The Secret Life of Arcade Machines, i-Zombie

[@elcheapo5302]

As a fan of Tim's since I was a child in the 1990s, I can't express how wonderful it is to see new videos from him. Thank you, Tim!

[@TsiolkovskySportingLocks]

totally agree

[@joejoejoejoejoejoe4391]

Science and engineering are so remote in text books; seeing someone stabbing an oil filter of a running engine, or making a fax machine from two lathes is much better,

[@petrichor649]

And still the same soundtrack. Yeaaaa

[@TonyFleetwood]

Ditto! Was watching on PBS back in the early nineties, i am a millwright now 😉

[@_suptype_8255]

Yes. Totally agree too. Amazing.

[@actioncom2748]

For keeping the art of electromechanical arcade games alive, I salute you, Sir!

[@Woffy.]

Tim good to see you are still twiddling with things. Us Boomers need your tangental thinking to keep us sane YT ' Steamhead ' is working on an arcade machine with balls ?.

[@SockFluff]

I fondly remember watching secret life of machines when I was growing up. I recorded almost every episode on VHS tapes, and would watch them over and over again. The episode about televisions was cut short when the tape ran out and I always wondered what I missed. I was thrilled to see the full episode on YT and it made my day. Thanks for all you do Tim!

[@mumiemonstret]

Novelty Automation was one of my three must-sees last summer when I visited London for the first time in my life, and I was not disappointed! I don't know anyone who combines satire, ingenuity and art at this level. Since I've seen so many of Tim's videos many of the attractions were a bit spoiled for me (such as this one, or the shocking photo booth) but I had a great time anticipating and watching my husband's reactions! To me, the lukewarm drool dripping on my hand from the scary robot dog was the biggest and funniest surprise. Nowadays, when not even pinball machines are mechanical, Tim's machines are a truly unique experience!

[@ullibowyer]

The irony is that this video has created another iZombie as I'm watching this on my phone on my way to work! Also Tim you are an inspiration. Thank you for the videos.

[@Reprint001]

One of the very few channels where I watch every video all the way through. Thank you! 👍🏻

[@20chocsaday]

Maybe because he tells a story.

[@Richardincancale]

Fabulous use of the 19th century theatrical trick called “Pepper’s Ghost” !

[@20chocsaday]

Never realised it was so recent.

[@rhysun]

People who forget their phones in the machine should be awarded a special certificate of non-i-Zombieness.

[@20chocsaday]

Lots of us could temporarily disable our phones and unless someone who really knows how it would be like a brick.

[@nobodynoone2500]

Love you Tim. Some great tips. But it is hard to instill creativity into a generation that has no use for it. We needed it to live, for current generations it is a hobby, content. These things we used to do when we were bored don't happen, because the stimulation never stops. We have taken their souls with electronics. Glad someone is trying to give them back.

[@20chocsaday]

We often have to do it at work. Not everything has been laid out for us and certainly not all the time. Although I am not sure who has to be the most innovative in practical work. The experimenter or the janitor.

[@obeseperson]

Chill out lol it’s not so hopeless

[@markpirateuk]

Brilliant engineering, I have been watching Tim's skills for decades, great to see him still making such clever machines!

[@godlugner5327]

The Three-Hour-Free club definitely need their picture taken and left up somewhere as a wall of honor

[@rosseastman2134]

SO glad you're posting a bit more at the moment Tim - your content is always a pleasure, especially as I don't make it to your neck of the woods too often :_

[@joejoejoejoejoejoe4391]

9:48 I used to work on old sock knitting machines, and they were "programmed" by a drum of cams (the cams held on the drum by screws so they could be moved) and the cam drum was driven by a ratchet, but the ratchet was controlled by a chain, it had special links that raised the ratchet paw, so it would take longer for the cam drum to rotate.

[@20chocsaday]

Long lost memory brought to life.

[@gordonwiley2006]

Love a good Pepper's Ghost effect. It works really well here.

[@StubbyPhillips]

Indeed. Too bad most of what passes for "tech media" these days usually calls the effect a "hologram" and most people don't know any better.

[@Ed_Stuckey]

Being an Android user, I suppose I'm an a-Zombie. I watched all the original uploads long ago and was really pleased to see new content being generated. As a subscriber, I'm able to keep up without having to binge-watch as in the past. Thank you, Mr. Hunkin.

[@TheGreatAtario]

A-Zombie S30 5G

[@cyberyogicowindler2448]

In Germany we call smartphone addicts (or people those crash into obstacles by staring at their phone) "Smobies" (smartphone zombies).

[@ceverson99999]

Welcome back Tim!!! I fell in love with your secret life of machines series while stationed in the UK many years ago and still watch them from time to time on KZbin. Please keep making new ones!

