HUGE BANG in our workshop, I messed up BAD on customers engine

In todays video, we show the importance of health and safety in the workplace and being careful with these dangerous machines, I own up to you for messing up on a customer’s engine

[@colinweir5807]

As an apprentice fitter / machinist in the mid 70's I sometimes heard the phrase " if you haven't made a mistake you haven't made anything". Not a good feeling when you do make a mistake though. Thankfully nobody was hurt and minimal damage to job and machine. As you say complacency catches us all out eventually. Keep the bent valve in your tool box as a small reminder. Stay safe.

[@nicholasvalentine6738]

At school about 50yrs ago in metalwork class, no sooner had the teacher said "...and you must never ever leave a chuck key in a lathe", I left a chuck key in the lathe! It shot across the room missing everyone and slightly damaged the wall behind some furnaces, far enough away to not involve me, even better the teacher had nipped out for a quick smoke (a pipe of course, one of those metal types with a wooden bowel that all qualified tradesmen back then smoked!)

[@noth606]

Most technical jobs are like that, I'm a software dev, I've both flubbed and seen the aftermath of mistakes by others. I'm usually involved in trying to fix things after, whether it was me or another. That's how you learn to pay proper attention.

[@gloriaknight6304]

@@noth606

[@davidmclean6178]

If anyone thinks that accidents like that don't happen they're living in a fantasy land. So glad you're ok & it turned out all right. My school shops had lots of pieces of material stuck in the walls & ceiling from accidents just like yours and they outlined each one with a marker & a note of how each one happened to teach us about safety & respect for the tools. You can't ever go wrong telling the truth, good on you Lee!!

[@user-xb2sh7wn8h]

an elderly chap always used to say, expect the unexpected boy. accidents can happen. tip my hat to you for revealing the moment. when i actually think about what you did, that does sound quite easy to do. i always remember many years ago at college, the teacher telling us never ever pull the swarf away with your fingers with the machine running or not as it could not work in your favour. ive never forgotten that.

[@evo5349]

That valve is bent perfect you should mount it on a nice bit of wood on the wall. As a reminder we all f*** up.

[@billjamison2877]

If I lived across The Pond, I would bring my 440 Six-Pack for you to work on because you're an honest man!

[@Triicks111]

Mad respect for showing your mistake lee, this could teach some one something and i guarantee its given you a lesson. How's the apprentice getting on? Stay safe lads

[@nickboylen6873]

I think that valve is going to give a bit of low compression. Might need a bit of lapping…

[@kevinchamberlain7928]

Nah, it'll be reet.

[@lesbaty8919]

😂😂

[@paulrigby7671]

Wouldn't say you're an idiot, accidents happen . Im impressed with the honesty to be fair considering the amount of trolls you get slagging you off . RESPECT

[@kennethbowry1521]

Well a man who never makes a mistake, will never make anything thanks for your channel I have learnt more on your channel than 5 years at school.

[@pakjohn48]

As an ex- fitter and turner in the 60's and later as an engineering business owner, I watch your channel not only for the technical but also the business content. However the standout is your honesty and your willingness to show it all to the world. Keep up the good work.

[@Aaron-uk]

Made yourself a new cabinet handle! XD I will say, its not always the mistakes you make, its how you go about fixing them. Appreciate the honesty. None of us are perfect :)

[@matthewfoster6620]

I've done silly things on the mill, spur of the moment stuff. The main thing is that no-one has been injured or worse. Very impressive value, I'd be keeping that for a momento, perhaps a hook for the blowgun just to remind you each time you go to blow off the swarf.

[@stuyoung8572]

…..nothing wrong with taking the ‘walk of shame’ Lee, we’ve all been there fella. Those who haven’t had a ‘bang’ however small, is not a proper engineer. Keep on keeping on brother 🤘🏻❤️

[@happygarage6310]

Got you a little reminder that those machines of yours are ready and willing to teach you something about being complacent.

