Adam Savage Mods His Custom Lightsaber!

[@tested]

Saberbay Pixel Core inside this saber: www.saberbay.com/products/saberbay-pixelcore Adam's build of this lightsaber: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l6nMiqJsZr2FiNk

[@commander515]

The precision of these milling machines never ceases to amaze me. I'm glad that Adam included that shot of the milling tool angle, it really helps in understanding exactly how it works as well as his thought process in solving a particular problem.

[@bigrich5872]

Q

[@bigrich5872]

😊

[@MrSeanman30]

Always makes me wonder what tools they used to make the milling machines. Then, what tools they use to make the tools to make the precision milling machine 😂

[@evanshade19]

He could make a lightsaber video every day and I'd watch 😂

[@angrymario8259]

Most definitely

[@Mutant_X98]

Dude, I know what you mean. That was me with the Hellboy build.

[@He11cth3r3]

I liked watching him make it

[@JacobCarlson]

Adam, you may know this now but when you were changing the lightsaber color, it seemed like you put it into a mode where you could simply rotate the hilt parallel to the ground, and it will smoothly cycle through the spectrum. When you get to the color you like, I _think_ you just press the button, although every board is different. In that mode, you don't need to do the quick snapping motion. It allows you to be a lot more precise with the color.

[@jaypeder7984]

As a machinist, Adam's quick problem solving is spot on as a skill only acquired over time constantly looking at the same set of problems. AvE quotes it as a "economy of movement" that old cuss' have, when you see the same 100 problems for years in a row, your tools to solve those problems are honed to an incredible degree. It's a challenge for anybody old or young to think you know the best way. Always pull from different sources. Smarter Every Day just put out a video and a key point was safety, and using more than one person to tipple check you, and then consult with fresh eyes of someone brand new to the project. Respect from me, as always, Adam.

[@thomgizziz]

WTF was that nonsense... we don't need your half insane stream of consciousness.

[@bfaub8748]

He should make the crystal clear instead so that no matter what color the blade is, the gem will be that color aswell. (Also, loving the project and the saber) ❤️❤️❤️

[@infinitesimal387]

13:56 That little high tone up sweep the milling machine makes when starting up for the boring inside of the pineapple is fantastic! That needs to be part of some droid build or something.

[@allluckyseven]

Right? I was thinking that Skywalker Sound should record some of that.

[@andreavictoriaparadiso47]

It reminded me of the sound of the saucers in the original "War Of The Worlds"

[@entertainingandfun2719]

I like to watch your videos while I work. I zoned out for a while and consequently 10 minutes in I had no idea what video was playing. All of a sudden I hear a lightsaber ignition… 😂 “oh we’re building lightsabers?! AWSOME!” Love your channel so much Adam. You’ve taught me so much.

[@TildAbuse]

Just last night I was thinking to myself "boy, I hope Adam goes back to his custom lightsaber build at some point." I am so, so happy right now :D

[@TildAbuse]

And on top of that is the promise of more! I do hope he adds a belt hanger of some sort at some point.

[@professorpantherhardraad3921]

I really like how regardless of the fact that everything in that workshop costs multiple millions of dollars it still feels like it's our good buddy Adam walking us through his place. Stay connected people.

[@Salgood]

multiple millions might be a bit of an exaggeration.

[@tzxazrael]

@@Salgood yep, most of it (individually) is less than 10k. Adam isn't a hollywood movie star himself, he just made the stars look good. all the machines in the entire shop probably aren't close to $1m even, if you bought them all new (and most were purchased used anyway). i mean, not that it's just 'throwaway' money, either, but someone who was really into this kind of thing could definitely put together a similar shop. if you were actually using it to regularly produce work you were being paid for, you could probably even get a good chunk of it as a business expense (but talk to a business/tax authority first, lol).

[@Salgood]

@@tzxazrael Yeah that was my hunch. Those tools aren't cheep at all, but I'd bet the total value of all his collectibles might even outshine them!

[@heyspookyboogie644]

Even if you count every machine and every tool/adapter to that machine, etc. it’s definitely in the 6 figure range somewhere cause he’s got some stuff that’s really high end. But still not millions nevermind $1M. There’s plenty of non-famous people who have shops at this level just because that’s where their disposable income goes over their life.

