasure Tim!

[@ExtantFrodo2]

In spite of myself being totally familiar with every type of bearing you mentioned, I found your video very entertaining and worth while. Next stop - AIR BEARINGS

[@crcdistribution878]

I've heard of air seals, but not bearings. Interesting!

[@herzogsbuick]

Tim!!! I just found this and can't believe it! Until I scrolled down and saw your name, just with the intro I thought, "Well this guy better not stuff it, he's stealing from Secret Life of Machines" -- turns out it's you! You have such a unique mind, that you are doing more work warms my heart. Thank you, and be well. - Jay in Alaska

[@AaronR-C]

Tim! Thank you so much again for sharing your lifetime of knowledge! As an American I never knew about your TV series. Now because of your KZbin content I've been able to finally discover those as well! Just FANTASTIC.

[@MrAsBBB]

That’s a silicon graphics 3D model. Great comment BTW.

[@s3vR3x]

As an American, I did discover him as a child thanks to Discovery channel. I used to record every episode and watch each one half a dozen times. it was a treat. Sad what has become of discovery channel

[@Scottishboy-gg8bc]

I just loved watching "The Secret Life of Machines" way back then being a time served fitter turner with an interest in anything mechanical. I first heard about Lignum Vitae stern tube bearings during my shipyard apprenticeship but never actually saw one. A TV program not to be missed. Now a retired 65yo (and still got my Meccano set). Going to watch your other videos. Thanks for great TV & KZbin shows.

[@marrrtin]

Tim Hunkin's weekly cartoon in the Observer rocked my 8-yo world. He's a foremost historian of machines. SLo Components series is great, but frankly, I'd watch whatever he thought was good.

[@Pants4096]

I was just about to say, "I can't bear it! I need another episode of SLoC!"

[@abitoftheuniverse2852]

Now I know what people mean when they go around saying "Bearing that in mind, ..."

[@goodun2974]

@@abitoftheuniverse2852 , my wife tells me I've lost my bearings, but nonetheless I somehow managed to find my way to here!

[@Murphys2ndLaw]

Fond memories of watching you and Rex as a kid with my grandpa! Keep it up Tim… can’t wait to show my daughter the wonderful things she can build!

[@SB-vb8ch]

Really good series - would like to clarify that plain shell type bearings used in most engines are pressure fed rather than being immersed in oil, the crankshaft is well above the oil & the sump is just a conveniently located receptacle to catch & hold the oil for the pump to pickup from. Some very basic engines do have a "catcher" on the big end which does dip into the oil on every rotation which forces oil into the bearing surface. In either case the oil provides a barrier between the crank & bearing (hydrodynamic wedge) so no metal to metal contact occurs.

[@professornuke7562]

Dear Mr. Hunkin, I first heard of you when SBS28 here in Melbourne Australia first ran your series " The Secret Life of Machines" back in 1995, when I was running between my house and where my long passed first wife was undergoing her last illness. You saw me through it in ways I am sure you never intended, but I managed to get copies later in life, and I love the things you make, and your attitude to....well....stuff. Making. Yes. Bringing your inner truth to the world by building, writing, thinking, communicating, and of course, learning. Thanks for everything, you dear man. I am glad to see that you are STILL AT IT. I am happy.

[@springwoodcottage4248]

Fabulously interesting, informative & motivating. The construction of the bearings on the first nuclear submarine being from Lignum vitae amazed me. I would never have guessed that, expecting they would be made from metal rather than wood. Thank you for sharing!

[@BobSmith-vv5ic]

My childhood hero. Thank you Tim. And rest in peace Rex

[@edwardfletcher7790]

Thank you so much for making this series Tim ! As an entertaining reference it'll be as immortal as your first TV show ! Now I know a Nuclear Submarine had wooden propeller shaft bearings, I'm going to be unstoppable at Pub Trivia night ! lol

[@Chainsaw-ASMR]

Tim reminds me of James May when he's not doing cars. These videos are so much fun to watch, thanks!