[@mercedesmaintenance.6339]

Bravo for admitting your mistakes. We've all screwed up stuff in one way or another. Those who say they haven't, are full of it. Really enjoy the shop tours and your down to earth manner. Cheers from an expat in California.

[@TamTran-vw7zm]

Cheers for your honesty. Wish there were more people like you in the business (esp. Here in the USA).

[@remfanuk1970]

and this is why we love your channel...we're only human and your honesty is rather unique.

[@lesterbuckman5493]

I have had a few crash's myself and any machinist who say's they haven't are ether lying or haven't been machining long, its just par for the course. Trying to secure with clamps and fixtures and jigs is all well until it isn't. Love your posts and your passion ! keep up the great work

[@lesterbuckman5493]

@@derektaylor2941 What you mean the UK ? I can assure you that it’s no different in NZ and Australia, I don’t think you get when your doing this day in and day out. There’s so many potential areas for these crashes in machining. Human error being one of them. When you have got a dozen thinks on the go and putting out a ton of work shit happens. Show me a man who hasn’t made a mistake will show you a man who’s made nothing

[@doegreendesignworkshop5444]

Easily done Lee, as an ex toolroom machinist I have seen some mistakes which fortunately no one was hurt. People outside of the trade may not realise how potentially dangerous machine tools can be , especially milling machines, in particular horizontal millers. Great channel, always look forward to your latest video, nice to see some of the old skills still around. Fred

[@TheRebelOne.]

My advice is to mount the valve on a nice metal stand and polish it all up and put a brass plate on it with Alfa Romeo and "We are all fallible" and place it as a gentle reminder in your workshop. Well done you!!

[@joshcraven9781]

When you do the same kind of thing day after day you can tend to get complacent and expect the same result. No one was hurt and surprisingly the only thing damaged was a valve. You got lucky. That said I enjoy watching your videos from over here in the States. Your knowledge and honesty is top notch in my book. Keep it up.

[@fredflintstone8048]

Anyone who does machine work who hasn't made a mistake YET just hasn't been doing it long enough. All one can do is learn from the mistake and go forward. I'm glad to hear that no one was hurt, and that the damage was minimal. It's so true that the larger milling machines have a lot of power and as such can do some damage. I made a small mistake with the z-axis on my Brideport milling machine and watched the flutes peeling off an endmill bit and flying. Took them off like they were twigs.

[@NoWr2Run]

100%.

[@jdsmort]

The only REAL way to learn is by making a mistake... in your case, not a particularly expensive one, luckily..... Nice to see someone who is honest about it.

[@rorypower544]

your still Rollin! folks who never get it wrong never do anything keep smoking!

[@TheZeta1973]

That valve will make a good prize for one subscriber lol

[@alexferguson9283]

I admire your honesty, Lee. I know next to nothing about engineering, but I find your channel fascinating with the wide variety of great content. Good luck and best wishes to you and all the guys at Barium Engines. 👍🏻

[@redchemicalsltd2324]

Hello Lee, the main reason l watch your channel is your absolute honesty....you are so, so lucky to have got away with only a bent valve... the best bit is getting John to look first & report the damage, l personally would have wound you up & told you it is absolutely f****d & at your expense, & get that van cancelled pronto...lol.

[@pauljackson1069]

Spot on with the warranty, don let the chancers stich you up

[@keithward233]

Love the honesty Lee, as my dad used to say " the man who has never made a mistake has either done nothing or is a liar "

[@huwzebediahthomas9193]

My super fail was putting rear mini rear brake shoes the wrong way around, it became trailing from leading, failed the MOT and I went fuck. Handbrake too.

[@howardgoold5774]

Thanks for giving us the Good, Bad and the Ugly, it's an education for us all in fact it could safe a life, top stuff, thanks Lee, regards Howard NZ

[@malachy1847]

Whatever about being Unlucky...you were seriously Lucky, so you can Bank that and just smile... Great Upload...

