Workshop Destroyed? Start Here

Where should someone start (and what should they avoid) if their shop was destroyed, for example, through fire? Are there any fonts or typefaces that inspire Adam as a maker? In this live stream excerpt Adam answers these questions from Tested members @jimn9811and @wayfarer1549, whom we thank for their support. Where would YOU start if you had to start your shop over?
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[@tested]

Where would YOU start if you had to start your shop over? Adam Savage's New Custom Workbench: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h5iUp6arorGLmbs Join this channel to support Tested and get access to perks, like asking Adam questions during live streams: kzbin.info/door/iDJtJKMICpb9B1qf7qjEOAjoin Subscribe for more videos (and click the bell for notifications): kzbin.info

[@heavenlyrain2293]

Desk, shelves, and storage. That’s always my pet peeve is not having the work space for everything that I need, especially when working on my resin projects.

[@wanglydiaplt]

1) Tablesaw and jigs to rebuild infrastructure 2) Lathe and tooling 3) Chop saw 4) Mill and tooling 5)

[@TristanMorrow]

1.) headspace and mental health. 2.) everything else little by little after? Starting over, for me, was about having space to grieve and the need to feel safe enough to even begin to rebuild. (And get far enough away from the psychotic people in your life intent on destroying the things that bring you joy in life... ) But, yeah: getting a workbench or desk up is the beating heart of it, and then go like the catchphrase from the TV show _Million Dollar Man_ "We can rebuild [the workshop] We have the technology; We can make [it] better than [you ever dreamed of having a workshop before]." But that's just me, and the lens of my aspirations and struggles -- really appreciate Adam talking and show-and-telling tools and projects and the workspace and most importantly the joy and pursuit of hobby.

[@kikijewell2967]

Start with a project. Interests change, needs change, start with a project you want to make now, and build out from what you need for it. Building from projects is the organic way to end up with only what you need.

[@tylercosgrave713]

A machinist's perspective on building a shop from scratch. Never build anything that can't be disconnected and moved in some easy way. No matter how much you want to say "This will never need to move because it will always be here." it is never true. Moved too many shops (mine and others) where objects and shelves and plumbing could not be easily disconnected. After that, as a machinist, I'd start with inspection equipment like a surface plate, micrometers, and gauge blocks. Shapers and cutters and painters are nice, but they mean diddly squat if you have no way of verifying what you made is the right size. And a bench. Adam is right. Always need a bench.

[@hoyks1]

I used to be in the Air Force and every 2 -3 years someone would come in with plans on how to re-arrange the shop to make it more efficient. After 10 years all the shop machines had performed a full orbit the shop and were getting bolted down to pretty much where they started. They finally got it all dialed in shortly before the hangar was demolished.

[@KeritechElectronics]

At Book Art Museum, we had printing presses, type casting machines and all sorts of other antique equipment put on pallets (purpose built out of thick plywood - these things are indestructible) for that very purpose. Moving them was just a matter of using a pallet truck.

[@lw8882]

Made sure to get calipers, surface plate, engineer's square before starting on much. Before doing anything like furniture or benches I'm going to get a level and a straight edge. My dad taught me to never cheap out on measurement gear.

[@ikkentonda]

A pallet jack and gantry crane (in a new shop big enough for both) have changed my life (never underestimate cheap furniture dollies and a hand truck, either). Machines, benches/tables, toolboxes, etc. are trivial to move. Still haven’t figured a good way to move freestanding wire shelves still stacked with stuff, though.

[@bryandraughn9830]

The modular approach found me. 1 shop at a time.😅

[@phillhart2990]

Adam - I had to smile. My late dad, Dave, had a saying. It was something along the lines of "a flat space will gather clutter at a rate, proportional to the surface area". He would have loved your videos. He was an electrical engineer (a fact that I was immensely proud of as a young boy) - then quit the "ladder" to become a self employed cabinet maker... and then later progressed into self taught furniture restoration. I loved the smell of his workshop. You know what I mean, I'm sure.

[@marybrewer2203]

Adam, Adam, Adam. Thank you for these clips. I am not a maker of things, per se, but the answers you give to folks, and the stories you tell in between serve a purpose for the rest of us. I am in my mid sixties now, work at a non-profit diner, and otherwise I am a musician. The ideals reflected in how you do what you do provide useful life lessons. Much love.

[@tested]

What a lovely comment to make. We’ll pass it on to Adam. Thank you!

[@axissquaredllc6190]

I have never subscribed to anyone before, but I subscribed to Tested because of these free flow discussions he has. I recently went full time doing my shop, and his stories and ideas and suggestions just prove to be interesting and helpful. Other channels give interesting info, but only Tested makes me want to sit and really absorb what he's saying.

