How I started a simple Automotive YouTube channel

been asked a number of questions about how I do my KZbin channel and how I got started.. keep it simple and have fun..

[@ttime893]

Fitzee, you just keep doing what you're doing, the way you're doing it. You've always got great content, and always informative.

[@luismejia4505]

You don’t imagine how much we respect you just for the fact of teaching what you have (thank you very much) mr fix

[@stevewuertz3598]

While I watch a lot of YT videos for restoration, I find your approach reassuring and achievable. I don't have room for lots of equipment so I find your approach helpful and sensible. I'm amazed at the results you achieve without throwing ,000's of $ at tools.

[@DrainMedic]

I watch a lot of youtube my self. I real think its the wave of the future. I totally agree with you about his approach. I bought a cheap used mig welder angle grinder couple hand tools . Fixed my truck cab corner so it would pass inspection.

[@jerzy4151]

Did the same. Cheap welder running .023, beverage grade co2 and a couple o chunks of front fenders to replace 8 inches of rusted quarter panel wheel arch.

[@pennygretch]

On the contrary.....You are VERY entertaining and skillfull.......One of the very best sites on KZbin.......Keep up the great work!

[@joeidaho5938]

Fitzee, what makes you so interesting is your skill at the job, your comfort in front of the camera...and your authenticity in front of the camera...your firmness and confidence. You're just a cool guy to watch, a nice person...and being a Newfoundlander, to boot, always gives you a certain sense of humour, whether you notice it or not...lol.

[@bernonic]

it's the authentic and practical way in which you approach the process - there is so much 'manufactured' content on youtube - keep sharing your skillset Fitzee

[@noneyabidness6655]

Been here since beginning , you actually teach and don't click bait . Yeah , that's important to me . Thanks for all you do !

[@OldJoe212]

The only mistake you made in this video was saying you don't consider yourself entertaining. I always get a couple good laughs from every one of your shows. Anyway, as I written before, you saved my Jeep Liberty. I've done quite a bit of sheet metal work on it that I would have never done without your guidance. So, between the entertainment value and the $100's if not $1000 you save me, I hope to be watching and learning from you for many years to come. You are, without a doubt, my all time favorite channel.

[@KSMike1]

What hooked me was the fact that you’re a natural at realizing what questions someone starting out is going to have, right at the moment they have them, and you explain the answer right there on the spot. It’s an art few professional teachers understand.

[@oneslowgp]

we come here to learn, I can go to several other for "entertainment". I never watch videos over 15 minutes long but I've watched a pile of your videos start to finish. I guess you're a better entertainer than you thought! Cheers Fitzee

[@ceesklumper]

Just like how you restore: simple effective tools, does the job. I'm going to give it a shot on painting my Lancia in the garage, after having welded in 4 new fenders using the cut 'n butt you taught me (never welded before a year ago). I have the exact same phone coincidentally. Your voice, accent and delivery are very pleasant too.

[@jnajjar2687]

For me , your doing everything right. I really appreciate that straight forward, honest and really enjoy what you’re doing. That comes through on the camera, and it’s inspiring. Keep em’ coming and I’ll keep watching, be well!

[@Mark-gk1bu]

Fitzee you're a craftsman and teacher by nature, and the cherry that tops the pie, is that you share your experience with those who want to learn. Look here... you're even sharing your experience on how you make your videos. The world needs more people like you.

[@williamzoom]

Your channel is by far one of the best on here and keeping everything simple is a major reason why it's so good! The over produced sponsor popping channels just don't cut it.

[@robertlipscomb9741]

Love the channel! I'm out today, welding & grinding a new rocker panel on my truck. Never would have attempted it, with out your videos. Thank You, "it's only sheet metal"

[@Richardskull]

Been a car nut for 40 plus years, 54 now. Thanks for great tips ,the bonus you show it’s ok not to have tons of fancy equipment. If you need something you make it. That’s what most of us have to do, great craftsman is always appreciated! Keep going

[@joeswartz1238]

Another great video Tony! Your authenticity combined with skill makes you truly one of the best teachers of sheet metal and fabrication on the Internet. Thanks for all the great tips ( the “tips are always good!) I know they’ve helped me a ton and I always look forward to new ones. Also always great to see PEANUT! 🐈

[@willemgoudsmits5805]

Indeed a great video. Your keyword is “Simple”. And that is your greatest skil. You keep everything as simple as it can be. I hope to see a lot of your great videos in the future. Keep doing this good things.