[@markb5985]

Paint the valve yellow and stick it in a little vase on your desk 😉

[@lelandlewis7207]

A shop I worked in used a segmented stone resurfacer. With aluminium heads, proper dressing of the stone is critical. The guy doing the job didn't dress the stone, so it sucked the head up from the pedestals, putting a big groove in it. Luckily, it didn't grab it and jam it in the machine. The nice thing about stone machines is they are contained inside metal shielding due to the liquid coolant spraying around, so heads usually don't fly around the shop. lol

[@dougobrien2840]

Good on you Lee. Love your honesty easy mistake to make .We all make mistakes or accidents .love your new benches ,easy to keep clean and you feel better working on a good work area cheers from Australia.

[@thomaskirkpatrick4031]

Good or bad, you've gotten the reputation for for being fair and honest, these 2 qualities make some people think that means your weak, and can be taken advantage of. He's a good guy, bring it back, you van probably get him to do it for free.

[@mkllove]

Got lucky there Lee that no one got hurt and only damaged the one valve ! Noticing your engines on pallets outside, thought you might consider making a few re-usable short wooden tables just a bit bigger in footprint to stand atop the pallets as a means of consolidating everything related to each motor as it's broken down and re assembled ? Almost all your tables are covered in parts and tools already, and I don't know how you manage to keep things discrete from job to job. Agree with warranty decision as well, it's a business, every day has to be consistent, customer to customer whether a shop or individual.

[@bostedtap8399]

Friction weld on valve passed the 90 degree bend test. 👍. Machine tools have no feelings! Have a great weekend all.

[@johnreed1580]

That valve is AWESOME!

[@thjakits]

Dammit!! That Alfa valve is one hell of a solid piece!! 😈😆 You are right - machine tools are no joke! They're awesome, but when things go wrong - they become lethal in a hurry! Thanks for the truth and details!! Cheers!

[@colinfelce]

I love your honesty Buddy, we all have bad days,

[@lesprudence374]

Applause for your honesty, keep up the good work. 👏👏👏

[@huwzebediahthomas9193]

Your site is so successful because we love the singing Barnstaple seagulls in the background.

[@jeffboyer8214]

Ouch , no one got hurt thankfully. That's insane wow! Be safe.

[@markahad6583]

Great lesson on safety, my friend. I’m sure it will be remembered. Thanks for sharing 👍

[@nicholasvalentine6738]

I've learnt you're 43... however I'm still 64. It just never f*****g ends!

[@jon623197]

We're all human and none of us perfect. You made a mistake, owned it and learnt from it. That's just life isn't it? Great vid, well done.

[@paullucas97]

Big respect for your integrity & honesty! Keep up the great work Lee 👌👍

[@leesherburn9460]

That valve would go on display. Glad every thing it ok. It is the moments when you relax working that the littlest mistakes can have big affects.

[@jeffsmith7864]

Thanking you Lee tac care sir & stay safe!

[@lesleysmith5623]

Had to laugh when I saw the valve. Been there, done similar but not that bad. Appreciate honesty but man, you were so lucky. Lesson learnt.

[@kerbsidemotors9249]

Fair play for honesty

[@JUDGERAMBO]

Honesty is the best policy

[@paulrobinson3528]

You need to get cameras all round the shop for incidents like that. We can then have a bloody good laugh at your expense 😆

[@charliespann3967]

We all get a reminder of what we are doing every once in a while. You did the samething we all have done with machinery. Thanks

[@madeljacky]

Your not a dip stick Lee, your only human and humans make mistakes, it takes a very honest bloke to admit he has made a mistake though and your one of the few who admits it. The amount of mistakes I have made on the mill and lathe is quite a few but I have got away with it and nobody was hurt. Have to say though the bent valve looks like something you should put on your workshop wall with the capitation under it of 'guess how this got bent' ?