[@ultimatehandyman]

Loved watching this video 👍 I used to be a maintenance engineer in a chemical plant, we had thousands of bearings on site in various sizes. The Sprag clutch bearings always amazed me, we only had these on one machine on site, but they were quite large and probably expensive. I used to change bearings on a daily basis, some of which were £150 each! I had not heard of you until someone posted a link to one of your videos in my forum, since then I have binge watched several of your videos 👍

[@MattyEngland]

Some of the best content on KZbin, other than yours obviously 😂

[@cendrizzi]

I'm from across the pond in the US. This man is the most British person in all the best ways. From his wit to his casually good natured approach to these subjects. I have viewed a couple of his old videos and wish we could have had these over here. He's like a better, "more proper" version of Bill Nye (when he was more focused on simple education). I hope to visit that arcade at some point and bring my kids to be inspired by his wonderful creations). Thanks for all these videos.

[@jagboy69]

Just had an issue tonight with the bearings in a Vidmar cabinet! I have no clue what these got lubed with, but they were frozen solid. I tried, acetone, alcohol and even MEK! Nothing would break up the hard whatever that stuff was. FINALLY, the holy grail turned out to be Goo-gone! Now my drawers work a treat and I got a heck of a good deal on a $2000 stack of drawers!

[@alakani]

It must have been some kind of dried up petroleum based grease, goo gone is pretty much parrafin wax and naphtha

[@jagboy69]

@@alakani I even tried 100low lead airplane fuel and it wouldnt touch it. 😱 Only thing I didnt try was heat. The gunk probably would have solidified just as hard when it cooled.😉

[@michaelwhinnery164]

This man is a national treasure.

[@MattyEngland]

Up there with Fred Dibnah for sure.

[@techtinkerin]

I waited 30 years for these shows, in all honesty I think they're as good if not better than secret life of machines. Absolutely brilliant 🙂

[@itsmebernie]

I want to say “I am your biggest fan” but we must all be- I am SO happy to find you again, here on KZbin!! Now I have a new list of shows I can play over and over again!!

[@welkinator]

I most enjoyed hearing you use such precise and fascinating nomenclature for your tools and "bits".

[@CarlDidur]

Thank you again and again! Sitting in my small workshop in Canada where I fix vintage audio (mostly tape) equipment. 41 yrs old and happy! Probably wouldn't be here without your inspiration! Made a ride-along electric wheelbarrow this month! Should have watched this FIRST. Always more to learn and more to do...

[@janzwiebel8518]

Tim, I have just discovered your channel. You are a hero of my childhood and have had significant influence to my choice of becoming an engineer! Thank you for all your splendid contraptions and wonderful tinkering!

[@Thelionatays]

I still watch your original series of videos. It's great just hearing you speak about what you are passionate about. Cheers.

[@WalkerKlondyke]

Someday, could you tell us a bit about the voice actors you use in your films and machines? I love the posh estate agent and the grumbling man.

[@glennschemitsch8341]

It's wonderful to see you again after all these years from secret life of machines!!!!!!!

[@joegee2815]

This is such a great show. This type of stuff should be saved for all time to teach young people how to actually build things. Along with the secret life of machines and many other YT creators.

[@jpop2499]

Just wow! You are back! I absolutely loved "The secret life of machines"! Please continue to put out videos. I am a huge fan. I am a (now retired) engineer and home shop fabricator. I will be watching this entire series over the next few days.

[@joellalashius7304]

You are brilliant, sir! You do an exceptional job explaining everything!

[@dewfall56]

Another awesome video by Mr. Hunkin. I would however, offer a word of caution about the ball bearing bush though. Spinning those things up with compressed air is fun and makes a wonderful sound. But realize that the bearing is being spun far, far faster than it is designed to spin, and without being pressed into anything. If there are any stress cracks or imperfections in the outer race, there is the potential for it to fly apart, and when that happens, those balls (or rollers) will shoot off like bullets.