[@williambecwar7939]

Hi Adam... Suggestion from an old guy who was fortunate enough to be around antique machine shops in Milwaukee. Rubber is OK as a floor material, but cutting oil builds up there and that is impossible to wipe away when there's all those curls of steel, brass and aluminum stuck into the surface. The old machine shops used end grain wood blocks, often something like a 6x6 set in just like tile. Spill some oil? It magically disappears into the wood, which will lap it up by the gallon. And the chunks of metal make that a non-slip surface, plus it is easy to sweep clear as needed. The disadvantage for a shop like yours is that it would have to be a slight step up onto such a floor system (the blocks could be as thin as a half inch, if you aren't moving incredibly heavy loads on them). But that wouldn't be too much different than the rubber mat. That could be a neat infrastructure build, with a sloped wood edging holding the blocks in place, possibly stuck together with some good industrial epoxy. Another advantage is that the oil makes the wood last forever. The shop where I did work was over a hundred years old back in the 1970s, and the wood was holding up better than the masonry walls.

[@DrunkDalek]

Great tips!

[@cupbowlspoonforkknif]

That's so clever! Thanks for sharing.

[@neverendingstudent]

That is a really clever solution!

[@germansnowman]

Now that you mention it, I remember our family printshop having the exact same type of woodblock floor where the Linotype, printing presses and paper cutter were set up. These are heavy machines, with the potential of oil and ink spills. It is a tried and true solution indeed!

[@EerAzuil]

Dear @williambecwar7939, would you happen to know exactly what wood was used, or what kind of wood would be more suitable for this than others?

[@ozpin8329]

I didn't lose my stuff in a fire, but between a messy breakup and having to switch careers, I lost my storage unit due to a miscommunication and it went to auction. I had all of my tools and materials in there. The biggest loss to me was the 60w laser that I would use for hobbies and conventions, two 3d printers, and some personal items from high school twenty years ago. I feel like I'm starting from scratch again, not just in putting a shop together, but putting a life together. Thank you so much for this video.

[@germansnowman]

That sounds like my nightmare. All the best for your recovery from this loss!

[@edbennett8257]

Do not do rubber floor mats near metal working machines. Swarf embeds in the rubber and becomes a permanent nuisance. A much better solution is fiberglass grating. It is light weight and easy to lift for cleaning, but the grating allows chips to fall through to the floor while allowing you to walk around with crunching on them. A quick swipe of your foot over the grating clears the chips from your shoe soles and helps prevent tracking them everywhere. A monthly lifting of the grates for cleaning the chips takes the place of a daily (or even more often) sweeping to keep things clean.

[@bhpipes]

It must depend on the rubber. I’ve had rubber “gym floor” matting wall to wall in my metalworking areas and this is yet to become an issue, after more than a decade

[@B_Van_Glorious]

This is solid advice that I'm going to implement. Thanks for sharing.

[@mistabone3899]

When cutting those grates, wear a mask! We used them in food processing plants (USDA inspected) and they were easy to hose down to clean.

[@germansnowman]

As someone who grew up around a printshop, worked in graphic design for over a decade and is now one of the programmers on one of the leading font editors, Adam’s enthusiasm for typefaces warms my heart :)

[@Kizmar]

I used to do graphic design before I switched to software coding. I loved scrolling through my hundreds of fonts to find just the right one for what I was picturing in my head.

[@BlueLightSpecial2023]

FYI: Futura Bold is the font used on all the Apollo Command and Lunar Module control panels.

[@lukeeverson6605]

Not sure if adam reads these but if he does then i want him to know that i use his videos in the workshop to body double and his videos have actually helped me start making again after mental health issues stopped me for a long time

[@kiruppert]

I took a calligraphy class in Middle School as part of my Art Class and it CHANGED MY LIFE. It changed how i think about art for real.

[@Shadoweclipse1386]

I'm kind of in a similar place (no fire/destruction thankfully), but putting together a shop for the first time in a house (38 year old dude, my wife and I finally were able to buy a house for the first time in both of our lives). I've always had a shop in a garage, but it was ALL of my stuff, and now I've got the luxury of being able to split my shop into 2 places. The 15' × 25' shop in the basement will be more of a clean room (assembly, electronics), and all the saws and sawdust making tools will be out in the garage. What's interesting is all the inspiration I've gathered from many makers on KZbin, including yourself. I do a bit of general making, but am mostly a woodworker. Workbench is absolutely first, but tool stations and storage are right up there for me too. I built an assembly table years ago (with t-track on top for holding down pieces to make sure everything lines up when joined), but may be remaking it to fit onto the top of some cabinet/drawer workbenches. I was always intrigued by your original "f*** drawers" initiative, but have come around to purposeful, dedicated drawers, with either kaizen foam or 3D-printed inserts (like Gridfinity), and I have a feeling that that combination will be formidable ❤

[@charlespatt]

All of my shelves (well, almost all) are the wire frame shelves WITH WHEELS available from San's Club, BJs, or Costco. One is half size with a plywood top as a work bench. They are very flexible in terms of height adjustment. I had to relocate across town (twice) and we just wrapped the shelves with large plastic wrap (stretch wrap), kept everything in place, rolled them into a box truck and easy move to the new location.

[@mistabone3899]

I call those "crash carts" each project gets a 6" tall crash cart with a 8x11" plastic insert to add info or what is needed next. easy to wheel from work station to work station,

[@Charles-lane277]

The sad part is that when you lose your shop kinda lose your physical memories,but they're still in your mind and you still have that passion and encouragement to get back up and start again,this can also give you ideas on how to better prevent stuff like this happening again.