[@monteceitomoocher]

I'm not connected with your trade but I've heard every story in the book regarding out of date warranties, we put it away for months and never used it, only used it once and it's failed, my friend's an electronics expert and he says xyz, heard it all, customers think a warranty is made of elastic, glad to hear you're toughing up on that sort of thing, also customers with some oddball bit of kit that's not your field, once you've touched it your married to it, don't go there, btw, love the new transit they're fantastic.

[@chrishartley1210]

On the other hand, if you consider the case of (for example) a TV set or washing machine, they are expected to last much longer than the 12 months "warranty" most come with. I don't know if any of these cases have been to court but a court may well take the view that in such a case the warranty period is a restriction and declare it invalid. I have heard of cases where the manufacturers have paid out/repaired in this situation, probably they don't want to risk a court case going against them and leaving them opening to a lot more claims. It's not just a case of "I've only used it once". It has even been the case in the automotive trade, particularly where faulty materials were used, where the manufacturers have replaced parts many years after the warranty period has expired. The only sensible advice is to judge each case on its merits, if it is nothing to do with the work you've done then reject the claim outright even within the warranty period. If it is outside the warranty period then look at it more carefully and judge for yourself if you did something wrong but point out that any investigation will be charged to the claimant if you are not at fault, that should dismiss most fake claims.

[@JustMeHereAtHome]

There are times when it is valid to warranty jobs that are outside (sometimes well outside) the warranty dates. They are few and far between, but you will know it when you see it, and it is always in your favor to do the right thing when it happens.

[@colinscutt5104]

Honesty . a HUGELY underrated and scarce resource these days. Anyone with plenty to spare is a credit to themselves and their parents

[@alanjohnstone2539]

Unfortunate situation that would be very easy to do. Your nightmare will prevent others doing the same. Great work.

[@robertsteele5165]

I love the honesty and your channel! great content and real life stuff that isn't edited except about time during jobs which is totally understandable. We have all made boo boos from time to time...I remember the first and second time I had left the old check Key in the chuck on a lathe when I was younger, lit out of the top of the chuck, missed my head by about 3-4 inches, sailed across the workshop and into a window on the opposite side of the WS...like you say have a laugh now but at the time was a bit scary, I wasn't the only one in that class to do that!!

[@TechnicalTim21]

Just to say be very carful with that vapour blaster ,I Aquablasted my own Cosworth Sierra Head once and steam cleaned it straight afterwards it clean it I then sent it to my friendly engine machinist to have new guides fitted .He said while he we doing the job Aqua sand kept coming out I now will not aquablast anything with internal passages . Much enjoying the video's especialy the Cosworth stuff as I have a K reg 4x4 Saff myself.

[@rosswaring2835]

Easily done Lee when you become so used to doing a job … that’s when silly things like that happen. Good on you for sharing and luckily no one hurt or too much damage. 👍

[@MrJinxy01]

Glad you didn’t hurt yourself with the cutting machine but I did have to laugh when you shown the valve lol 😂

[@ericohara2582]

Oh I could so easily have done the same. Very good you shared it. Thank you

[@daverobinson3816]

100% fair play for being honest. Love the channel. Erm, that valves a belter. Get it mounted I’d say. 👍🏻

[@peterprice5896]

In business mate BE HARD BUT BE FAIR STAND YOUR GROUND KNOW YOUR RIGHTS most of these warranty claims are made by chancers who are trying their luck….the amount of us followers that you have proves you are a decent bloke who runs a top notch outfit.

[@mick5114]

We all make mistakes that's part of what life's about to learn from them, wouldn't be human to not make any. Your a great Chap that provides a maverlous insight into the engineering trade. Keep up the good work 👏

[@alanbell2156]

That value's a keeper! Make a little plinth for it and keep it on your desk 👍😆

[@slyteen2197]

Your honesty is why we subscribe 👍

[@joshuaarrebola3430]

Thanks for showing us the boo-boo. I think it’s great you are showing mistakes and how it happened. That there is experience you are sharing. Happy to hear you all okay, gotta take care with those machines, as you said.