[@johnrobinson8691]

Just thought I would share with you, loved the series on pbs back in the day!! Being a very technical person I get it very well. Thank you for all you have done, and will yet do. I now have grey hair, but my creativity will never cease. Thank you Mr hunkin !!

[@bcwoods360]

I remember watching his show in the early 90's on the Discovery Channel, nice to see you never stopped doing what you do

[@asusy2772]

The world is rich because of people like You!

[@Marshallj25]

I was always wishing that there was a KZbin video series like the Secret Life of Machines series I saw a kid. Then I found this from the same guy. Jackpot! For a tinkerer like myself it’s like stumbling upon a goldmine.

[@thomasrupp8118]

If you ever come across the rare need to have a bearing which e.g.holds a shaft in position by means of a tight fit, however, you need to turn the shaft a precise amount, you will encounter the problem that most material combinations have a tendency to show signifikant "jumps" between stationary and moving friction resistance. They stick with stationary binding friction until excessive force is applied, then "jump" and continue to move with reduced gliding friction. I found one material combination, which alleviates the problem: Steel (e.g.) for the shaft, and "Ertacetal-plastic" also sold as "Acetron" or "Acetal" for the tight fitting bushing. You will find there is a very smooth transition between stationary and gliding friction. So your shaft/slider/whatever, will not "jump" once you applied enaugh force to get it moving.

[@TheVintageApplianceEmporium]

Please make more episodes Tim! We love receiving your knowledge and you're such a wonderful man. Truly a National Treasure :)

[@mikeb1013]

Tim, not sure if you will ever see this, but as a child in the 70's I used to love watching your 'Secret Life of' programs. Even then I was fascinated by electronics and mechanical things and your programs were truly brilliant for a young kid. Only just discovered you again via this medium and thought I'd say thanks. Glad to see you are still going strong.

[@zpbeats3938]

Drill press is my favorite newly acquired tool, no idea how I lived without it

[@mechaform]

Tim is a delightful presenter. Thrilled that he’s decided to create this new series.

[@joesask857]

good to see you we loved you for years my kid is 33 and she still talks about the things you did thanks man

[@ThePudge1976]

Why Tim has not been a constant fixture on TV baffles and frustrates me. His Secret Life Of..... series was fascinating when I was younger. Now, watching this priceless content here it just makes me wonder why he doesn't have many more TV shows. Informative, fun, fascinating and educational.

[@tinytonymaloney7832]

I love these videos. But I want a long video of a tour of this guys workshop. I want to look inside all the cupboards, drawers and boxes, I bet there's stuff in that place that has been long forgotten. I like that drill set, not seen one like that ever. All you get nowadays is a 1mm to 13mm in 0.5mm stages in a crap tin holder which bends and flexes and after a few months sitting in the back of a van of tools just doesn't open or close anymore. 👍👍👍👍😅

[@bruinflight1]

Been a HUGE fan of yours since the 1990's so it is an absolute pleasure to see you here on YT sir!

[@littlemojo]

An absolute pleasure watching you again and seeing you haven't changed a bit. I can't overstate the influence you and your show had on me in my youth. The new episodes are an unexpected and wonderful gift. Thank you, Tim.

[@Jim-si7wz]

Thank you Tim and they say the elders are finished when they reach a certain age, you prove them wrong, by passing on the knowledge easier than most professors. very educational you will always bring a smile to my face, our generation rules.

