Using Tensegrity To Make an I-Beam Coffee Table With No Legs.

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My name is Alec Steele and I am a 24 year old blacksmith. We make videos about making interesting things, learning about craft and appreciating the joy of creativity. Great to have you here following along!
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Alec Steele Blacksmith 2022

[@Wreckz_Tea]

Only thing cooler than the table is the fact it was done in just 1 video. I, for one, want to see more tensegrity projects. And more single vid projects

[@DMalek]

Yeah Alec is always very good with this. He have a good reputation of never making part series videos.

[@Wreckz_Tea]

@@DMalek *chuckling casually as if to say "there's nobody better at handling a big project and slamming every bit if it into 1 legendary video, and not leave us with cliffhangers and 24hrs+ of time tp watch other stuff and not really worry about it anymore. It turns into a "if I get around to watching it then that's cool but I've got all the hours left in the day to make sure things are handled or not handled depending on what I'm told and It just hits different to get it all wrapped up like a sophomore in highschool who took Std Education classes in freshman year and was forced to see pics of what mens and women's "unfortunate situations" looked like after having sex for the first time and told which STD caused the pictured Man or woman junk that was just shown and told that it's incurable and makes you never able to use your penis again if you ever mess around and let it touch skin to skin with you're girlfriend.

[@alltheeasynamesweregone]

Yeah same. Part videos was the reason I stopped watching this channel regularly. Maximising profit across videos is not good content imo

[@Megatholis]

​@Tea_Wreckz please never comment on youtube again😂

[@DMalek]

@@Megatholis clearly a bot

[@johnsmead5096]

alex, mate, if you want to destroy your shins and toes so badly, just get a razor scooter

[@Rsama60]

Remember in the US he built a bed out of solid steel tubes. He must be used to hurt shins. And also his name is Steele not Woode.

[@orkin2525]

His bed in Montana gave him immunity to shin strikes.

[@rustybstuff3082]

If you look back you'll find he made a bed frame in Montana that was so dangerous that Will got him shin guards for Christmas.

[@kermitthefragg]

Who's alex

[@zyesteve5858]

Damascus razer scooter?

[@garethbaus5471]

The part about the radiant heat being a crotch cooker was unexpected yet hilarious. It makes sense, being near small hot objects is already uncomfortable due to the radiation.

[@nathanmiller9381]

its not nice to call alec small, lol

[@artor9175]

I learned not to wear jeans with metal rivets when working around my foundry.

[@TrackpadProductions]

That was not aomething I was _ever_ expecting to come out of Alec's mouth

[@neuralwarp]

Heheheh Alec has a small hot object

[@AdrienRochereau]

needs a t shirt version like right now

[@efrandom5472]

The synergy between Alec and Jamie is just so amazing

[@davidbreitwieser3591]

Between man and beast 🤙 them bending the beam was hilarious

[@F14Goose37]

Honestly, I was just watching one of Will's videos and missing the Will and Alec days.

[@lake258]

But it will never be better than with Sam. And I mean the REAL Sam!

[@sjv6598]

@@lake258 Sam brought nothing to the channel. Jamie is 100 times better.

[@lake258]

@@sjv6598 burn the heretic!

[@JerryRigEverything]

awesome table!

[@cheesecrumbs380]

Scratch test it? 🤣🤣

[@bontasama4920]

He will put wheel on it and call it Not a table 😁

[@Shrek_Has_Covid19]

poop

[@paulthompson3304]

Terrible design, a wobbly, glass topped table that weighs about 100 kg, just what every home needs.

[@benslater4997]

no you cant tear it down

[@travisa6311]

-10 points Alec never stood on it and proved it could hold his weight

[@senshi-knives]

I doubt it could. The bent pieces that hold all the weight look like they have too many weakpoints where they would start to bent really slowly to the point where the tension on the outside wires isn't enough anymore. It would not fail right away of course.