[@mistabone3899]

Try taking over your Dad;s garage, Things you wanted to change and still do, but don't wanna change the memories formed the way it was. Giving away Dad's 12" Circ. saw setup was not easy, but I'd never used it, nor have since gifting it.

[@aviewfinder]

Excellent video Adam. I showed it to my two teenage boys as we are working on putting a new workspace together for a family project. We even had a good font hunting adventure of ‘find Futura’, and they were pleasantly surprised at how many famous logos and film titles used this font. Thank you!

[@warlockpaladin2261]

This was helpful, and I feel better for having listened to this. Thank you.

[@stevefulghum2317]

I love how Adam waxes poetic about how he loves Futura Bold, and doesn't even mention he has his name in Futura Bold right there on his shirt.

[@michaelsnell4034]

I had my tools in a 2 car garage. Due to bad decisions, we became homeless. The tools I had were in my car. Then the car burned one night. I started back with a new set of tools for work that I carried in and out and a harbor freight bucket I divided into quarters. I learned to do the most with the least. I then lost what I hadn't moved of my tools in storage bays. Even now, I try to maximize the space I have and minimize what I simply don't have room for.

[@PersonManManManMan]

God (universe, system, life, call it what you like) really wanted to strip you from the tools that bad, damn

[@kikijewell2967]

Tragic and beautiful story. Feeling your pain, stranger on the Internet. Thank you for sharing. Keep going.

[@WilliamBlakers]

Figure out what you want to make, what tools you actually need to make that stuff, work out your space size, work out what tools are essential to you and find out what size they are and make a plan of your shop and figure out where they can go. Then figure out what tools do you want but can't fit , and see what smaller form factors of thise tools will fit( smaller lathe or milling machine, bench drill press vs floor drill press, big compressor vs small). Ask your self in your past workshop what tools did you always want to be a bit bigger or a bit more powerful. Follow Adam and make a physical model of your workshop. And because I'm a bibliophile, don't forget, books are tools.

[@Radioflyer97]

Just went through this process. I recommend 1) Separating the shop into a "clean/cleaner" area (where there's planning, drawing, screens etc) and a "dirty work" area separating the area with a wall (where you can also mount stuff). Put your HVAC stuff and small hand tools on the clean side. 2) Ideally have the dirty side near an exit door for easy clean out. 3) If you have space, an island style workbench is a great idea (as long as you clean it up after a project) 4) Design locations for your biggest tools first. 5) If possible, build in an exhaust/ventilation system (esp if you do soldering/welding)

[@lw8882]

As someone looking to have their first workshop this is a perfect topic.

[@BionicleFreek99]

Adam: "They screwed up the first edition of my book!" Me: "That's gonna be a collector's edition some day."

[@zertoil]

Personally I love using french cleats but there is one newer design that I love. Instead of a flat bottom you just do the 45 degree angle on both ends so it's trapezoidal. Then you get a lot less play. As for you Adam, it literally blows my mind that every time I randomly watch a video you talk about something you've done and it parallels my life. Like doing graphic design, which I did some schooling for, and the love of fonts. The surprise this time is that we both love Futura for the same exact reasons. Then your take on a workbench and how it grows your shop organically. When it comes to that sort of thing it reminds me about my grandpa. He would talk about how ideas became doodles on a sketch pad, which turned into designs on the drafting table and reality on the workbench. You suggest building things in a 1':1" scale, I learned to draw that way and many of my designs are based off that but I have been dabbling in scale building. Which is only a natural evolution in designing architecture. Though not my job, I find it fascinating.

[@gfixler]

I needed to wrap a gift today, and every horizontal surface in my entire house was covered. The shop axiom has spread to my living areas.

[@ph11p3540]

Sometimes you absolutely need deep shelves despite what Adam says. It really depends on the projects you commonly do. I set aside an 8 foot section of wall just for 96 by 24 inch shelves. Only 2 such shelves are needed and then stash roll a pair of compressors, a shop vacuum cleaner and large vacuum pump. The shelves themselves are there to store large model building jigs and vacuum mold bucks and vacuum clamping cull faces.

[@TheWadetube]

My shop burned down with my house. I stayed at my brothers' abandoned trailer and fixed it up a bit, a friend let me use his barn and it grew from a small room and a dirt floor hall into a 15 by 45 room with a new plywood floor in the old chicken house. Get more space, if you can afford it, allow 10 to 20 % more room. You will want to upgrade some tools and leave off some less used tools. My rule of thumb was not to buy the cheapest tools at Harbor Freight but the middle value tools. As a wood worker I only needed a few thousand dollars worth of tools and people came out of the woodwork to give me their old tools and so I did not have to spend even a thousand dollars right away. I did buy a big sander (6X 48 belt) and a bauer planer and some drills and second hand drill presses and jointer. I did buy a nice new chop saw. The problem is organization. I wired the shop and now need more outlets. I didn't have room for a dust collection system but I was given one so now need to expand the shop for this and other things including a laser cutter/engraver. And after 4 years I have been given a $2,500 240 volt giant table saw for more professional jobs and I love it but it is 7 feet wide and does not fit in my 15 foot wide shop. Plan a wall to hang power tools and hand tools on and label where they go and draw an outline around them once you settle on the best spot for them so you can glance at the wall and tell what is missing. People borrow tools all the time and it irks me to not know what is missing.

