I hope he has some sons or successors. It would be a real shame, if this man skills, tools and other stuff would be gone, when he will pass away one day.
I too hope his stuff goes in the right hands that appreciate it like he does. But let's hope dragon dragon man is here for a long time. Hopefully he live to 102
@@crippleshot4810 people dont understand that if you work everyday and have passion for what you do doesnt matter what the industry is you will make it $ wise plus everything he has also creates revenue
Thanks for the tour, Mel. I'm a retired Machinist and you have a beautiful shop. The way you have each machine setup for one job makes it perfect for you to do it all yourself.
DRAGON MAN I'VE BEEN IN MACHINE SHOPS FOR 40 YEARS, AS A MACHINIST AND AS A QUALITY CONTROL MANAGER......AND I MUST SAY I'M IMPRESSED WITH YOUR COLLECTION OF MACHINES AND THE TOOLING YOU HAVE BUILT......TOP NOTCH OPERATION......NO KIDDING I'M IMPRESSED
Hey, Dragon man. Long time subscriber, first time commenting. I felt compelled to comment on your video today because I felt a kinship of sorts. First off, best video ever. I'm retired now, I'll be 65 this xmas. As you were explaining to the viewers from machine to machine I was reminded of my days at the Boeing Co. in Washington state. I started off with an apprenticeship as a tool and die maker in 1973 Iv'e operated manual and CNC machines all my adult life. Later, I graduated to a CNC programmer using CAD CAM on a Catia platform (shell programming) retired from Boeing in 1999. Last program I was on would be the F22 raptor in its early stages before the general public knew about it. There is always something cool about designing manufacturing and machining metal weather it be aluminum, titanium, steel, etc. I'm also a hotrod guy built many a motors all Fords... I know you like the Chevies...lol. Firearms have been in my life since I was about 14 yrs. old. My dad, a veteran of the Korean war taught my brothers and myself all about firearms safety and shooting. Since my retirement I have started to take up shooting in a more active way. Since I have moved to Ca. behind enemy lines I have come to realize how my 2a rights have come under tighter restrictions. I'm glad it hasn't had the same effect on Colorado. Anyway, thank you for all that you do, in educating the public about firearms and mechanics. Still, one of my most watched channels.
And I only thought he did guns....His knowledge is very vast when it comes to Harley Davidson rebuilds I was highly impressed and would get motor done by him. Thumbs up x2 Nice job man!!!
What a shop! There is 2 or 3 lifetimes worth of tooling, parts and layout in there. Wow! The vintage snap on boxes stacked up had me drooling! Clean and smart, plus that guy is a talker.
Mel ypur shop is phenomenal and inspiring! So much time spent physically and mentally to get that shop to where it is at that point! Im sure your as proud of your machine shop as you are of the museum!? Keep it up!👍
Wow, thats incredible. Not just the machinery and tooling, but all the jigs, punches and custom stuff. I could spend the rest of my days in that shop. So cool
Dragon Man makes me want to buy an older Harley just so I can have him build out the motor with all the tricks and goodies. Those tools, machines the entire shop are a builders heaven and can only exist because of a passionate love for what he does. Brilliant man. Thanks to RUclips we get to see all these talented guys we would otherwise not know existed.
And when SHTF happens, milling machine # 3 makes A15 lowers, machine #17 makes AK receivers, The 2 lathes in the back make barrels.......... And you all thought he was serous about making engine parts.
Definitely the coolest guy in the world! I watched your channel years ago for the firearms but had no idea you ride and love machining! Just bought my first mill a few weeks ago! Its a benchtop mill but uses R8 like a Bridgeport. I also ride too, gonna show my GF this video so she can see what she has to look forward to 😆
This guy has everything I could want. Whole arsenal or guns, tanks, vehicles, a kick ass workshop, a nice piece of land, nice house and collectibles. You go dragon man!
I am SEETHING with envy! This setup, and I mean JUST what's in the shot is mpre extensive than LITERALLY the whole machine shop for the company I worked at.
Full service shops like yours have become few and far between, knowledgeable machinist to operate the equipment are even more rare. I am very impressed with your organization and efficiency. 👍
I miss doing this kind of work my father was a machine salesman and we had a complete machine shop down in our basement and for a long time I was rebuilding HD and automotive engines.. my specialty was Automotive/motorcycle carburetors..
His knowledge is fantastic.From machine’s to guns to tanks,he’s probably forgotten more than most people will ever learn.I would give anything to work in one of his shops.I’m a retired diesel mechanic,and presently a gunsmith.The cleanliness of his tools and machines reminds me of me.LOL
Dragon Man has reached legendary status in my book! The attention to detail and how well he’s set up his shop to maximize efficiency is unreal, the amount of knowledge and skill this man has is genius level!
This is a video documentary of meticulous craftsmanship in an unequalled machine shop created to allow the necessary flow of work, unhindered by repeatedly having to set up and re-set up the the machines before work could commence! The huge investment in procuring and setting up each machine shows the commitment to carrying out exemplary work at reasonable rates. I know of no other Engineer or machine shop that has invested so much in order to create such a natural work flow system. This workshop and machine shop enable mechanical mastery to take place, and I would have every confidence in an engine built by this supremely talented and experienced Engineer and Master Mechanic!