[@MAGLtd-hh3ct]

Couldn’t agree with you more Willem, simple is simply putting it, as Tony says”don’t over think it” and that’s what he does on his content!

[@billyadams1976]

This is why you have such success, you're down to earth, no horse playing, you don't try to be anything else but YOU!!!!! SUPER AWESOME CHANNEL SIR!!!!! Please don't change!!!!!!

[@privatepilot2617]

Tony, one of the best compliments we can pay you - your support of other bros in the biz. Your support of Carl "Japhands" Fisher and his "Make it Kustom" channel is the highest statement of the brotherhood between you all. From Newfoundland/Labrador to BC, you are reaching out and giving support. It is great to see the encouragement, especially with him making his way through the new shop start up. Thumbs up to you - completely Professional.

[@fitzeesfabrications]

Thanks. I watch alot of KZbin and know there is alot of us out there to learn from. If I stop learning new things it time to give it up. Carl is a amazing fabricator and a joy to watch.

[@carlpenney901]

You remind me when I was starting out in welding. I have worked with some great people like you willing to give trade secrets. I call them secrets because back in the 1970's jobs was hard to find and that was how you kept your job. 30 years later I was asked to train people on how to do things. I said no! They allways wanted me to train people that showed no interest. I told the company I will train one person and I will find that person to replace me. I found that person and worked with him for 2 years that was 8 years ago the company is no longer in business I would get phone calls from time to time thanking me for the way I took time to show him my secrets. So you remind me as the mentor showing his secrets for your youtube audience. Keep up the great work keep safe. Cheers

[@larryanderson8049]

Sharing your knowledge, skill, and experience....and not asking for one thin dime. That's what amazes me, and I'm sure, millions of others. You are doing it right, lots of folks out there wanting to learn rust repair and now it's possible....."just stick around"

[@newfieboyhello]

Hey Fitz, I think you are doing wonderful things and most of all your way....As my father would say.....work smart not hard....and you definitely 👍 fit that category....and most of all you are helping put our home NFLD on the map.... thanks

[@fitzeesfabrications]

Part of the island you from?

[@newfieboyhello]

St John's

[@Cory_R]

I'm just starting out my automotive KZbin journey, and the line "You're not talking to a camera you're talking to your viewers" is really going to help me feel less awkward in front of the camera. That is a great way of looking at it. This was a great video, thank you for sharing! To anyone else starting their journey on KZbin good luck to you and don't give up, you got this!

[@anthonypirozzi837]

You have the best channel on utube,I've learned so much from you,I've watched some of your videos four or five times and look forward to new ones. I can't stand most guys that do "clown around" too much,it's annoying. Don't change a thing you do and keep the content coming,absolutely appreciate you👍

[@dansawatzky2415]

A guy can always tell the difference between someone doing something they love versus the ones looking for fame. Keep up the awesome content.

[@CanadianDirt]

“Throwing money at something doesn’t always make it better.” Amen to that.

[@rickd6421]

You are a true inspiration to everyone who wants to do their own rust repairs, including me, giving me the confidence to rebuild a very rusty Transit Van Mk6. Love all your videos and look forward to the notification of your next upload. Thank you :)

[@davidzarr1832]

Fitzee your approach on handling your projects are easy to grasps for us backyard types who work on our own projects. It's not over complicated and you're good at explaining what you're doing.

[@1985AW11]

I always enjoy watching your easy-going style and excellent context. Thank you for posting how you do it. I may give it a try!

[@SoFlaGuy612]

This video gives us the opportunity to say thanks for sharing. Your community support is the result your ability to communicate important techniques in a simple and straightforward manner. You've personally helped me understand sheet metal fabrication and taken a lot of the "fear of failure" out of the process. You also never seem to let your ego take over, something other KZbinrs seem to have fallen prey too! You keep grinding the videos out and we'll keep watching!

[@scottandkatieparsons3681]

Tony, God Bless you! Keep that humility Sir! Wishing you all the best and continued success!! Keep those videos coming!!