[@marcse7en]

"The Secret Life Of Machines" was an utterly fascinating programme, and as well as educational, it was entertaining. It makes me sad to think of it now, due to Rex Garrod, sadly not being with us any longer. You've got to admire Tim, and his amazing inventiveness, and his engineering knowledge. God Bless you Tim, you're a National Treasure. You embody much of what is great about Britain! Long may you continue to educate, entertain, and inspire!

[@mickeyfilmer5551]

It's great to see this new series of videos on Tim's though processes and iterations of the machines. I get a lot of ideas from watching them. Thanks Tim.

[@idark05x]

Every bit is impressive. Great welding work.

[@JELmusic]

Like many others here, I too recorded the shows on VHS-tapes back in the day, and my personal all-time favorite was "Secret life of the vacuum-cleaner" :) Great engineering-inspiration for sure. Thank you.

[@jeeptrail08]

Mr. Hinkin my child hood hero thank you again for another video. I hope you and your family are well and I hope the late Mr Rex's family are well as well. If you ever come back to the US it would be a dream come true to meet you in person

[@battleangel5595]

Glad to see you've been well. And embracing new technology. You are a role model to everyone. Keep learning. Keep inventing.

[@Mr_Spliffy]

Your grandson's got a very cool grandad. Respect sir

[@Ralphs-House]

Soapy water really helps with applying that film Tim. I'm working on a couple of mirror-based arcade machines. I should add, that sharing your thought processes is more important than ever since only us oldies with a hands-on approach to engineering have a clue where to start and even then it is always trial and error. I do a similar thing on my channel in the hope that it will encourage younger people to have a go.

[@TheHughzt]

Another fascinating, entertaining video showing your ingenuity and engineering skills. One thing you gloss over is your artistic prowess which is key part of the design process. The way you sculpt the figures adds to the appeal of your machines and has a distinct 'Hunkin' style.

[@perry8181]

Thank you so much Tim for all you have and continue to share with your fans. I doubt anyone would have thought a low budget tv show over 30 years old would still have a following. It shows that when you put your heart into something it doesn't have to cost a fortune to be informative, entertaining, and inspiring.

[@Axel_Andersen]

Love the social commentry aspect and the execution of the idea! Thank you Tim!

[@oasntet]

Loving this series, Tim. Don't know if I'll ever be able to get to the UK, but if I do I'll definitely have to stop by the arcade and see it in person. We've got so much effort going into maintaining 80s videogames and several decades of pinball, but not many people making new electromechanical ones (outside of a few ticket-giving machines to bilk kids out of quarters...) I had to make a custom belt length for my 3d printer, to transfer the motion of the Z axis to the other side so both would be lifted. It was even trickier than your axis because the join has to go around the toothed wheel several times as the gantry is raised. It took a very sharp needle and thread, and then reinforcing with cloth tape and superglue... But the X axis on the printer is a similar design to your moving guy - it doesn't need to make it around the wheel, so the belt isn't even joined together. It just slots into the carriage on each end of the belt. Very simple, but it would cut down on how far it can move.

[@cyberyogicowindler2448]

In the arcade game he could have simply added a 3rd (e.g. spring loaded) roller to tighten a slightly too long belt to tweak the exact length for the case width. This would also compensate wear or thermal expansion. Car engines often have such mechanisms for their camshaft belt.

[@ClausB252]

Absolutely brilliant! Tim's arcade is on my list of must sees for my next trip to the UK.

[@jhvorlicky]

I visited your arcade in London, last year. Super!

[@davidburke8838]

Thanks you for all of the inspirational and educational material that you have created. My children grew up with re-showings of you and Rex with your splendid explanations of how everyday machines came about and worked. Take care.

[@Seiskid]

This thing is great. From Australia really enjoy these videos. Thanks for showing how it works.

[@jeremythered74]

Awesome to see You again Mr. Hunkin!! I Hope ALL is Well With You And Yours... Sincerely Jeremy in Massachusetts 👍😁👍

[@vladshcherbakov3112]

I like that you are not afraid of your own crazy ideas during prototyping and you are still willing to give them a fair chance. As far as phone addictions, people keep complaining at my job that I don't check my phone often enough, so I guess that means I'm doing good.

[@ElectronicsGuy666]

First, I love that you are still making videos! I was a teenage kid watching the original series on TLC across the pond. It’s awesome that you still have the clear explanations that make things easy to understand along with the hilarious sense of subtle humor- the concept for your game is so damn funny, including the twist at the end where the player is outed as also being an iZombie. As for the silvered mirror- I built a heads up display for a retro themed vintage motorcycle I built last year and the lexan screen wasn’t quite bright enough. I had to add some silvering film to the back side. It’s reassuring to know that I’m doing it correctly since that’s also the way you did it. Thanks, Tim.

[@martinda7446]

Truly a magic man.