[@g0fvt]

"I have a confession to make" camer pulls back to reveal he is wearing a tutu and ballet shoes...

[@JustAlanJohn]

Honesty + Integrity 👍

[@Impulse5596]

Always interesting, always an education

[@henktulp4400]

Nice vid again Lee!!....... People that work make mistakes.....those who claim to never having made a mistake.....probably didn’ do a lot of work....so I can proudly announce I had to replace a cilinderhead this week after a distribution belt disintegrated that I replaced 3 weeks earlier!! (1999 Citroen 400.000 km Berlingo 1.9 Diesel....tensioner pully was not fitted properly)

[@7123]

Quickest way to learn is to make mistakes. I doubt you will do that again in a hurry. I left the locking bar in a pedestal grinder one time while changing the wire brush to a mop head. The noise it made when I turned the machine on is something I will never forget. Never made that mistake again haha

[@brianholcomb6499]

God Bless you for working with all that old machining equipment 😂😂😂😂! Those are all the types of machines that you need to know all there little quirks 🙄🙄🙄🙄! But they always seem to get the jobs done! I completely dicked off one of my own cylinder heads for my own Small block Chevy! I spent about 40hrs porting both heads, because we were looking to make over 500hp with it! This was back in the mid 90s! I milled one of the heads on my bosses really nice Winona Vanorman milling machines! Nice perfect, smooth, no problems! Well it was getting really late ⏰ & I said, I’ll get this last head milled tonight, than I could finish the engine this weekend! Well I snugged the bolts as I normally would, but I guess not enough! Of course it backed off right as both my boss & myself were no where’s near the machine! Well it sounded beautiful right until the dead center of the head, where it loosened up & started sawing it in half 🙄🙄🙄🙄🤬🤬🤬🤬🤯🤯🤯🤯! It is the worst looking thing I’ve ever seen 🤬🤬🤬🤬! I think we scrapped it, because it started digging into the deck probably about, 250thou 🙄🙄🙄🙄! It broke my heart, to have to find another head, & redo everything to it 🤯🤯🤯🤯! Then there was another time when I had just rebuilt the TH400 automatic transmission that went behind it! It again was very early on a Sat am! I had just set the front pump in w a few bolts to check the end play! As I walked away to the parts washer, to get the last few bolts, I said to my best friend from high school, please don’t let that thing fall now, just as I heard it crash to the floor 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤯🤯🤯🤯! Needless to say, it busted the bell housing right off the rest of the transmission case 🙄🙄🙄🙄! Luckily there was a way to fix it, by cutting the rest of the stock bell housing off & installing a heavy duty bolt on SFI approved, explosion proof bell housing! Except it cost a few hundred that I didn’t just have laying around, never mind waiting until Wednesday to receive it 🙄🙄🙄🙄🤬🤬🤬🤬! Stupid things you only do once in your life 😂😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣!

[@this_is_a_tiny_town]

The valve head has the number four scribed in the centre, but when the workpiece moved did you shout out, FORE!!? 😆

[@davecooke914]

Great video lee all make mistakes good luck with rest of your projects 👍

[@wil6817]

Looks like them new 90 degree shallow head valves. Proper motorsport upgrade, lowing the centre of gravity for the customer. Always going the extra mile

[@STEVIEBHOY]

When Paul finishes the Cossie we would love to see it 👍

[@rodparnell1953]

Best line in the video: "Don't be a plonker" hahaha

[@thedondy]

Be interesting to see the vxr engine build. Just rebuilt one very similar recently.

[@basilwatson1]

Don't worry you can always keep that valve for right angle inlet combustion Chamber

[@aussietaipan8700]

A new definition of a side valve engine.