[@michaelvandenhoy1021]

thanks for sharing this info with us, I would never consider doing this for a living, I am retired and enjoy working on my projucts and simply enjoy watching your how to videos. you are simply a great teacher and I really enjoy the helpful hints on fabrication and rust repair. You are the best teacher that I have came across for helping the common person doing repairs and fabricating, keep up the great work, I really appreciate your videos and teaching experience.

[@reverendalosada]

Fitzee, I've been watching your videos for a few months now. I've been prepping my truck for paint recently and yesterday a spot that I thought was some surface rust turned out to be a giant hole in a complicated (to me) area. I was able to build a patch panel by hand in a couple of hours using the methods you show on your channel. So I just stopped by to thank you for showing how you do what you do, I really appreciate it. Keep it up!

[@impalamike7639]

Fitzee you are a natural for the car community. You help me out when I get stumped on certain situations on metal fab . Thank you for your time.

[@krahaborowski]

I especially love one thing that you do: you show the end result at the intro. There are lots and lots of channels that show you the huge amount of cutting, grinding, welding and swearing, but never tell what exactly are they building till the very end.

[@carstenfunk6075]

This video encourages me to finally start. My topic will be vehicle electrics, finding and repairing cable harness issues etc....

[@sodiorne2]

Always loved the cat at the end!

[@olmoe1167]

How to repair rusty door bottoms was the video that brought me to your channel, But the fact that you were working with simple tools and items that I have,, is what made me Subscribe.... That and the fact that you actually show the process and steps on how you go about repairing whatever your working on...And what tools your working with...As far as non-rust related content,, I consider those videos a Bonus.... Thanks Tony...

[@miceinoz1181]

Yep, the basic workmanship and techiques are what make these absolute GOLD! Love the no-bullshit approach. Also amazed how much better the picture is on your phone, much better light sensitivity indoors. Having looked at some of your earlier vids, I am really interested in your background. You say you are not a coachbuilder, yet you seem to be able to make anything out of nothing. I am interested in how you obtained your unique skillset. What was your starting trade? What other jobs did you have that polished these skills to where you are now? Not much in the earlier vids to explain.

[@fitzeesfabrications]

Started as a love for custom cars from a young boy. Went trade school for autobody back in the 80s. While everyone was buying compressors and paint guns. I was buying a mig and just started cutting and welding. Rest I was self taught.

[@henryhumada2087]

I’m glad you decided to share your knowledge out here for the rest of us. Watching your channel has shown me that it doesn’t take a lot of fancy tools to tackle my project. The video that got me hooked was the Cut & Butt of the gas filler door. Simple and to the point. Thanks and God Bless.

[@MyKARSShop]

So much of what you shared is what I’ve learned & applied to grow my channel. I’ve not hit my 1000 yet but that’s ok. It’s a marathon. Not a sprint. Thanks for what you shared. It’s good advice.

[@caymanbracpowernlight5448]

FITZEE is a legend in these parts 👍🏼

[@stephanusjohanneshough2646]

Hallo Fitzee i in person couldn't thank you enough for sharing your skills and experience with us ordinary guys. What we see is what we get and that is a very good end product. With the plain simple and little tools that you use is proof to us that it can be done.And your tips are always fantastic en very helpful. It is only a pitty that i discovered your channel a couple a months ago .Your tips did help me a lot gave me the encouragement to tackle my own stuff.

[@fergiebiker]

Fitzee, love your channel and I love this video. I’m going through my midlife crisis, and bought an old ‘66 Mustang about 5 years ago that’s just been sitting in my garage. I’ve decided to build a new shop, and finally start restoring my car. I’ve been kicking around the idea of documenting it all on KZbin, and after seeing this video I ran into the other room and told my wife that I’m starting a KZbin channel. She rolled her eyes which is a good sign! Keep up the good work. I find your videos very entertaining and informative.

[@fitzeesfabrications]

Get started and keep us posted

[@kambacktransam4840]

The biggest peeve I have with some KZbin channels is Click Bait. Your channel is always informative never click bait.

[@carlosmontoya8658]

I am so pleased you decided to share your skills with KZbin land - your skills are unique and your approach is achievable to guys like me attempting to restore various vehicles. Kudos, Mr. Fitzee!