[@bunhelsingslegacy3549]

Great idea, I hate not knowing when stuff is missing until I tear the shop apart and still can't find it...

[@TheWadetube]

@@bunhelsingslegacy3549 Then you might consider putting magnetic strips at the backs of tables or sides, not strong enough to erase your phone but just cath drill bits, washers and nuts.

[@bunhelsingslegacy3549]

@@TheWadetube my biggest problem is that the shop isn't MY shop so tools sometimes wander off and aren't put back where they belong, it's been a year since the pneumatic sander has been seen. I do like that idea though, will look at doing it with my workbench but with little stuff, I use my tools at work in various places so a dropped bit may never be found. But we try to keep drill and driver bits in kits so it's easier to tell if something's missing.

[@TheWadetube]

@@bunhelsingslegacy3549 I don't own the building so I have the same problem with tools disappearing. I draw an outline around them so it's obvious that they are missing. I sometimes have to text or ask around and if I still don't get answers I snoop around and find them in odd places or in truck tool boxes. It makes me mad but I am grateful to have the free use of the building and do odd things to help pull my weight, including loaning tools. Some tools I prefer now to keep in my truck or at home.

[@timothywalsh1001]

I lost my home due to illness and bankruptcy. I just landed my dream job,... making insane money and I recently settled a lawsuit. Sooo, I am actually going to build my dream workshop !!! I'm going to make a woodworking shop, and separate metalshop/ automotive. Luckily that is what I did in the past... I am a design consultant. My advice is to think in 3D. Use height to your advantage. Minimize dead areas.. Create work triangle. Keep like operations together. Create a flow path. and PLAN AHEAD.

[@FatherDraven]

I'm having to start from scratch myself but I don't have insurance. Dealt with a severe health issue as my dad was dying from rapid onset dementia. Trying to upgrade from tent shop to Van Shop. Only need like another $400 to pay off the van I found.

[@KeritechElectronics]

Doing stuff on a budget tighter than Ethel Granger's laces... I can totally relate!

[@JeremyStover]

I just got my first shop, and wired it myself. I have no electrical experience, but did my best to follow local code to the best of my ability. I would be absolutely gutted if I lost this, despite how young it is.

[@danjamesdixon9835]

(if you're in the UK) Make sure your sockets have a good earth, your live/neutral are wired correctly, and you have an appropriate RCD and you're good to go 👍

[@JeremyStover]

@@danjamesdixon9835 in the US, trusting the ground from the kitchen separated by about 18.3 meters away. Ran underground with conduit and burial rated wire. From there, a lot of curse words and electrical tape to get 1 switched outlet for the laser cutter and the maker made cnc as an emergency stop, and a couple more ran for overhead power and lights and battery banks for the cordless tools. It's not pretty, but it works! I probably should have an electrician come look at it though lol

[@amochswohntet99]

I think accounting is extremely important. Arranging the space so that more things can be seen allows you to account for things better and more quickly think of possible solutions to a technical problem. It's like walking through a store just to see what's there and to remember what you need, need to do, or what you could do.

[@jimhyslop]

"A horizontal surface will soon be covered" - you mean it's not just me??!? I feel so much better!

[@seanmalloy7249]

The area of my computer desk top not occupied by the keyboard and trackball accumulates crap I have to clean out periodically.

[@Mike6789-rl8ly]

A good labeling system. Every drawer in my shop has a clear label, which for me, is so de-stressing

[@Wild-Dad]

This episode struck very close to home with regard to graphic design. I too was creating visual graphics long before Macs came out. My bible for fonts was my well worn copy of the Letraset catalogue - something I'd get at least every two years depending on the revisions/additions of new fonts and other graphic materials (colour film, tapes, etc). I had several shelves that held the sheets of lettering, colour and graduated film and graphic tapes. My work entailed individually creating by hand on mylar, matte board and foam core, public displays for urban development projects (subdivisions, site plans, architectural models, etc..) that I had designed. They were used as presentations to staff, councils and public meetings. I also share your love of font design and how they can used to portray a certain message. If the wrong type is used, it can totally destroy the intent, urgency, and tone in a message. Imagine if a "Warning - Danger" sign was written in a cursive font like "Brush". My "go to" font was Helvetica in its many forms as well as Arial and Futura. I was also quite proficient in the use of the Leroy hand lettering tools. The introduction of the Macintosh and the development of film that could be put thru a photocopier did change quite a lot of that work. I miss those times especially since I'm no longer in that business

[@x4osw0n]

It warms my heart to know that you have such a passion for fonts. As a teenager I wanted to be a graphic designer badly. I used to design fictional logos. My mom worked in the print industry in the 80's, so I got a lot of early exposure to manual typesetting, physical paste up. One of my favorite things to play with was an old Diatype setup, with stacks of type strips.