[@deankay4434]

When in school, you only learn what the teacher knows. I taught almost 30 different auto technical classes to folks already employed and earning a living. I never taught the class the same way twice as hard as I tried. I always finished and told myself, day-nabbit, I forgot to cover this or go over that even with a power point presentation. I did find the best classes came when a tech or two asked good questions. It brought the best out of the teacher. You need to be able to explain one concept in three different ways as they all learn differently due to past experience or exposure to one and not the other. Enough! This video should be in high school shop classes, then give time to experiment with each. He did not cover a Torrington bearing, but I still had to watch is all. Great job! I would love to live next door. I would be knocking on your door everyday! It is not the rule, but today, an automotive tech has to go to a trade school. I never did as the farm, equipment and such fill my interest until I could understand it. I do appoligise to the two brothers who worked in the towns garage. They ran me off as I wore their ears off. I guess a gentle man (R.I.P.) Carl to me into an apprenticeship without me knowing. This man was clear and is...in my book, tops! Automotive certified ASE Master Tech -Retired.

[@satibel]

Something I haven't seen mentioned is ceramic bearings, they are great in a lot of applications where you need low friction, high load, high temperature, no rust, or electrical isolation. Also for very low friction on light loads you can get away with no lubrication.

[@ScrapiT68]

OR Babbit either... okokok a bit outdated but he DID start with wood bearings

[@chuckotto7021]

Thank you so much for your great work! Notice that no one has given you a thumbs down! A rare occurrence these days!

[@MrAsBBB]

Someone will do thumbs down just to be awkward or to be absolute sh*te! You are so right. We would like the world to be better but unfortunately , whether we like it or not , it isn’t. At least you noticed what it should be like. Keep liking the best !!!

[@rickblackwell6435]

A wealth of wisdom for future generations of makers.

[@jackansi]

Please do make another series. I hope you have someone working with you on all these wonderful projects. Get that person in the next series too. :)

[@paddlefaster]

I'm glad this channel came up in my feed. I had no idea there were so many types of bearings

[@StubbyPhillips]

Experience is a wonderful thing to share and Mr. Hunkin's experience is PRICELESS!!

[@clytle374]

Thanks again. As a multicraft maintenance tech I find these amusing to watch.

[@SimonQuigley]

Thanks mate. You're an absolute genius for the way you can explain these things, which some of them I'm sure you've learnt the hard way. I think I know how these things work and I watch these and I'm learning things I'd never thought of. You deserve a Nobel Prize for your work.

[@bonkersscience732]

Hi Tim, it is fantastic to have you back with old and new content. You have been my inspiration for a lifetime of making , inventing and teaching. Thank you. Will (Bonkers Science)

[@nussberger]

Tim is a genuine genius. Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

[@adamw8469]

The world needs more people like Tim. I love the problem solving, material analysis and application, and “crude” but extremely complex mechanisms. Reminds me of how my Dad did things and solved problems.

[@danielalexander3485]

I cannot say how happy I was to find both your earlier episodes and this new series on the internet. I remember, many years ago watching your series on teh US's PBS Network. Now, I've passed along all this info to my grandchildren. You instilled a sense of awe into all things science, way back when. And now, I still feel the same way....hoping you continue to give us many more hours of genuine sincere pleasure in all things. Thank you, Mr. Hunkin.....!!!

[@EzeeLinux]

Big fan from years ago... I just found your channel. Subscribed! Nice to see you in the shop again! :)

[@hullinstruments]

Would love to see you give a tour of your arcades.

[@maj61601]

I would watch a 15 minute video on each machine, starting with the player experience and then turning to a nitty gritty walk through. How cool would that be?!

[@malcolmmoy]

Southwold Pier, a delight as its not your normal pier and art abounds. Southwold is lovely as well.

[@misterbonzoid5623]

Yes: Novelty Automation is brilliant. I love the dry political humour involved in a lot of your arcade game designs. Thanks Tim, for making the world a brighter place throughout my life.

[@andrewfarrow4699]

These videos are such a fabulous legacy. I hope that they will endure for a long time so that they will continue to teach a lot of people these priceless nuggets of Tims hard earned arcane knowledge.