[@omaristephens2143]

Yeah, given all the wobble (which indicates that the outside stabilization cables couldn't be tightened very much), I'm pretty sure this table wouldn't hold his weight. At the end of the day, the entire weight of the top is being supported by the central compressive element of the base, and what's essentially an off-vertical flat bar isn't going to be particularly robust under compression (and will tend fail by twisting and then buckling).

[@Seraph318]

As someone that is.... the reason for a lot of new protocols at my past workplaces... it is really refreshing watching someone that -seems- as lost as I feel sometimes lol. Just the little things like your item falling off the lathe and the nervous laughter lmao. SO relatable

[@theowainwright7406]

As someone who used to work at a steel supplier the way that Alec just picked up that beam is insanely impressive. That’s that blacksmith strength.

[@eamh2002]

I really want to see him try Captains of Crush grippers from #1 onwards 😎

[@jef777]

Hope he does not injure his back. A lot of smith I know had to change job around 30-40...

[@smctunes]

Hey hey, just had a thought…why not shape those smaller bits of the frame, in the middle, to look like the “S” in your logo? You’d have to cut it perfectly in half, horizontally. But, when seen from the side it would align perfectly.

[@sealpiercing8476]

Gotta have some wires at angles if you want shear rigidity. For example you could swap the outer vertical wires for crossed wires on each face (9 total instead of 5).

[@liambohl]

It's not about the shear rigidity. It's about sending a message.

[@sealpiercing8476]

@@liambohl Wobbly tables are fine too for some folks. I can't judge anyone for that.

[@zach4505]

inverting the V I-beams would allow for diagonal tension cables and allow for symmetry in carving off the dangley boys.

[@sealpiercing8476]

@@zach4505 Ooh, that sounds good too

[@JackBlastem]

That's honestly my concern. I understand how it works and why there is a little wobble. But isn't that little wobble insanely close to total collapse for a sideways force? If you full-on bump into that top won't the whole thing collapse?

[@xero110]

Funny how 100+ years after the bicycle was invented, tensegrity design is becoming popular now.

[@danbowes]

I need to look into this but I'm pretty sure tensegral forse is not the primary force in a bicycle. Are you talking about spokes? If anything centrifugal force overcomes that at even low speeds, unless you're using rope or something.

[@xero110]

@@danbowes Yes, the spokes. The bike 'hangs' from the hub to the top of the rim when someone is sitting on it. You might be thinking of a bike without a rider, keeping itself upright when pushed.

[@ALoadOfOldScrap]

Have you ever seen rope spokes? I saw a video a while back of someone who made them for a trials bicycle so they were under some crazy stresses and worked great

[@asdqwe4468]

@@danbowes Any idea how big the forces on spokes are? Centrifugal forces in a bicycle wheel are no where close to that. And how would that overcome the preload? Bicycle spokes are always in tension. Obviosly thin wires like that can't be loaded in compression very much before they buckle. Most important is that the spokes are preloaded in a way that the weight of the rider doesn't get the lower spokes out of tension (or the upper spokes to stretch too much or yield). And yes you could use rope or string or chain but I guess it's not very practical. Just try to hang your weight on a single spoke and then try to stand that weight on a single spoke. 100kg will stand on a single spoke about as much as it will stand on a string.

[@TheDevilWAH]

This is one of those things that when I thought about it after I saw it mentioned when I was in my 20's I was so obvious. But for some reason even though the physics is clear to see, I never though of a rim as "hanging". Strictly it is not hanging it is balanced of tension, but the hub is being "pulled" by the spokes against the external force, not pushing back under compression. If you watch bikes in slow motion hitting hard edges like a kerb it's surprising how much flex it can absorb and shows what a brillent design a flexible spoked wheel is.

[@inventiveowl395]

This is the most fun I've seen you have on a project in a long while.. Way to go Alec!