[@moisesmarquez8909]

This is too cool! As a recent architecture graduate, I agree with your thoughts on fonts and their importance. Being able to communicate your ideas to others while also not detracting or competing against renderings, plans, or other forms of information is critical in architecture. That's why I loved using Futura so much because of its simplicity and versatility! I even named my third-year project after that font.

[@LateNightWendigo]

I absolutely love how insightful these videos are, I could listen to you share your wisdom and passion for making things all day while I do my own work. You're insanely inspiring to me Adam, looking forward to more Q&As! Ty for being such a cool dude.

[@RAkers-tu1ey]

I have designed and built several small commercial process shops - screen printing, metal fabrication , cabinet making, not as the practitioner, but as the contractor building the shop from an existing empty commercial space. I have these thoughts. Yes, a physical model of the space, and the indispensable pieces of equipment to scale. Separate the three primary types of spaces - Clean, Dirty, and Storage. Storage includes temporary storage of to be shipped products. I can't tell you how often the precious finished products of a small shop are just shoved into available floor space, awaiting packing and shipping. Clean is wherever you have to be certain that contamination can't happen. Is a Spray Booth clean, or dirty? It depends on your product and process. Is welding clean of dirty? same thing. Grinding, sanding, and polishing are almost always dirty. Have Fun!

[@vibratingstring]

Adam comes across as such a likeable legitimate human. I *love* this episode. He was a TV star. We all loved good shows, but they were shows. I suppose this is too but if sure feels direct. I got my first broad nib pen in 6th grade. So yes fonts! Graphic arts! This was a very interesting perspective and I learn new takes on the world every time I turn on Adam's channel. Keep being you, Adam!

[@Syrus54]

i DID have to start over. It wasnt a MABEY for me..... I can tell you where you MUST start: if your stuff was destroyed by a fire, focus on Fire proofing or fire suppression. If youre the victim of robbery: focus on security. In my case (flood), i am focusing on waterproofing (if I store anything below the waterline). Anything above that line SHOULD be ok.....

[@danitbelle6136]

Oh my goodness...! I write everything in Caslon Antique (before, inevitably, having to change it to Times New Roman or something, for university work). It makes everything I put my mind to seem older, and weightier. I love it.

[@kikijewell2967]

I lost my shop in the divorce. Traded my half for my art car. (Peppermint Tesla - salvage tesla built into a Victorian Tea Parlor.) The shop was 20 years of marriage accumulation at weekend yard sales together. The tools were old, dirty and "worthless" - meaning priceless. There would have been no way to divide them based on cost. They were worth more in _time._ My car was worth far more in dollars than the tools, but I knew the cost of the shop in time. He resisted, but in the end, saw what I saw. So he relented and I got my car and he got the shop. As a 100% single mom now, i don't have time for making. But I hope one day to start building out ny shop again... ...one $3 wrench at a time...

[@aunabreslingaming3279]

Helping me destress, I appreciate it, playing this in the background

[@dralbora]

Having graphic design tools/skills in your quiver will never let you down. I also share a passion for typography and was a hell of a type specker back in the day. Long live Haberule!!!

[@timberrecycling]

absolutely love this video. starting with nothing but a bench is THE archetypal first step, and how i started too of course. i love this!!!!!

[@imbigfoot17]

Another metal guy here. As far as shelves go. I avoid the ones with interlocking shelves, they always seem to sag and shift if you try to move them so much as an inch regardless of if you empty them or not. Don’t forget that if your in a small space wheels and casters can be your friend. As far as floor mats go, there a little expensive but I use horse mats as they are extremely durable and easy to clean. Love your advice and content!

[@imbigfoot17]

And don’t cheep out on you air compressor or welder !

[@lauralake7430]

I am just about to move cross country. My “shop” was my covered patio in a part of the country that never froze or really got colder than 50 F. I also worked in my garage for the brief monsoon season. Now, im going to be buying a house in a cold climate and starting from scratch. Honestly, im buying a basement. The house is a secondary concern to me😂😂, i really am more concerned with my shop space, my quilting space, my painting space….ive sold or donated 80% of my tools, only keeping stuff i love. This video is so timely. I really want to be deliberate about setting up a new making space.

[@liquidrockaquatics3900]

Just as a quick aside, Harbor Freight has a an impressive selection of tool storage solutions designed for mechanics to complete with snap-on. Also, they have Stormtrooper White.

[@clayfoster8234]

I recently watched a 35 minute YT video about the Papyrus font that was absolutely fascinating. It dug deep on the history of fonts, the artistic merit of different fonts, how some temporarily become the font dejouer for everything (comic sans anyone?). It was just so engrossing and insightful on what weird and wonderful creatures we are and the weird and wonderful things we create.

[@stepside85]

I had drafting in high school and in my drafting class I, along with a few other students to architecture. These to classes introduced me to lettering which as time went on and in college I switched from architecture to graphic design I grew an interest in fonts. It’s all in the font. Fonts can be used to convey a feeling of whatever it is you’re creating. From a title to a movie to a flyer for a vintage store.