[@orlandostead8703]

Tim, loved your secret lives of machines went and saw your automation in London must go to Southwold

[@joejoejoejoejoejoe4391]

It should be repeated, with scrapyard challenge, the great egg race and mythbusters.

[@MalinDixon]

The state of the vice at 14:22 tells you so much about Tim's experience.

[@gaveintothedarkness]

This series keeps getting better! Cant wait to see the secrets behind all the other cool machines!

[@gregg281261]

Dear Tim, You are a deadset genius and an inspiration. Love your work. Gregg, Australia.

[@06Machine]

Tim I just discovered you on U-tube now after seeing some of your videos of your arcades I am now one of your greatest fans.

[@steubens7]

it's really nice to include the ideas that didn't make it, like the moving surround. most people will agree it was a neat idea but hearing the reasons you passed on a neat idea is really useful!

[@lyokofans]

I love how simple and practical the designs are.

[@bryan3550]

Just love your stuff, Tim! We saw your Secret Lives Of Machines decades ago here DownUnder, and revered them then too! 😉

[@bryancmcdonald3978]

Great show.

[@bryancmcdonald3978]

It made me think 🤔? ; can I use a cheat sheet - hay bail chain - WD - 40 - IBM electric typewriter ====== Worm 🐛🪱 drive vending machine ==== The player is at the bottom line a Rock & Scokem robot 🥊 🤖 boxing🤖🥊 set. ====° If one of the zombies fall on you you head pops off . Maybe little sang bags. ===== Military 🪖 post arcade dirt ball Vs. rag bag ====== Plus , Mr. Hulkin thank you for your show. ==== This morning 🌄 I woke up with an 💡 for an Amish Solenoid. A , brass lever handle 5/8 " ball valve . Spring to hold valve open & cable or wire to pull the valve closed from a distance. ===== A , no strings attached idea 💡. 🪂🤸🏡🦥 Bryan

[@Dukefazon]

Some people left their phones!? What if someone else plays the game and now there's two phone in the hold. There are too many personal information, logins, connection on a phone that I would never leave it. I pay my bill, read my emails and keep in touch with friends on my phone but I don't use any social media. I even check the time 99% of the time on my phone, it's so integral to my everday life yet I don't consider myself an i-Zombie :)

[@cyberyogicowindler2448]

An even better ending would be that after taking the phone away, you hear the noise of a grinder like in "Will it Blend?", seeing actual shredded smartphone debris drizzling down behind a transparent window, to make the player think his actual phone had been grinded inside a blender.

[@eskibrew]

Fantastic to see a new series 🎉 For this machine, I'd be interested to know how you're sensing the position of the handles and also how you're determining, via a plc, whether there's been a collision.

[@VulpisFoxfire]

Ah, I was thinking I had missed the explanation of how it detects collisions myself, as I was wondering just how it does it.

[@RCAvhstape]

As if the electromechanical know-how isn't impressive enough, your sense of humor makes all these machines pure joy to see.

[@20bluebug]

That's fantastic! The phone snatcher idea is the icing on the top!

[@sfraser12]

Really good to see new videos. After binge watching all the videos last year I made the effort to go to the arcade in London (I live in Scotland). Fantastic stuff, thanks.

[@maxvideodrome4215]

I live in Canada, visited London a couple of months ago for the first time in 10 years. One of the first places I visited was Novelty Automation - a lot of one-of-a-kind machines in a small shop - was very busy! Had a great time.

[@_RETROFIX_]

These creations are mechanical marvels! Thank you for building and showing them here! Please keep at it!

[@ctrlaltrees]

I played on this just last month at Novelty Automation in London (along with Tim's other machines!), really excellent stuff 😁

[@paulmcdonough9595]

Wonderful to see your videos back on stream Tim.

[@philtulju]

Really glad to see these new videos - the stories behind the development of these unique machines are fascinating and instructive. Thanks Tim!

[@bigjd2k]

That’s awesome! The method of joining the belt is great too. You should get into 3D printing. I was rather skeptical before, but got a Prusa Mk4 and use PETG filament, and can now make structural parts for test jigs at work, like having a CNC shop on your desk! Onshape CAD is a great way to start, it’s really easy to learn. Thanks for more videos, I must visit the arcade soon!

[@madcarew5168]

Thanks...forgotten what fantastic films these still are!!!

[@Miata822]

Clever stuff, especially using the chains as conductors. I imagine it took a lot of fiddling to prevent the mechanism from being seen.

[@cyberyogicowindler2448]

I would have placed a solar cell under each figure and an (e.g. infrared) LED underneath (induction coils or even optical fiber would likely also work).

[@echothehusky]

Glad to see you are posting videos again!

[@Jm4steam]

Enjoy the series. Nice arcade machines. Well explained equipment used/assembled. I always found how you resolved issues very interesting.