[@thomgizziz]

no, you are terrible at knowing what things cost.

[@TheAlpineWolf]

Awesome to see this project again!

[@bignate2155]

ikr

[@nathanseybold6679]

I never get tired of these perfect cuts like at 6:36 where Adam walks out of frame and then instantly steps back into frame from the other side. Keep it up, Tested editing team!

[@hekidanjo]

This is the content I'm here for. I tinker with sabers and would have just sloppily used a Dremel until it fit. Seeing it done RIGHT so that it looks even better than when he started is amazing.

[@mattgonzalez1561]

I could watch this video all day. It’s weirdly soothing to watch lol. For the crystal, might have to make the crystal clear resin so that all of the lightsaber colors can show. Also would solve the brightness issue aswell. Keep it coming Adam. Hopefully you can make a series of lightsaber builds in the future

[@kman330_3]

Just a tip for anyone trying to safely grab a piece like that you could use a decent thickness leather strip it works great to prevent scratches and marring while giving a tight fit instead of wood

[@nicholasclaridge4362]

Hi Adam I love your videos, and I notice that holding on to your work in the mill is a regular problem. Please would you consider machining a fractal vice and turning it into a video?

[@Boxxcutter]

Man, your videos give my anxious mind such respite. You're one of my favorite people on the planet and watching you work, listening to you speak and gaining mechanical knowledge distilled from a lifetime of problem solving is truly an amazing experience for me. Thank you for everything.

[@PLr1c3r]

The other day whilst waiting for a 3D print to finish up I was watching a one day build dozed off and awoken in absolute panic. My printer makes quite a bit of noise so Adams workshop becomes white noise mostly but he started up one of his many extremely loud tools and I thought something went catastrophically wrong with my printer. I'm laughing now typing this but in the state of the moment you could say I was less than pleased. Pls keep doing these Adam even if you nearly gave me a heart attack it would still be worth it.

[@wolfwizard2389]

I love how he casually builds a little modern building (looks like a museum or smth) to hold the pineapple in place on the mill

[@garychisholm2174]

It amazes me how things that I would wrack my brain to solve Adam has an instant answer for. That's your 10,000 (x10?) hours of experience right there.

[@RepublicOfUs]

That little flinch at 23:23 is very relatable. I have a pretty entry-level quality dueling lightsaber, and man, has pop culture really burned it into us not to touch a lightsaber blade. I know it won't do anything. I know it's *not* this object from the fantasy sci-fi movie. But, something in my brain really *really* doesn't want to touch the blade once it's lit up.

[@Cheese-McCheese]

I always got taught that engineering is just fancy problem solving with fancy (sometimes) tools Adam here proving that lesson perfectly

[@AsAMonkeyInAPinata]

Those shots of Adam testing the saber during minutes 18 and 19 have so much meme editing potential 😂

[@keith3bros]

Adam! I always love seeing you problem solve and watch you tinker away. I think it would be so cool to see your take on a hardware store build for a lightsaber hilt! I think it would be a great project because it's one that that seems so accessible for the at home maker or beginner makers. It's also a cool way to use up leftover bits and bobs lying around. Maybe two versions? One where you rely just on what you have around with no machining or anything. Just some simple tools and extra bits from the shop. Just a thought :) You've been such an inspiration and taught me so much as a maker and geek. I've been hooked ever since my first episode of Mythbusters when I was just a little girl. Maybe someday we'll get to meet and geek out together.

[@mpgilbertusa]

I’d like to take a moment to appreciate the artistic beauty of the camera work from 14:07 to 14:19. Everything about that is amazing: composition, detail, sound, motion, focus, tone, clarity… all of it. It’s the little details that I love so much in these videos.

[@thomgizziz]

it is a single close up shot... why are you trying to crawl into another persons anus?

[@bignate2155]

I love his Channel because it is right at the time I go to bed and leaves me with something to think about in the morning

[@Bad_Wolf_Media]

At around 5:50, I just now realized what I'm reminded of watching Adam working on the mill.... ....He's like Professor Marvel, the man behind the curtain, in "Wizard of Oz," spinning all the cranks and pulling levers, etc.