[@jbsbrickkiln9254]

I’m in the process of building my shop space. Not literally building, but I have a space that I’ve been given free rein of. I’m enjoying the organic process of adding things and trying to make sense of my organization. Virtually everything I have in there is used. I’ve picked up a ton of stuff from yard sales, dumpsters, free piles, etc. I love reusing these things, but it leads to challenges as I inherit a lot of mixed parts bins that are awful to sort out.

[@LuisCastillo-tg6xw]

I just finished your book and loved it. Thanks for writing it!

[@lupiaan2021]

sick, I love it when Adam mentions kerning! also remember 'Lettraset' ? LOL

[@markmathews8367]

New shop? In this order: Roof, walls, floor, power, lights, outlets, water (ideally a sink), a good bench, and....french cleat your walls, the whole walls, floor to ceiling (I use 1x4s spaced 14 inches apart). French cleated walls allow all the other decisions to be deferred and then, when made, implemented quickly...and more important, changed easily when ideas don't work out. I french cleated my garage 12 years ago and it has been wonderful. I've done to two more workspaces since then. It is so freeing to not have to work everything out in-advance.

[@pr0xZen]

If applicable, build a sound dampened room at suitable space for air compressor etc. If your shop work is very dusty, put electric panels stuff like that in there. If doing small scale sandblasting, make a small alcove for it that you can close off etc. Basically, if you're starting with a blank canvas to rebuild - if there's something that shuld be kept isolated from your primary space for dust, noise or other reasons, take the opportunity to factor that in early. Including ventilation and filtration if appropriate.

[@msmrx57]

Former signshop owner, I was fortunate enough to be computerized from the start. That being said sometimes easy access is just too much. I often fell back to Futura and my goto serif font was the Clarendon family. Typography is something people give so little thought to but it has such a huge impact on daily life.

[@relishgargler]

When you read the font question I only had to think for half a second before deciding on Futura. Everything you said about it is true.

[@alihaggis78]

My favourite font has to be comic sans. Of all the fonts it is the most easily legible. It's easily recognisable plus it evokes such strong reactions from so many people. That is also why I only use it to annoy people.

[@kennethelwell8574]

Adam, right there with you on the shallow shelves, in the process of swapping out 24” wire shelves for 12” metal bookcases! One big benefit of industrial vs. DIY/wood shelves is built in adjustability, although sometimes the increments can be maddening if you need a half-step to make a layout that works. Workspace and storage need to be in balance. Frequently used materials and tools IN, less frequently used, extras, old projects OUT in storage.

[@kpphotog1]

Yay font nerds! I was in college studying graphics in the early 80's and had so many conversations about fonts, and, of course, had my favorites. One of my favorite experiences was having a chance to use a linotype machine which was what my great grandmother did at a newspaper in the 1930's. Man! What a job to have!

[@douglaspark5262]

My uncle was in Japan in the late 80s. The right place and time to be an entrepreneur. He helped startup and run a company devoted to fonts - Fontworks. The difficulty of getting legible and differentiated Katacana and Kanji into the digital world was quite the challenge back then.

[@tomhorsley6566]

I love the wire shelf units you can put big casters on, I buy a new one every once in a while.

[@EerAzuil]

Love this, as always. Regarding the "making a new makerspace from scratch": As a person with too much noise around me, I would say that investing in a noiseplan could be wise. Maybe at least cover the ceiling in anti-accoustic foam or somesuch. It might cost money, but is definitely one of those things you will never do after you made the space. Same goes for some lighting and electrical plans. But surely I would think about anti- accoustic measures. Good luck!

[@jamesupton143]

I had my hand tools stolen out.of my truck. Insurance company wrote me a check for my loss. When i went shopping to replace what was lost my wife became very upset with me because i replaced every tool and spent every dime of that money on tools.

[@dpsamu2000]

The machine shops I worked at had benches by every machine. I organized the benches in a way that was adopted by all the other machinists. The back quarter of the bench next to the mills had all the holding equipment, heel blocks, all thread rod, nuts, washers, and hold down u-bars,, and other types of hold downs, and soft pads like aluminum plates. The forward part of the bench was for measuring tools, prints, hand tools, vices, and c-clamps (far end). The wall above the bench for cutting tools, drills, mills, inserts, high speed steel, boxes of carbide inserts , and braised carbide tools. Also my tool holders, chucks, multi insert milling heads, and end mill holders. All the machines are set up the same way. A standing drill press may be set up against a wall with a bench beside it, often a mill or lathe bench with a grinding wheel on it. The biggest difference from Adam's shop and the pros is the operator stands between the bench, and the machine. As Adam operates his machines his bench is opposite to his operator position, and he has to either reach over or walk around the machine to access the bench, and there's very little room for access, and the space below the bench becomes an inaccessible dump. Also helps to have the bench to sit on while the machine works. In a pro shop the middle of the shop bay is for traffic of things passing by swinging from overhead cranes, and forklifts. Very unsafe, and illegal to expose the machine operators to all that coming at them from behind. That could hit them or they could step out in front of it. You may say that if Adam had his machines with the operator passage between the wall bench, and the machine then the central passage floor space is smaller. Yes but it is big enough to move most things through, and work that requires more floor space can use alternative spaces even out doors.

