Adam Savage's Favorite Tools: Machinist's Blue Layout Fluid

Adam covers an essential tool he's been using a lot lately in his machining journey, and that's Dykem blue layout fluid for making precise marks on material when even a fine tip pen won't do. Adam demonstrates how to use layout fluid with his recommended scribe and explains why it's worth investing in a quality scribe for your projects!

Adam's Everyday Carry in his apron:

Shot by Adam Savage and edited by Norman Chan

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Intro bumper by Abe Dieckman

Thanks for watching!

#AdamSavage #FavoriteTools

[HazeE]

I can hear the singing of a young british blacksmith off in the distance.

[ricklynch]

Aerospace machinist here, another very good way of marking parts, especially deep down in a pocket, is to use a Sharpie marker, blue or black and then spray your air gun on the tip of the marker and it acts like an airbrush. Been doing this trick for years as a machinist. 30+ years, and it works every time perfectly. Remember, hold your Sharpie marker point at an angle and spray with your air hose gun at an angle and it acts like an airbrush, it works amazingly well.

[a.freeland]

Alec steele youtube blacksmith has a comedic video about his love of Blue D. And his hatred for Red D. Its great.

[ahobbit]

In my first machine shop class, OMG, 43 yrs ago now, the instructor had us, as our first mid-term test, build a scribe body like the one Adam is using. Just the body and nothing else. One of the projects on the final was to finish the scribe, complete with the replaceable tip. I have had mine for 43 yrs. I was a very good at welding and so chose that life path, but my son now has all of my tools and still uses them to this day.

[RedHillian]

As an avid follower of Clickspring as well, I've seen so much beautiful deep blue marking fluid and layout (and even used a little myself) - so hearing Adam enthuse in detail is wonderful!

[pirobotbeta]

Have you ever seen stress-reveal lacquer?
A lot like layout fluid, it covers the metal surface but it has a special party trick!
The stuff dries extremely brittle, the slightest bend or flex to the base metal results in patterns of cracks in the lacquer, revealing the amount and direction of the flex.
How sensitive is the stuff?
A shotgun barrel seems pretty rigid, but this lacquer can 'see' the temporary bulge caused by the bullet/gasses passing through.

[Jaqen-HGhar]

I love how even though how he's still trying to get people to buy the more expensive tool unlike most YTers Adam understand that $20 is still a lot of money to some people. Which is saying something when you think about how famous Adam is compared to most of them, he could've easily lost touch with what it's like for people just starting out.

[TheSilent]

Adam, I've been a fan of yours for so many years, and you've helped inspire in me the desire to create and to build things. Thanks for keeping me company all these years, and especially during this pandemic.

[alansmith]

Adam Savage: I am a Machine Operator.
Hospital: We have the records to prove it! =P

[chazfinch]

I like how this show gives Adam a chance to really show his appreciation for the behind the scenes tools that make his everyday making life easier.

[HunterRodrigez]

Me after watching most tool tip videos:
"Oh, that seems like a tool I could use... alright... time to figure out what the hell it's called in my language and if it's even a thing in my country..."

[joshuaschisser]

Dykem also comes in a bingo-dobber style bottle. This is an awesome application that I find makes less of a mess for me. Your results may vary.

[FordMudder]

Adam: Good tools will last a lifetime.


Also Adam: Uses perfectly good calipers to scribe a line.

[jsanti]

Adam, You are one of my favorite tv personalities. I enjoy your spirit and positivity. You give legitimacy to my never ending desire to tinker and build. Be well.

[nattojelly]

His enthusiasm reminds me of my pattern drafting teacher in fashion school. A lovely fellow as passionate about the most delicate work in pattern making

[samus]

He's got so many "favorite" tools that he really should make a video about the only tools he hates lol!

[fatalicus]

Can highly recommend one of the latest videos on the main Clickspring channel, where he tries out different alternatives for what they might have used instead of marking fluid in the ancient world. a very informative video on what properties of marking fluid is important, and what could have been possible in the past.

[mittipannan]

One alternitive is to use the sharpy to paint the houle thing and then scribe that. Works the same way. Sorry for my spelling.

[RyokuKitsune]

if you are working with a mystery scrap pile you can also use marking fluid to tell what type of metal it is. steel and aluminum dry to different shades of blue but magnisum will dry to a more stark shade of purple. while you might say "oh I can tell by whats rusted" sometimes you don't have the time to wait 2-3 weeks for rust and oxide layers to form. plus it takes experience to eye ball that on old cuts just based off the patina that forms. taking a quick brush stroke on a fresh face will tell you what that metal is made of.

[mega]

I grew up watching you on mythbusters with my grandfather who is a macgyver type person and we loved watching the science and crazy fun every week. I also got to go to your exhibit at MOSI Florida and it was so awesome as a kid. It really got me into science and made it fun. I was your video and as I watched it I thought man he is a little crazy, but then I remembered to love science we all need that little bit of wild thought and energy. Thank you for all you do Adam 🙂.