[@npf13]

I'm glad your videos are back. Thanks for sharing your ideas!

[@phonotical]

The type of reflection effect is known as the peppers ghost effect, can be used to amazing effects when done properly, the effect goes all the way back to the music hall days

[@clubcyberia8572]

i love the peppers ghost effect!

[@firstlast-tw7hc]

Always a joy! Thanks Tim!!

[@alandrury9955]

Very much enjoying this new series, thank you Tim

[@threesixty8154]

Another brilliant video and inside look at one of your machines Tim, very interesting ! Thanks so much! Cheers!

[@TheCatherineCC]

Great to see another video from you Tim! Thank you!

[@richl6827]

Please continue this series Tim… it’s wizardry of the first order!

[@cyberyogicowindler2448]

I thought when the iZombie player collides with those smombies, his phone would get knocked and fall on the ground. An even better ending would be that after taking the phone away, you hear the noise of a grinder like in "Will it Blend?", seeing actual shredded smartphone debris drizzling down behind a transparent window, to make the player think his actual phone had been grinded in a blender. Please also build an arcade machine with mechanical projected 3D zoom, in the style of Namco F-1 or Sega Heli-Shooter. The effect is surprisingly good for how simple it is made.

[@joshuamilstead8324]

your work is so great! I make games too but I am more on the software side. I love seeing your solutions to problems. Your work is so inspiring!

[@200opdesnelweg]

Nice machine! What about giving the user the option to get a collection ticket for their phone? How many people would actually take the opportunity to be released from their mind control device?

[@PCMcGee1]

You're an international treasure. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us.

[@simoncee9011]

Thank you again Tim, I always enjoy your videos.

[@SandyCrack69]

Another great machine and video. I think the best bit was the cards t the end of the video on where you can actually play your wonderful machines . I’m going to be in London in couple of months for Glastonbury so will pop into to play your machines

[@ericbaier]

Love these videos. Don't stop making things.

[@marrrtin]

Another fine video from Mr Hunkin, the man, the legend.

[@macrumpton]

Your grandson has the coolest grandfather ever.

[@stephenhewitt5835]

Brilliant, keepem coming Squire, anybody giving you a 👎 will be one of the I Zombies that you are fighting

[@richardtwyning]

Good to see another video sir! I was a teenager when I first saw the Secret Life of Machines on channel 4. You should be minister for education 👍🏻

[@fremenondesand3896]

Last Christmas I spent with my family, my dad was deep in mania, and was off of his meds. My grandmother used to deal with it by saying "yes, amen." I dealt with it by zoning in on my phone. I wasn't really interested in what I was scrolling through, it's all tripe anyway, but it was the only way I could cope with him, as confrontation made him furious. At one point he told me to leave and never come back, so I did, but then barred my exit. Yesterday I painted some hammerite onto his old car to try and slow a rust spot. Something relaxing in painting. I must do more of it.

[@d23bw]

Perfect, making a reality into a cool game. You win Tim.

[@jamestregler1584]

Good to see you Tim , thanks from old New Orleans 😎 !

[@jerril42]

Thank you Sir, for another wonderful video.

[@icusawme2]

Always glad to see a video from Tim 👏🏻🎉

[@jagboy69]

Love your work Tim!

[@johanlaurasia]

I too would love to visit the shop... but I'm way over here on the other side of the pond.... maybe someday !!!!

[@TonyFleetwood]

Hinder, twitbit 😂😂😂 You are a national treasure! Your friend Tony in Southern New England ❤

[@sclogse1]

You realize people like him are all over the motion picture industry. They hire the best..like Disney. He's had a huge amount of practical experience already.

[@wyattholm5720]

Good to see you back Tim. Any possibility of making an episode on the history of photography?

[@tastiger91]

Another fantastic machine.

[@RobertBoerner]

Mr. Hunkin is an international treasure, and he must be protected at all costs :-)

[@peterjensen6233]

Always brilliant! Thanks for the lessons.

[@ptonpc]

Another fascinating video. Thank you

[@alexanderose2890]

I am very curious what happens when someone does leave their phone as instructed, and another person plays the game. Are there now two phones in the pocket?

[@remog38]

Another great video thank you so much Tim .

[@jhbonarius]

I once made an acrylic PC case using that semi reflecting car window film, with lights on the case: amazed people back then. This was end of the 90s and RGB want a thing yet. Now you can buy these things off the shelve.

[@alfredgravy6375]

Brilliant, thanks Tim

[@colinmcwallin870]

brilliant! Thank you Tim

[@MrPleers]

Brilliant !

[@TobyRobb]

Belts can be joined with a cable tie also, as in 3D printers. The teeth cannot expand and ride over each other and so stay firmly attached.