[@svgalene465]

Nice solution to the clamping problem, Adam. It was fun watching you work it out.

[@edwardfletcher7790]

For anyone looking to clamp smooth metal without Adams gear, car inner tube rubber and large hose clamps are awesome 👍

[@timsawyer9231]

The floor in Adams shop makes me nervous.. It's pretty clear based on the amount of camera movement when he's walking around that it's not happy with the amount of weight it's being asked to support. It's like he's walking on a trampoline! I really don't want to wake up to the news that Adam's shop floor gave out and something bad happened to him. Fix it ya damn national treasure!!!!!

[@joeselzer850]

I was waiting for him to put the light in the bottom of it that's what I was watching the whole video for

[@decaturoglesby3215]

I love the one day builds. Not only he teaching new ways of doing things but he still make mistakes after years of experiences, showing us that no matter how much you know, you can and will make mistakes. Thanks

[@brennoncantrell5867]

The only good lightsaber build video on KZbin.

[@jasonturner0283]

That was a cool solution to clamp the piece down, although I felt that drop. Ouch! Love to see the builds.

[@DarthPlaya]

Problem solving at it's finest!!! I could watch this stuff for hours.👍🏽Given!

[@piratecheese13]

IIRC you shaped the pummel on the lathe, and a lathe is just a horizontal mill that you can attach stuff to the output on.

[@timparsons3565]

That linear wipe at the end though. **chef's kiss

[@Jackalgirl]

I think that a mostly clear crystal would be great, and I love how the accident turned into an additional detail. I think that if/when that brass tarnishes, it's going to look even cooler. : )

[@MrArcadia2009]

I just love videos like this, to where Adam simply "tinkers". And they are weirdly meditative.

[@sheadonmaas4117]

i’m glad i found this channel i enjoy this kind of stuff a lot

[@CoYoTdeLiMa]

11:23 That Sound!!! Now I have my new notification sound for my cellphone. Thanx, Adam! :)

[@TheRealAlpha2]

I very much enjoy the problem solving that goes into these, and all the custom work that went into this saber. But that brought to mind a question: This is what Adam would make with his own design and machining tools, but a lot of Original Trilogy stuff was made from odds & ends and bits & bobs of random devices to give them that "lived in" look, so what would a custom saber that Adam made from old stuff he already has laying around the shop, without custom machining, look like?

[@olisig455]

There is always a sudden joy when i get a notification about adam savage workshop videos. Always hoping for as long a video as possible 😂

[@nathanr.494]

i like the sound that drilling machine make everytime its turned on. sounds like a hud being turned on and initializing data.

[@j.robertsergertson4513]

At 14:30 When Adam was testing the function ,all I could think about was Rick Moranis as Dark Helmet saying "Ah ! I see your Schwartz is as big as mine"

[@xandergrey4290]

15:45 Sanding wheel in the background going weee xD

[@ocelotsly5521]

Top stuff, Adam. Love watching your projects evolve.

[@jasonfoil9888]

i just really adore the way this man's brain works, and im really really happy i got to grow up watching him and jamie blow stuff up

[@TheInodocamem]

I like how the auto captions describe almost all tool and machine sounds as [music].

[@Keen_Eye]

It's fun seeing you nerd out over light sabers. I got my saber parts from Vire Sabers and recently upgraded the core to a Xeno3 RGB. I would love to make my own fully custom hilt, but I don't have the space or money for machines at home. I could program it for the mill/turn at work, but I'm almost certain they wouldn't let me use it for a personal project. Lol

[@jasons9564]

Adam gets such a seriousness on his face when he turns on the lightsaber. It is now time to save the galaxy.

[@calvinmaffret43]

Looks like Adam needs a fractal vise now for his shop. They look so sick but I wonder how affective they are.

[@mikeu923]

You could have 3D printed custom soft jaws for the lathe to hold that pommel. It’s easy to import a picture and scale it to size with many of the CAD softwares. It may not have been faster but very effective way to old odd shapes.

[@Verity_Auger]

I love watching him tinker in the cave. I pretend that the world is ended, I am legend style, and that he's all alone tinkering away and documenting his days for possible survivors.