[@totoasak6702]

Hello! Huge fan from France and wood worker, just here to tell you a tip, if you make à V or X shape with the external wires you can supress almost all the wiggleling and you can make it very stable in all directions, almost like a regular table

[@DasVERMiT]

Steve Mould's videos are wonderful!

[@scotadam]

We learned today that Jamie is outside Alec's weight class.

[@neuralwarp]

Also that Alec has a p3n1s, and despite his various accidents, it remains uncircumcised.

[@CraveMayhem]

I love Jamie almost got instant karma from scaring you with the coil of wire and nearly lost his manhood in the process hahah.

[@sheldonhammargren7162]

Anyone else impressed by how strong this lad is. Holding out that I beam a lot easier than probably 80% of people could. Madness. Tradey strength

[@usernamewastaken17]

Love the nervous laughter when the tap falls out on the lathe! I think everyone who ever used those machines can relate to that in one way or another XD

[@eamh2002]

That was pretty quick reaction to hit the e-switch though :) First your like "WTF" then "PANIC" then "OH RIGHT KILLSWITCH QUICK!"

[@tomim7187]

This is a total CLASSIC Steele video! Love it! The expression on Alec's face when the chuck falls out of the lathe's tailstock is hysterical!

[@virtual_masters2839]

Ah yes, that old Steele Motto. “Safety third” That must mean the following are the 3 rules of the workshop. Rule 1: if you need a tool, make a tool. Rule 2: if in doubt, grind it out. Rule 3: content first, safety third. Have I missed any?

[@johnsmead5096]

buy once cry once

[@aarbee_]

a grinder and paint, makes me the welder I aint 😉

[@ravencrovax]

Measure once, cut twice.

[@drthmik]

That is the real metric of ALL industry My welding instructor ALWAYS said "Safety third" After all it is _ALL_ dangerous, you're working with explosive chemicals in proximity to molten steel and fire, and often lightning powerful enough to stop your heart while touching an electrically conductive material! So if safety was ACTUALLY first, none of it would be done at all so: first, the Job needs doing You could build a system where the worker uses waldos to operate robot arms in another room to do the job, that would be the safest option if safety was second but that would cost MILLIONS for even a small job, so Second is economics that leaves safety being third

[@stenzeliron6818]

Don’t burn you shwartz off!!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣 love it Alec!!! You’re a frickin mad man!!!

[@justinbanks2380]

11:20 I love that even people with more knowledge and experience, from time to time do things like this too

[@MeriaDuck]

3:43 how did Jamie keep the camera steady and not burst out in laughter 😂

[@SpartanBuilds75]

I distinctly remember Alec promising that he could stand on it by the end, but DID HE? WE WANT TO SEE YOU STAND ON IT! Otherwise, brilliant video and I dig the table too! 😎😜

[@rafaelkayatt]

Man oh man, what would Alec do without Jamieee?

[@bryan1422]

Now that you’re back in the UK, a video with colinfurze would be super cool.

[@robertjames8220]

I've said this before, and I mean it: it is *astounding* that you still have all of your body parts. And I can now add Jaime to that statement. The fact that the wire spool almost got him -- that did make me laugh!

[@stevenbergom3415]

Circumcisions: just one of the free perks when you work for Alec Steele!

[@Lukas-sv1rp]

nice build, i think it will also look interesting with chains

[@allanridesbikes5856]

Safety Third is for sure the theme of this episode

[@Glitchtheplanet]

Two episodes in a week? I’m excited for that

[@enox3547]

The laugh of terror at the end was my favorite

[@hunterchandler3855]

I’ve been watching you for years as a 25 year old now. Love seeing your projects come to life, no matter the size

[@xxhellspawnedxx]

Great build, and the hot dog moment was like *chef's kiss* xD

[@DFXedra2122]

You should make a table vice next, I think it would be a interesting project

[@itsamindgame9198]

I used to work about 1/2 a block away from the Kurilpa Bridge in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. A great example of a large scale complex tensegrity structure.