[@pete540Z]

I find that the guys that entertain don't hold my interest for long. What I'm looking for is something I want to learn about or how to do something. But people that show there personality and make me feel like they are talking from the heart is what I find really holds my attention and makes me come back to watch more. Don't change a thing!

[@robertbiggs4934]

Fitzee...love that you don't try to be an actor! Your content provides a learning experience on sharing your passion in a down to earth, honest way. You can also be pretty funny! You are not afraid to show your mistakes and laugh it off and continue on. Keep doing what you're doing. Thanks for the channel!

[@jimmulone2422]

Thanks for that! I have been kicking round the idea for a long time. As you said “overthinking it”. I do have a video posted it’s under 5 minutes about my sons F250 overhaul/restoration. And I need to add the follow up to it as it is now painted and assembly has begun. Again thank you for the information and keep at what you’re doing. I really enjoy watching.

[@Gordo31313]

Fitzee…. Keeping it real…. Since: 99,000 subscribers ago. Well done mate!

[@stephenlapek7547]

I started watching when I began my 1940 plymouth streetrod and really had no idea what I was doing. You've inspired and instructed me to get started on it and I greatly appreciate all of your videos. Thank you😀

[@LifeisGood762]

I just discovered this KZbin channel. Thank you, it's some of the best content on KZbin.

[@screwballgarage57]

Great info that’s what I am doing just documenting my build and my garage as it comes along

[@jerzy4151]

This speaks to me- using the video making process to motivate yourself to organize a daunting project into manageable chunks that get the momentum going.

[@jagster0810]

Been watching a lot, never miss a video since I found the first one. You really give me the confidence to improve my back yard repairs. I have learnt so much from you so many many thanks. I hope to retire soon and I might just start up a channel to document the restoration work and repairs I get into. I actually remember seeing this title and went back through your videos specifically to find it. It was, as usual very informative! keep on doing what your doing as the tips are always good 🙂

[@endeavour2127]

Its great reading all the positive comments about you Fitzee! Clearly you are an inspiration to so many of us! Thanks for everything so far and everything to come in the future!👍👍👍

[@jerrysmith8086]

Fitzee I looked at most of your comments everybody thinks the world of you and how good you are making things. I agree with all your friends on KZbin you are really really good at what you do and a good man you should run for President some where.

[@dirtyford633]

Absolutely LOVE Make It Kustom. You two, and VGG are my three channels I must watch every day!

[@fitzeesfabrications]

VGG. Forgot to mention him. Love his stuff. The dry humor is priceless

[@terrylindsey8638]

Yes he's a good teacher. Very interesting! Knows what he's doing. And has a great scene of humor and got great ideals !

[@tomdarnell4369]

Are you familiar with Cold War Motors? Scott is extremely knowledgeable and, while he does have some better tools, I watched him make a quarter panel for a ‘60 Fury with basically a mallet and a chunk of a tree. He’s another one of my favorites.

[@centralbears3010]

You are original is why i like your channel. if you run out of rust, i got plenty down here in georgia. you content is why i stick around. everything else is an added benefit. You are cool!

[@clayeden1204]

Believe it or not you are infectious. Maybe not bubbly or anything but still there’s something about you that people connect with. For me it’s the fact you seem very human and relatable. Personally I’ve watched and occasionally still watch some of the bigger names but I find myself drawn to the channels that I can relate to. You are a great teacher and from the way you interact with people I believe you genuinely care about your subscribers. Keep up the good work my friend

[@fitzeesfabrications]

Very kind words. Thank you

[@Chevypowered5766]

Tony I just hope that this video makes it to you to see. I have been watching your channel for a while and I think you are great the way you do things and explain the how to of your process. I just found this video and it’s a good explanation of how to get started for someone who wants to get started on u tube. You mentioned people you watched, I found Carter Auto Restyling I think he’s great a young guy but dose old school repairs, a little odd and dry with his humor but quality workmanship and the ability for the job, I would recommend you check him out if you haven’t already low budget not a lot of tools but a great job with what he has, and he has cats. Thanks again Tony for the videos tips and techniques I have learned a lot. Later

[@colehara]

I really enjoy these videos. I've learned a lot from them and I find them relaxing to watch. So many "why didn't I think of that" moments. 👍

[@DDSpeedShop]

Thanks man. Keep killing it!

