Ask Adam Savage: Ideal Qualities in a Collaborator

Tested Patron Robert Standen asked Adam, "When you need a collaborator for a new project, and you don't have an acquaintance with that skill-set, how do you go about finding someone to work with you?" Here's Adam's answer, which includes call-outs to creators he'd LOVE to work with. Thank you, Robert, for your support and question!

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[rich_in_paradise]

This Old Tony so you're sayin' there's a chance?..

[Communinja]

This reminds me of the often only partially quoted "A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one"

[aserta]

Somewhere, in the far upside downs, from underneath a pile of hand cut proto-gears and and written papers and diagrams, half awoken Clickspring rumbles.
You have to call his name 3 times, Adam. 3 times whilst looking at a hand cut gear of teeth numbering two and ten, held in the left hand whilst the right is performing the holy motions with a fresh needle file.

[RPRiley]

I cannot afford to be a patron, but I am a big fan of this channel. Thank you for this.

[lDesdenne]

When Adam talks about a willingness to screw up and him showing more of his mistakes, I have to say I really appreciate that. I am a tradesman on and off for 6-8 years now? I love and hate it, I love making things and figuring stuff out and learning new stuff, I hate having to do it on a time limit. That hate comes because i battle with being a perfectionist, and things go wrong they always do planning helps mitigate that, but it can still happen, when it happens I get so upset with my self even when no one else is.

In a video I watched recently of Adams, I believe it was "Making a die filer machine" he cuts two pieces of wood that are meant to join together and he does them incorrectly, the opposite way they were supposed to go. And I hope this doesn't sound selfish or something but the way he reacts to the mess up owns up to and fix it makes me feel better about my mistakes.
Here you have a person who has had a long career, learned how to do so many things and do them well and effectively make a simple mistake, which makes me feel a bit better about my mistakes as someone still learning but also responds to his mistake is a non negative way and doesn't let it weigh him down.

To Adam you teach me a lot of cool things on this channel, but I think how you treat mistakes and deal with them is the most important thing in my opinion since its something I have the hardest time with personally in my making and building and i appreciate you keeping it in the videos and wanting it to be a part of them. Thank you for that.

[richard.mcadam]

I would love to see you do a collab with Alec Steele, it great to see young people like him making things. especially in a field like black smithing

[antixgamer]

You should reach out to the guy on the Smarter Every Day channel. I think you guys could come up with something very cool!

[FireballTool]

Camera shy, no way. Working with the master would make me nervous.

[NP-zldz]

The Laura Kampf/Adam Savage bottle opener remains my favourite video on Tested. It was pure joy to witness the problem solving and design that went into getting that sound of the cap pinging off!

[joost]

The Laura Kampf bottle opener is still one of my favorite video's you've done. Starting with a simple but funny idea and just workshopping it until it works.

[PowasaurusRex]

Hearing Alec Steele mentioned in that list was so cool

[LegendVerma]

I'd highly recommend checking out Colin Furze

[OddModlin]

It's amazing how natural and true Adam is talking to camera. Don't know that I'm ever that open and honest in person.

[equesdeventusoccasus]

I think that your videos over the past 8 months or so are some of the best that you have made. You come across more personable and real. Things do not always work right in life.
When makers only show their successes, they do a disservice to the novice who cannot help but see a standard that is impossible to follow., so keep making and keep showing us that you are entitled to be human and make the occasional mistake.

[suijin]

Never be ashamed of failure. Failure is the single greatest learning experience one can go through. My formal background is in Psychology and Law and I make; costumes, props, antique restoration, tailoring (though terrible at it), furniture, and anything else (as long it's cool) for a living.

[embryocean]

I am so grateful for you and your wisdom. Your words are transcend time and space.

[markmilligan]

Hi Adam this is the second video you've mentioned Ted Woodford. He's a great luthier. However you should look into Luthier Ben Crowe (Crimson Guitars) He has mentioned he's a big fan of yours and your tested channel. He clearly watches you and wanted you to join him and others in the great guitar build off

[rolandgdean]

A cool series would be YOU...all over America...collaborating with artisans in their locations (garage-shop and Etsy makers) on THEIR field of expertise. You could "collect skills" as you go. Calling it "Making America" or something catchy like that. Get Etsy to fund it. I would certainly let you in MY shop.

[joeredtoro]

I am that mushroom shape in a Physiological and Psychological presence. I often pondered if I would ever find that one thing I am good at, but with your inspirational videos, I have considered myself as a broad enthusiast builder. Mind you I just stumbled onto this notion this year but I am having the time of my life looking for that next project. Someday I will have the courage to put together a Youtube video of a build. Thanks ... Physiologically speaking I have gained a little bit of weight so that all I am going to say about that. Again, thank you for your inspiration.