[@brandonboulton2776]

Respect. Buckminster Fuller is a hero of mine. And the Father of Tensegrity.

[@karljohnson953]

That is a pretty awesome as a first attempt. As a industrial piece it may be one of he coolest things you have built. With smoother lines, sanded and polished cuts you could make a good profit producing these for fiurniture stores.

[@CalebCarterFilm]

This is amazing! Well done! Please make more behind the scenes content too!

[@HaecEsneLegas]

I enjoy these 1 video projects. I love all your projects but prefer seeing it all in one sitting.

[@hazeltollz5695]

This episode was absolutely hysterical!! Love seeing more of Jamie!!

[@pleasetakemynamenow]

I wonder if it will stabilise if the outside cables moved from corner to corner diagonally. Awesome table!

[@Mr-Blitz]

OMG the editing to the metal breakdown with the plasma cutter was pure genius

[@peterbusch4880]

Man, I have watched your videos from almost the beginning and your antics are still as entertaining as ever!!!

[@fredrichardson9761]

Really impressive result! Initially I wasn't a fan of bolts going through that nice glass table top, but given the wobbly nature of the table that seems like a really good idea! 🤣 Excellent video, awesome work and a really nice design!

[@buidelrat132]

Cool! I love it when you are able to include the start and end of a project in one video. Came out nice!

[@jakecox1398]

I just wanted to say that one this is mind melting. And 2 i started welding school not to long ago and just wanted to say thank you for being an inspiration that helped me get into metal working. Its hot and heavy but it makes me feel like im doing something thats worth doing.

[@mikelastname]

Fabulous - I am looking forwards to seeing a "everything I know in one project" tensegrity table made of damascus bladed machetes and fancy hammers.

[@thetrashgoblin]

I gotta say it really is a pleasure to watch you with exspensive equipment make the same mistakes I do with my harbor freight equipment.

[@akselbering291]

All that warping is from the heat your introducing as your cutting Alec! As the material cools back down it shrinks back down, but because the nearby metal that hasn't been heated up resists this shrinking it ends up shrinking less overall creating lots of interal stresses.

[@artor9175]

A lot of it is, but I-beams also have a tremendous amount of internal stresses just from the way they are made.

[@backtoobasics]

I love those tables. Shows just how critical planning is into a project!!

[@jamesellsworth9673]

The cut-out squares need some sculptural detailing to suit the coffee table theme. The same is true for the curved tensioner supports.

[@EitanTsur]

I enjoy seeing your mistakes along with your successes. Here's a thought, do a video on mistakes you've made and learned from. I bet others could learn from your hard lessons, and honestly failing and learning should be embraced more. Also, you can likely improve the stability of the table by angling the perimeter cables.

[@Leo99929]

Well done on immediately hitting the stop rather than panicking 👍

[@scott1armedcarpenter]

That’s an epic table. I’ve seen a few timber versions but that’s a different level.

[@johnbradford9235]

The cable explosion was brilliant 😁😁😁. 😎

[@user-bj7yl4ws5x]

I gotta say this express a lot about your work! Simple, yet awesome! You said it right... It's a sculpture, but a usable one. You became an architect today

[@jrobie8375]

Love watching you make great art, tools and swords. You should make a forged sculpted garden gate for your house!

[@acolize8883]

Glad to see the boys having so much fun

[@jacojoubert979]

Hey Alec I just want to say I love to watch your videos and it always makes my day

[@matloo]

Love the proper blacksmithing going on

[@sbellock5]

I find these tables very interesting, I love when you do art.

[@Micreathonn]

i like how you showed the dust made by the plasma cutter, literally no one else has done that

[@artor9175]

First time I used a plasma cutter in my shop, it completely clogged the brand new air filters. A lot of that steel from the cut is vaporized, and it condenses on the first thing it touches.

[@MrWoundedalien]

awesome video and project! THanks for making it!

[@Dr.Niboshi]

the radiant heat 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@howeslife44]

I loved this! I would love to see you do more furniture and even artwork!