[@bentationfunkiloglio]

That milling machine is truly a magical device

[@pumirya]

That is such a wicked cool mod. Not going to lie, I’m jealous. 🙂

[@BlueForceSabers]

Great custom saber build. Love your work!

[@bullpupluver]

Hate how much I love watching him work, inspiring me to get off my lazy bum and be creative

[@jaystonkey]

Please do a lightsaber build at least twice a year please! Love it!

[@SpaceWizardCosplay]

Hey Adam, the saber core is made by LGT Sabers / Damien Sabers. They do spectacular work for those on a budget.

[@elliotthyppolite]

Ive been watching this man since 03 and he's still cool as FUCK. His whole existence is inspirational

[@dave61242]

The brass ring is a very nice addition. I might think about adding some brass highlights to it to pull the theme throughout the saber. Maybe replace some of the screws with brass ones. Maybe that knurled screw holding the blade could be brass. Maybe another brass ring added into the top end. I know, I know, Build your own dam saber and shut up. Just some input to think about is all.

[@CustomChallenge]

Master Savage, known for his excellent saber craftmanship, had survived the event of Order 66 whilst exploring a lead into the Unknown Regions. It is thought that he settled on a planet there and is likely still honing his crafts.

[@QAIRC]

I’ve got to organize my workshop!!!

[@OscarSommerbo]

Why not use the lathe? Soft jaws on the chuck(4 or 6 jaw) and light passes with a boring bar, would probably do the trick, unless I am missing something.

[@henrikhendrickson2375]

I'm not sure I caught what he's trying to accomplish here, but it was changing colors randomly after he finished?

[@teeztoyz]

I think that if you could encase that crystal somehow so you could still see its glow instead of it being exposed, as it is now more fragile and you can no longer use the base to ram or pummel. Granted you'd probably never do that, from a practical perspective would make more sense IMHO.

[@MakeitZUPER]

I was yelling at you to stop with the V blocks and use an inside jaw setup on the lathe. Your mentioning of "doing it by hand" with the disc sander running in the background was amusing, lol.

[@lukejohnson3515]

You need a fractal vice! 😊

[@tested]

Stay tuned!

[@jeragala]

It’s called a “ chassis “ the inside unit

[@stuartsackler2501]

It might be a good idea to use dotstars for the blade.

[@maryduarte3248]

Hi Adam great job for making your own star wars lightsaber

[@TheElvishElvis]

Do you think you could make a wooden lightsaber hilt? I would love to see what you could do with that.

[@YargNayrod]

I am always mesmerized by these wonders, you see a video and you can't stop and move on to the next, there is always something exciting and interesting to see, Thanks Adam Savage, I see your workshop and think of willy wonka and the factory of chocolate, I imagine a film about Adam Savage and the wonder factory. P.s I don't know why but I expected to see the blue stone on the sword's hilt light up 🤔👍😁

[@paulmurgatroyd6372]

4:00 Adam carefully weighs the pros and cons of a rectangular light saber. 🙂

[@MagneticDonut]

Man that workshop is a dream!

[@CorwynGC]

I am confused about why when contemplating making a round hole in a round object one's first thought ISN'T a lathe.

[@Curionimbus]

Always appreciate seeing into your aesthetic and functional modifications. Since we both watch "Inheritance Machining", I couldn't help but wonder if a trepanning tool could have made that brass ring, with less waste?

[@christopherjunkins]

These tools of yours (including the saber, sad to see it fall out of round :( ) never cease to amaze.

[@MrQuickLine]

You can only use those annular cutters once per year

[@xliquidflames]

I'm not a machinist but I never miss a video on this channel. So, I started wondering why removing that internal lip wasn't a job for the lathe. Wouldn't the lathe jaws hold on to the pineapple just fine? It might be an obvious answer but as I said, I don't know much about this stuff.