[@erikjohansson9039]

I agree with Adam, use the Z axis! Usually you would just fill a space X-Y first then use Z when you are out of space. How nice wouldn't it be if you had a large empty floor area for larger projects or extra work stations you might need in the future because you planned ahead and built vertically?

[@geodesical]

When you started talking about fonts and Futura, I had to pause and check if the Savage Industries shirt used Futura font, and as far as I can tell, it does! Cool to see :)

[@baileyellison642]

10:08 oh I get u Adam. I’m studying to be a graphic designer and I have a great appreciation for futura myself with my limited font knowledge (I haven’t had a deep dive class on fonts yet). But that is so cool to learn that u were a graphic designer back in the day!

[@valerieannrumpf4151]

I moved into a new place last year and I'm in the process of making a new crafting space for myself. One of the things that i did was get some storage draws that can easily be moved around and an industrial strength shelving unit to put my bins of yarn and materials on. I'm still working on it, but its getting there.

[@KeritechElectronics]

Building the storage out on the Z axis is excellent advice. I'd add using typically unused surfaces like the undersides of shelves or slanted ceilings to store stuff. Type nerd here too! My fav is Gill Sans, I love Lato, Baskerville, Poltawski, Centaur, Bodoni, Kabel, Univers, Bahnschrift... and also did some work for the Brygada 1918 restoration and digitization project. It's a 1928 Polish typeface designed for the tenth independence anniversary; it was rediscovered in our matrix storage during my time at the Book Art Museum, and we went for making a digital version for the century of independence. I cast the type from the old matrices for making proof prints, which then were a base for designing a font.

[@tomhorsley6566]

Hey! You forgot to mention lighting in a new shop!

[@tested]

Video coming up!

[@anfa75]

If you create a shop from scratch. A must is to get a storage management app for your phone. Make a storage system for your shop and store your tools and material only in that system. Don't wait, it will be allmost impossible later on.

[@WilliamGreen]

Font Nerd.🙌..I'm lucky enough to have been required to learn hand lettering in art school. The course was discontinued the following year or two. It's a skill I still use almost daily. And had helped to elevate my work over decades.

[@jameshollingshead1845]

I like my shelves about 18" deep. That makes them just deep enough to store a lot of types of containers lengthwise. Most of my shelves are organized with this in mind - the shelves are lined with labeled bins from Sterilite and Ikea. The HDX shelves from Home Deopt are sized such that you can store Sterilite "shoeboxes" and larger Ikea containers 4 wide and 4 high per shelf. If I need the bigger letter sized Sterilite boxes, I can fit 3 across and 2 high.

[@SocksAndPuppets]

Having a good solid working surface is more important to me than the specific tools. I can work with crappy tools (I'll be grumpy) but if I don't have a solid foundation to work *on* I get nothing done.

[@SRMWorkshop]

I lost my shop to a fire about 20 years ago, rebuilding takes time. I would say don't rush it. Let your needs drive your purchases, you may find what you had before was not what you need going forward.

[@reamer1363]

I love how you explain this. 😊

[@elizabethtichenor]

Fonts are everything! Total font nerd here! Love the documentary “Helvetica”

[@loganangus3138]

Fantastic advice!

[@joeolejar]

I'm working on plans for a move of my workshop from a 10X28 space to one 20X30 with real power. I appreciate the advice to keep shelves to 12 inches deep. At this point I am considering the mid line to separate wood from metal.

[@romanglinnik8073]

I'm in the process of planing a microlab in my house. Various parameters ain't going to my liking, especially space is now at a minimum. I need to maximize storage and workspace as much as is possible. So videos like that are quite insightful, thanks!

[@andrewh.8403]

FONTS!! In model structure making (model railroading in this instance) painted wall advertising is quite a thing. A wall ad on the side of a building can tell so much about the era being represented. If you get into that realm, fonts become a thing. Another is junk journals and fields like Harry Potter fan art. FONNNNTS!!! Let your new workspace grow organically. But you gotta start somewhere and we make stuff, so the bench is the first thing. As the Cruel Sea sang, you better get a lawyer son. You better get a realll good one. You need to get a bench son. You better get a real good one. Loss due to fire is always sad. Loss of a your safe space such as your workshop , yeah, it cuts deep.

[@Katya_the_Pyrate]

I was in college during the influx of Mac into the art and graphics world. It crushed me, because I was attending art school to be a graphic artist with a focus on typography! Well, that was a short lived career choice. Anyway, the segment on typeface was SUCH a joy to me. I am constantly playing with type digitally now, but I miss the smell of hot wax and keeping an eye out for rivers! Suggestion for a random project no one asked for, make UPPER and lower cases for your metal stamping letters. I was quite surprised you did not have them cased TBH. Thanks for doing what you do.