[@MDAdams72668]

We are ALL human what separates those that succeed (in general) is the willingness to admit one's mistakes(if only to yourself) and learn from THEM Glad it wasn't more costly

[@paulmuff9883]

I worked in manufacturing industry all my working years before retirement and seen more than one fatality because of complacency! Metal can always be replaced , lims and lives cannot!

[@Nick-mq9on]

Every mistake one makes should be a lesson in what not to do, and makes one wiser and more competent. Also you should make a "wall of shame" where you affix the part or a photograph of the part for posterity.

[@markwallis7199]

Many times I've had someone do a head or block or whatever and it's been years before I bolt it up and run it. Never in my wildest dreams would I go back to the machinist and say "remember three years ago when you did ............". My problem, live with it. (it would most likely be nothing that he did anyway)

[@STEVIEBHOY]

You should make a handle out of the bent valve... for a place you use often as a constant reminder 👍

[@Mac_Cam]

Everyone learns by their mistakes. You never stop learning

[@alicetotterdown2536]

every day is a school day

[@johnoregan8245]

My Dad used to say " the man who never made a mistake never made anything !"

[@terencehawkes3933]

I. agree with you on your stance on warranties. You're a business and you have to stay in business.

[@colinmain5641]

If you do stuff, you’ll make a mistake or two that’s for sure. I remember welding next to a battery on the charge. What a bloody scare that gave me and lucky as hell to get away with it. Could have kicked myself for being so daft. Learned a valuable lesson though. (Some would say a very obvious one!) As long no one is injured and a lesson is learned then no harm is really done. That valve looks like something you could wear in a buttonhole now though.

[@briananderson3801]

I did that and a spark landed on the battery ,it blew the side out of the bat what I didn't realize was the acid spryed up on my pants needless to say I was half naked by the time 4:30 came around it ate the pants from the crotch down because I was standing over it on a semi truck when the blew out lol quite a day

[@ambydaly5713]

I know that feeling well. While working at a sub contract engineering company mid 70s on a horizontal cnc borer the routine was put a plug in a cross bore to clock height centre for boring 90degree cross bore. Yes you guessed. Left plug in hole an the whole set up, fixture plus component landed on floor. This happened because we bored first inch then cnc rapids to other side ,plug in the way and bang. It turns out all previous operators did same mistake.

[@cooper68ns]

Very curious to see the lagonda .its one fine looking engine . Looking forward to that one .

[@Andy-qo6rq]

Omg that was so close if that had snapped off it could have flown across the workshop at a far rate of knots. If you fell in SH#T you would come up smelling of Rosie’s you was so lucky. Just love the videos especially the Sunday video. When we seeing the van video 👍👍👍

[@hiltonmccowage9436]

Hi mate. I was always taught the person who didn’t make a mistake didn’t make anything. So don’t beat yourself up. Remember your bent Alfa is easily straightened by quite a few heat spots method. I straighten heads on a regular basis. Cheers

[@hoobsgroove]

you can straighten out a aluminium head. need a bearing press 25 tons+ couple of cast iron blocks that are machine to each other, a solid piece of iron to go in the cam bearing journals sitting on solid hard wooden as inserts with about 4mm of compression. heat it up with an acetylene torch to about 470 degrees Celsius evenly, apply the press and leave for an hour release the press go round with the touch till you get to 150 degrees Celsius let it cool check for any warping if not you're ok. you can just heat up the head and leave it to cool down that might actually sort it out!

[@kennethtalbott2233]

bloody ell Lee, can't believe you did that with the blower. you were well lucky. regards to the warranty, people like myself probably have many cars, and maybe had the engine done and carry on with a restoration that can take years, especially a couple of mine, then when they finally get to drive the car which is most likely out of any warranty period, i don't think it's the customers problem if the engine fails. i think you have to consider this. one person could have an engine in daily use another as a cherished vehicle hardly any use. just be fair with the honest guys.

[@frankp.2831]

“Don’t be a plonker” … love it. Very good advice. Nice save on the head.