[@mongomay1]

Thanks again Fitzee for sharing how you got started with your rust repair laboratory video making process, the stuff behind the garage door. Keeping it simple.

[@markd2322]

Fitzee, What I enjoy seeing, and made me a subscriber is your style. It is like hanging out in a neighbor's garage just tinkering with and talking about cars. Because you use simple tools, the projects are relatable, yet I am awed by your thought process breaking down complex forms into simpler shapes and tackling them one step at a time. You keep making them, I'll keep watching them. Thanks

[@bronco797]

I like the simplicity of how you go about fixing rust issues that most of us have. I am amazed how so many people share similar interests also.

[@franstolsma554]

Hi Toni, nice vid again. It’s almost weird not to see you welding and grinding. But this background gives even more admire how you got things done. 👍

[@fks-pv8il]

Love your honesty! In the end it’s a case of…. Just do it! If you buy something for your work it should be cost effective and make you better, but it is not a replacement to knowing how to do it without the tool…. My dad was a mechanic and he was old school…. He said Fuel injection is just a more efficient carburetor…. Of course that was after it became less mechanical and more electrical! He hated all vacuum lines! RIP dad!

[@leonardgilbreath9004]

Fitzee I'm not one to want to be on KZbin but when you look for ways to do or repair something but you and a couple other guy's give advice we use and always look forward for your next post thumbs up 👍👍

[@timwhaley8406]

I like your videos. I've learned a lot by watching you. Keep it simple is the best thing I've learned. Put it to good use on my 1971 Z-28.

[@Dave-ty2qp]

As usual Fitz, your honesty comes thru. Thanks for the video, but I'm still not clear on how Bob became your Uncle. LOL

[@malcolmchadwick4047]

I love watching Fitzzy, very informative and explained in lay men's terms nothing complicated about the process. A nice guy who always has time to reply to a comment and appreciates what people say unlike some youtubers.

[@ronniemcneill1301]

I just want to say one I enjoy watching you and I like the fact that you don’t mind teaching us that want to learn to do for them self ! I’m trying to restore a 1960 Chevy C10 pickup and it needs a lot of rust work. So thank you

[@joebryan2135]

fitzee is the real deal;...as a Texan who works in oilfield , i meet a fella from where fitzee is from while working in North Dakota..when we would go to café the waitress would flip out on how we talked with our very different accents ....lol

[@garypeterson3628]

Fitzee, thank you so much for a great video. You still ended up fixing some rust. I recently retired and rusted in place. I always wanted to start a You Tube channel. You have motivated me to get up off my bum and start. Thanks. New viewer and subscriber.

[@jimmyoinas64]

Iam always watch your channel Fitzee, for cut and welding my Olds -55 98😀 Thanks Jimmy from Sweden

[@timmyfields6159]

Don’t know if you ever watched Waylon Wires old iron, but he showed a neat trick with a latter and I think an old window or garage door worm and saw horses to make swing shot videos smooth with no shaking. He put a drill on low speed and it made a great swiping shot

[@lucif3r174]

I've said it before, but the reason your channel is so good is because you're not a "try hard", you do what you do, you're down to earth and don't use big fancy tools. This makes you *relatable*, it motivates people(myself included) to go out there and just do it with the tools they have. Not having big out-of-reach equipment doesn't have to mean you can't achieve a great result. Sure, it might take longer, it might be frustrating, but it's completely achievable. And, living in the motherland of rust(sweden), the fact that you're focused on rust repairs appeals a lot to me. So many otherwise good cars goes to the scrapyard because of failed inspections due to rust over here. :/ ... Also I just have to point out.. I absolutely LOVE the fact that both you and your cat are a bit on the chubby side :D May (s)he live many happy chubby years to come! I have 4 cats myself, ranging from small and chubby, to tall and skinny, to big and fat. ...And I myself ain't exactly skinny either :P

[@fitzeesfabrications]

Hahaha. Me chubby?? Noooo. Hahaha

[@Liberatus]

I believe if you like the personality, you enjoy the show. Crusty, Wendy’s car, patches.the process works and is my favourite.