[@km5405]

the bearings in cars the oil is essential to why they last so long - those bearings are sometimes called hydrodynamic bearings, when those rotate the oil is pulled into a thin film that acts as a cushion the parts ride on - so they actually have zero wear when operating properly. most wear on those occurs with grit gettign in them or when they start and stop because starting and stopping there is some boundary friction.

[@s3vR3x]

also on startup and shutdown when oil pressure is lower

[@louisvaught2495]

Hi, plastic/polymer tribologist here (I study the science of friction and wear). Although you mention at the beginning that you're not an expert, pretty much everything you've mentioned here is good information, and very reasonable. There are only a couple things I would add: 1) Bearings can sometimes be temperamental - what works at one speed, at one temperature, for one amount of force, might not work very well for a different amount of speed/force/temperature/etc. 2) Plastic bushings can be wear-free but are a lot more sensitive to the conditions. For makers, though, your advice is usually true. Without careful design, they'll wear pretty quick. 3) It's mentioned that Delrin bushings don't need oil, this isn't always true and might be why some of the things you've made have worn out quickly. Some types of delrin are impregnated with lubricants, like Oilite bushings are, but basic acetyl really should still be lubricated. 3) Lubrication works best when the lubricant can fully coat the surface, which is why big end bearings have oil squirters in them. The demonstration you've shown with the cast iron block is an "under-lubricated" condition - in an ideal design, there should be enough oil there to "float" the block on a thin film. For something that heavy and rough, a thicker grease might need to be used instead. I hope that all helps!

[@bzakie2]

Tim is fantastic.

[@BryanTorok]

I absolutely loved the Secret Life of Machines from decades ago. My favorite was the sewing machine with second being the one about radio and the inventor who used to climb his tower. It is great to see you still making videos.

[@PibrochPonder]

Thanks Tim, I am not an engineer or someone that likes tinkering with machines but I love the videos you are doing. It’s amazing the amount of products I am looking up after watching your videos despite knowing that I’ll never use it 😉

[@bensthingsthoughts]

These videos are wonderful, it is so much fun to watch. Never have I had a 40 min lecture go by so quickly.

[@WhippetOut]

What a brilliant man, and communicator. Makes everything so engaging and easy to understand. Thanks, Tim.

[@johntoe6127]

Another great video from the world's greatest maker.

[@rangita2]

Definitely make another series. You don't even have to plan it. You can just point to things in your shop and talk.

[@paulp96275]

Bloody genius Tim it’s you that’s cost me a fortune in these arcades with my kids but always enjoyable watching their faces 😂👍👨🏻‍🏭

[@jeanmeslier9491]

At 8:34, the block he holds up is used in aircraft, weather balloons, etc. This was the "miracle wood' found at the crashed balloon, aka UFO at Roswell, New Mexico. In the US the brand name is Macarta. In agricultural implements well into the 1970s, at least, oak bearings were used in disc plows. I have heat treated them commercially. The bearing gets the sand grains imbedded in the wood and lasts a long time. A very good video. Thank you.

[@steamsearcher]

38:57 These Bearings are ever so useful on CNC Milling machines and Lathes. Yes they are strong enough. I will be using many Plummer Blocks 3/4" and 2 Sprag clutches on another Locomotive 5 " Gauge. Going uphill is fine but when going down the 25 cc engine would have to speed up and be an uncomfortable ride behind it. So enjoyable again Tim. Lifelong fan I am now 62!!! David and Lily Reading.

[@petcatznz]

I repaired the electronic speed control circuitry of a Matabo bench drill for a friend a while back. Turns out this had a sprag bearing cleverly incorporated into the drill's depth stop mechanism. The sprag bearing was located on the operating handle shaft and one simply rotated it clockwise at the desired depth until a stop was contacted. Subsequent operations of the handle always then terminated at that position. An ingenious and effective solution that worked perfectly. I had no idea this was called a sprag bearing, thank you for enlightening me.

[@baconbots]

I've been waiting for this episode, so happy to see it here

[@DanielSimu]

Thank you once again for a great episode!