[@filmfan4]

The laughter is magical 😂

[@Lordragoneye]

American structural steel fabricator here...I don't envy you working that steel in the way you choose to do. Great video nonetheless, keep up the good work

[@theredfirecracker3504]

I’m amazed that Jamie’s (what looks like) motor bike boots had that much grip on the floor compared to Alec’s work boots

[@deltan9ne306]

100% they are riding boots and short, shorts.

[@Cargohold]

The perfect woopsie @11:19 made my day lol

[@FXJunky]

Loving this kind of project. Physics for dummies like me .

[@coreycharmley]

I loved this. The comedy in this video was awesome. Thanks for the laughs!

[@funguy123hs]

Love the looks of the table

[@theseventhnight]

You know what Alec, you and your dad should make one with that same "Y" shape out of wood!

[@JeeDee96]

Those projects are so nice !

[@franksinatra2530]

Best project in a while. Love it.

[@brettfontaine4681]

It was the nervous laughter using the lathe and Jamie’s squeal for me. Hilarious and awesome video.

[@TheGarbageGhillie]

This is incredible and mindblowing. If I could just drop everything and work for you and learn this craft, I would.

[@MrAidanfleming]

That looks incredible !!!!

[@philkugler2429]

This has been your best video in a while. Really enjoyed it.

[@iceunicorn3707]

The fact that Jamie is wearing shorts and safety boots is amazing. Making me confident in wearing anything ❤

[@aaron-johnmaclean5450]

love how much fun you guys are having though

[@Max_Brugman]

I absolutely love this table Alec! Im so jealous i cant make these things! Great job!

[@jaredtrp]

This is like the forged replacement for the mancave engine block coffee table.

[@TimothyHall13]

Oh yeah!!! Thanks Alec!!!

[@mrMankx]

Absolute beast of a table!

[@sillyentz]

It stirs your coffee! XD love it. Great build.

[@LashanR]

Such a cool idea!! And it turned out great 🔥

[@smiffy5467]

This was a great single episode build, I would like to see more like this. 👍🇬🇧

[@robertjohnston1920]

I love how far this channel has come over the tears. Great job Alec!

[@eastoforion]

the cable unspool jump scares into the laugh of terror on the lathe emergency stop xD

[@yesjared950]

Always love his videos

[@kzarnold3678]

Wow that just blew my mind

[@GordonGordon]

Dude. This looks so cool

[@supperwelder]

that is 1 super unique and totally awesome table ❤❤❤

[@SchysCraftCo.]

😮. This is so freaking cool. Can’t wait to see more updates an projects and many more videos soon my friend. Keep up the great craftsmanship and hard work my friend. Forge On. Fab On. Weld On. Keep Forge lit. Keep Making. God bless.

[@Punkerage]

This turned out UTTERLY INSANE. Omg

[@markhignett7671]

Best video for a while guys 👍 really enjoyed it

[@bballplayer5555]

You can eliminate the wobble by making your external or stabilizer cables angled from top to bottom. When they are straight verticals what happens is that small angular displacements in the top surface of the table (ie wobble) result in almost zero length change in the cable (ie no compensating tension force generated. If your cables are angled you increase the tension force in the cable with those small angular displacements of the surface. What you can do is replace the single verticals with v’s or w’s or simply have a zigzag all the way around the table by staggering the upper and lower supports. Many KZbinrs just copy the examples as well as manufacturers without looking for improvements. Simply applying this small change should make it dramatically more stable. Hopefully this helps

[@gamercs21]

At first I was trying to figure out how this wasn't a pt 1. Ther ewas no way for Alec to put on the normal amount of artistic detail and craft in just 1 episode. Then, I really started to like the industrial finish and it's absolutely stunning with the raw(ish steel, the smooth and refined glass without the primal cuts and the black hardware bridging the gap between the industrial and modern. It's a stunning piece, well done.