[@venvnco6259]

Always learn something from your videos. Some people make videos about nothing just to make a video.

[@SeasideGarage]

I really like your content and I learn so much from it.... Especially the thing about getting a good result out of simple tools. You really dont need all the special stuff to make great work, and that is inspiring! Thank you for sharing your youtube experience... I am doing the same and started around the same time as you... The feedback from people around the world makes it so interesting to do!

[@jerrysmith8086]

Hey Fitzee really enjoy watching you make all those hard to make parts that look impossible to make, Iam fairly good at making just about any thing out of metal or wood have always been like that. A man that worked for my dad told him when I was seven that I was going to invent something some day and I have, I just used those inventions for my self and that was as far as they got. I used a lot of them in my cabinet shop they were always for saving time. I’ve still got a lot of the inventions in my head and never will do anything with them. You know you can pick up anything and I mean anything and make it better, seems like it is easy for me to come up with new ideas 💡 good talking to you and I’ll talk to you later. Retired old man now.

[@rayrayadkins6178]

I really injoy watching the videos of you repairing car's and trucks

[@David-kq9vp]

Real life conditions problem solving and good advice don't over think it is priceless advice

[@MWGarage]

Great video Fitzee! I enjoy watching your repair videos but this is just what I needed to gee me up and realize that KZbin success does not happen overnight! Keep up the good work!

[@IronHorseGarage]

Great information and tips!! That's all what we discovered, just do something! It's never the right time, you just have to do it. Use what you have and keep improving. If you're looking for other channels we do have a video about building a stand for a bead roller....but I can't say you'll learn anything!!

[@dak4697]

I agree Tony, just do it, "The journey of a thousand miles starts with the first step"

[@tonyrandazzoe8210]

You communicate alot like I do and thats why i enjoy your vids ..You have a philosophy that I understand ....Its nice to have it all here

[@michaellippmann4474]

Really good...you are head and shoulders above this old guy! I just bash around in my garage on my old MG's. Love watching your videos....and yes rust repair is a popular thing down here in Southern Ontario...which seems like the salt application capital of Canada! Keep up the good work! Mike 🇨🇦🍁 👍

[@timmyfields6159]

What I like most about your vids is that you put more effort into passing your knowledge on to us than trying to get clicks. Your talent with metal just amazes me. Thank you for your channel and keep up the good work👍😁

[@jorgefernandez-mv8hu]

Thanks for the tips. Yes, they were good. The way you approach the problem and work it through is very instructive to me and has given me inspiration to get to working on my car. You are a pleasure to watch.

[@rybreadification]

Thanks for making this video Fitzee! I started my KZbin channel about a year ago, but I still only have 99 subscribers. I hope my channel does as well as yours someday. I built a camera boom out of an old garage door opener, but besides that I just use my phone like you. Thank you for your insights, and perspective. Its nice to learn new things, and get new ideas about a topic I’m already familiar with.

[@kevindean7952]

Thank you Fitzee. I've been wanting to start my own youtube channel for a while. You have been a big help with me getting started. I should have a channel on installing an oil fired furnace soon. Thanks again, I enjoy your channel.

[@robnone4552]

Great to see you showing how to keep it simple thank you really enjoy watching you all the best

[@dougscriver7726]

Real world man and subject still my hero

[@steveroberts4762]

Should be a SUPER HERO... METAL MAN!

[@ieddavidfoster2070]

Almost everyone one here is hung up on themselves and the way the do things and I could imagine in real life they must be an asshole to work with and learn from,they are good but I can'tget thoughall of there videos becauseof the bad attitude,not all but we know who they are. Your a true teacher, your good at what you do and you try to help others to become as good and build them up. You are an teacher, I wish I could someday learn form you in person, it would be a blast to be as good as you and spend my days working the metal. Thanks for teaching all of us on here and to get us all trying. I can only speak for myself but I wouldn't have been brave enough to start without your videos. I'm learning everyday by doing thanks to you

[@theman1469]

doing great learned alot you helped me on my 1950 chevy truck i rebuilt the front left cab corners and used what i learned from you and to the point is how you do it keep it up