[@willhamlyn1908]

So with you. Graphic designer/engineer who loves Caslon and Gotham (my new Futura!)

[@donaldevans5752]

Love the video Adam .

[@831Miranda]

My suggestion as a priority for any shop or studio is : great task appropriate lighting.

[@frankgulla2335]

Adam, you ar a man of passions. Ithink that was what came through in so many episodes of Myth Busters an made such a stark contrast to Jamie.

[@ashleyhamman]

I've been finding myself gravitating toward Franklin Gothic as a font more and more. I used to be into Johnston P22, Gill Sans, and Bahnshrift because I'm a public transit nerd, but something I'm discovering is that a lot of the sans serif fonts are very sharp or feel bolded by default. Hence I find Frankin Gothic to be slightly more organic and curved, and the semi and demi versions are readable without trying constantly call for one's attention.

[@spambot7110]

glad the question asker clarified that the fire was unfortunate, it's always awkward guessing that wrong

[@KurtVW]

It always makes me smile when you start waxing poetic about Futura.

[@ArticWolfv]

this feels like an awesome video game concept "adam savage's shop" and they slowly make a shop and build it over time making more and more projects reinvesting money into said shop. would be fun.

[@subliminalvibes]

"Savage Salvage" 😎

[@subliminalvibes]

Love it! Could be like SIM CITY. "Oops, Earthquake!" "Oh no, plumbing froze over!" Etc etc Great idea. 👍

[@philreynolds7216]

Every “conglomeration of tools” I’ve ever known started with the tools that were needed for the immediate project. Then another project came up, but other tools were needed, so those were added.

[@mistabone3899]

The hardest thing I'm still dealing with, I inherited my parents property and Dad's Garage, that I grew up in and helped build. Changing it to fit my needs today is not easy. I have to move stuff Dad and I moved there 40 years ago, and then the feelings/memories come back. Purging all of Dad's stuff is not easy. But finding an old tool and repurposing it without destroying it or using an old Yankee drill, when the cordless drill dies, there is some satisfaction in that. You can't replace it either. The copper air lines thatv were installed, that I learned how to sweat a copper fititng. You can still see my mistakes, but I embrace them now. 47 years later and still doesn't leak. can't be that bad of a joint right?

[@57WillysCJ]

I am glad his insurance is paying for the tools. So many people don't realize you have to explain to your agent the value of the amount of equipment inside or it might just cover the building. I have met more than a few that were rebuilding from scratch because they thought everything was automaticly covered. I have a lifetime of gathering which will be passed on to my son. If anything happened it can be sort of replaced. Some are antiques so it might be harder to replace. I tell people to think of it as you have an expensive 50 year old classic car with a lot of extra additions. Your regular car insurance will be for the base value of a 50 year old car. You make a list of everything on the vehicle and it's current value to replace and spead to your insurance agent you might have to get special insurance. Same with your shop and tools. You should also try to make an inventory list as well.

[@PetrolJunkie]

I've had to build shops from an empty space. My advice is to take the time to think about what tools and equipment you use most often and put those things closest to your work surface. Design a work surface for your purpose. Drawers, shelves, and tool holders. Build it to suit your needs. Make sure you have plenty of storage. But don't over do it. The more storage you have the more things you collect. If you have room to grow, you will grow into it. That's a universal rule. Plan out where your outlets and lights are. You want lights above workstations. You want outlets close enough you don't have to use extension cords everywhere. You need more light than you think. That is one of the really big pieces. Use every inch of space from floor to ceiling, don't be afraid to layer. But realize that the stuff behind is easily forgotten about. Going up is a better choice. Take this opportunity to organize your workstations and workflow. Get all the drill bits together. All of the hand tools together. Sort through that drawer of random stuff and decide what you really need and don't. If you don't get rid of a good pile of stuff you are not organizing, you're hoarding. Take your time. Don't rush the process. That is where you'll create regrets.

[@bannockchief]

Draw out your workspace to scale, then draw out all of you equipment, benches, storage, etc... Include the work space where you will be standing or working the equipment. Cut out these scale drawings and arrange them in the scale drawing of the shop until they make sense. Think about work flow, material handling, etc...

[@sparkyenergia]

I was also a graphic designer in a former life. My favourite font was and still is 'Souvenir'.

[@mrdabeetle1]

I think I may be a font nerd. I didn't need to google anything to have the exact image in my mind.

[@Shrike58]

Your commentary on fonts makes me want to forward this to my niece, who came out of Kent State with an MFA in graphics art management, and I suspect is still pretty obsessed with typography. KSU I'm told has a great collection of vintage type faces.

[@dpsamu2000]

Playing with fonts was fun. Not as easy to get, and install these days, and not as many available as there used to be. I even designed my own font for my 3d stereographic pinups logo. Named it "Victorian Feminine" as opposed to the common font used for credits in western movies which has square blocks on the points of letter as seen in Victorian era frontier towns. My font has round clover shapes on the points. I used a font called "Klingon Blade" for the title of a small elementary survival kit and survival manual I designed, and wrote. I named the kit "TOOTH AND NAIL SURVIVAL KIT".