[@serinfel]

In my humble opinion, 1) it's hollow with thin walls and made out of a soft material. 2) the bore is likely too small on the lathe to get it set in enough to get a good enough hold. 3) very convex on the outside, like a pineapple, which makes it tough to get an accurate/centered hold in the lathe jaws (not impossible, he could have quickly made a tool to hold it, but the way he did it with the mill was easier/more secure, imo). Bonus 4) he got to use the mill. :] I don't remember how thick the walls ended up being on the Pineapple and I don't remember how he held it on the lathe back when he machined the part, the walls look a few mm in some places (when he dropped it, the part warped or at least tweaked the threads pretty bad). The jaws on the big lathe (I might be confusing Adam's gear with Mr Pete's/Tubalcain's) would _probably_ fit, but it wouldn't be a very deep grab because I don't think the bore would be big enough for the Pineapple to fit inward, plus convex outer walls vs straight jaws. The lathe jaws may damage it because of the thin walls and aluminum being soft as it is without having made a special holder for it. Also, he got to use the mill. But don't take my word for it, I'm self taught on a HF 7x10 lathe. I've had lots of fun with that little lathe, tho, and made a few hilts over the years for friends. I can't help but think that new board has a problem, tho. I can't hear the idle hum and it seems to be acting pretty flakey compared to his other board, but it may just be me (viewed on a tablet, no headphones). Edit: Ah, I finished the video. Yeah, the bore is big enough on the lathe chuck, so scratch that reason (wouldn't be on mine, but mines only a little 7x10). See, I really should finish videos before I comment on them. lol

[@MrStew2345]

Is there any reason you couldn't have grabbed it from the interior of the bottom on the lathe?

[@ramdjow2882]

It’s crazy all the tools he has at his disposal it’s like doc brown

[@willuiji_]

The clamping was satisfying as heck to watch

[@mortblackthorn187]

Rather jealous of that shop set up. Mine in still a long time coming.

[@steve-175]

The lights in it makes All the difference

[@MrAcuta73]

Needs a Krayt Dragon pearl! 😉 I could watch milling and/or lathe work all day...something oddly cathartic about it.

[@Laochri]

Don't know what sound module you have, dut you should be able to go in and adjust the accelerometer sensitivity.

[@veganconservative1109]

15:30: A Sith lightsaber? Adam bled his crystal! Argh! I don't know this man! 🙀 18:00: A lightsaber that can't make up its mind on color. I guess that's better? Or maybe like those multi-color writing pens we used to get years ago. Should ditch the red though. Red is trouble. Next thing you know Adam will be constructing Death Stars.

[@dailysrt696]

You have the coolest workshop tools

[@topshelfnerds]

Just a dope saber design Adam!

[@MatthewDeVries]

@adam here's hoping you and yours are safe today. Regardless with how much you love the Mission District community you're clearly going to feel weight of the attack.

[@Mr.Reality3000]

Nice, but Adam, I think one of this days you may build the Event Horizon's core portal device, a true scrazy prop hahaha

[@Dan_Kornfeld]

Isn't the kyber crystal located mid hilt just above the power cell, which makes up the lower end of the hilt? Or is the crystal sticking out of the Adam's pommel meant for something else? The build does look absolutely brilliant 👍‼️

[@sithus1966]

There are various companies that have sabers available. From Simple that cost around $100 with basic RGB lighting to ones with programable cores and light patterns that can go for almost $1,000, and never mind the custom-made versions. I was surprised I could never find anything in the way of anyone who made any add-on parts for them other than internals. Nothing to flash up the outside. I have a less expensive one that I am going to make custom thumb screws for holding the blade rather than using the standard allen set screws they come with. I know it would be a fairly niche market to be in, but no one seems to be even trying that niche.

[@Jayeeyee]

I was so bummed not being able to see the disc sander stop spinning in all of continuous glory. 😭

[@rod370]

Hi, i would have put it in the lathe. and removed the unwanted part of the lightsaber. It seems quicker than faffing about on a drill press.

[@thewatcher6794]

Adam of all people you should know that the crystal goes at the top below the blade emitter and above the energy matrix or switch

[@jamieminton172]

While U were centering the pommel on the mill I was wondering why U did not have a set of precision cones to mount and center. Might be worth looking in to. Waiting patiently for the conclusion... or at least a lighted pommel jewel.

[@alexwake850]

I see you have constructed a new lightsaber, your skills are complete. So cool!