I would have loved to have met him out of high school and started working for him! The wealth of knowledge he could of passed on. He is the last of his kind... There won’t be anymore like him... This guy is a national treasure with his Museum! I strongly believe the best thing that can happen to his Museum Collection is sold to the Smithsonian someday where it will be properly preserved for ever!
Great vid.What a wonderful teacher. Thanks for takin' all the time to explain your processes. Most shops don't take the time. This vid will make you some money.Cheers!
I know I'm a year late to comment but I just stumbled upon this amazingly skilled man. I don't even own a Harley but I want to get one just to send it to his shop! If only I had money! 😂 I'm a full time mill operator and a garage fabricator/tinkerer. Sadly I only have a bench top lathe and been saving for quite some time for a Bridgeport.. Now I know why used Bridgeports aren't posted for sale as much as they used to be.. This man is hoarding them all haha. That shop looks like Paradise..
WHOLEY JESUS DRAGON-MAN I thought you had it goin on for the war museum but your shop is impeccable to say the least I now have even more respect for you hard to believe, great job buddy
There's easily 500k in machinery and tooling in that man's shop. My first job was sweeping the floors and running for ice cream at a shop owned by a guy like this. If we did something more than twice in a week he'd have me write the job on the board and look for new machines so they could just stay setup, just like this. Phenomenally efficient but boy is it expensive. I can smell Kenny's shop watching this, there's a unique way years of grinding stones, racing oil and machine steel smell and I love it.
Dragon man your awesome very educated and a dying breed what a Cool guy to have all the collection and knowledge of eany thing imaginable what an awesome collection and a great museum that honors our veterans very cool stuff
Dragon man your the coolest most knowledgeable man with great sharp memory. And we like the shop. It would be a dream of mine to have an organized shop like that. Good job.
This guy is a treasure! A $1000.00 overhaul, or, "remanufactured" Harley engine is cheap and a week-plus return is awesome! He has a "quality assurance" program to check for "issues" and the proper equipment for precision work. If I was a younger man, I'd pay to be an assistant in his shop. And, shojus is correct with his assessment of Dragon Man as a man of a dying breed. As mechanical designs change to the newest environment, fewer "experts" are around to maintain the still popular engines of the past. I am not talking as if the Harley design is an antique per se, but, from a family of engines designed for antique aircraft use. And, let's face it, eventually, all transportation vehicles will be electric, and as a result, his expertise will decline. I say that for a reason. Back in the day, I served with men of his caliber as an aircraft mechanic in the seventies. Of course, the Navy needed technicians for jets, which I was one, however, a squadron next to ours flew the North American T-6 Texan aircraft. A trainer for advancing pilots that required a fast and powerful plane that can shoot targets while maneuvering in a combat environment. The powerplant was a Pratt and Whitney 9-cylinder Radial engine that required a morning preflight process to remove the sparkplugs of the bottom cylinders to evacuate any oil settled between the pistons and the heads. Otherwise, you can have cylinder-lock that results in costly repairs from a start-up. Once drained of low cylinder oil, they often started the engine for a warm-up for the pilot's daily flight. I often was on the flight-line and enjoyed watching the start-up and to see the fire from the Header once it fired. Raw power from a 600hp engine while they set the throttle to 80% warm-up! And, I enjoyed talking to their mechs. However, I met a lot of mechanics of that era that is now gone. They die and take all their experience and knowledge with them. Call it nostalgia if you wish, but, I miss these guys who were the top of their industry. And, I appreciate the men who are still around with such abilities. Obviously, Dragon Man is one of those I truly respect. He may not have worked in aviation, but, he could easily! After all, advanced knowledge of gas and piston engines to the degree he has is a quality rarely seen today. I will watch many if not all his videos for that reason alone. And, the introduction of his shop in this video made me a fan. And, again, who doesn't have a love and interest of Harley Davidson powerplants!? To be set up as he is, he can turn engines weekly and make a fortune!...lol. I will be watching!
The coolest most organized machine shop I have ever seen to date.
Yes!!!! That's a big tell on how well organized he is too...
Instablaster.
REAL men like this are a dying breed! This man knows more than most people will ever dream to know! HUGE props to Dragon Man 4 sure!
I hope he has some sons or successors. It would be a real shame, if this man skills, tools and other stuff would be gone, when he will pass away one day.
I was thinking the same thing! Coming from a car and gun guy. He's a gold mine. Much respect!
@@Spazik86 He has a daughter. She shoots guns.
I too hope his stuff goes in the right hands that appreciate it like he does. But let's hope dragon dragon man is here for a long time. Hopefully he live to 102
Exactly what we we're thinking....holy cow, a one man show, doing all that? Impressive!
I do all this stuff by myself, that way it comes out right the first time. Wise words to live by...
owns museums, lives in a museum, living every mans dream, and.. runs an engine/machine shop-museum too.. damn
And has a beautiful daughter!!
I ran into Dragon Man a few years ago in town. I said "Hi Mel, nice to see you."
his reply, "You don't know that yet."
Is there no limit to this mans skill and knowledge!!!
i thought the exact same he is a legend.
Like a real life chuck norris...
Only if people worked like this to day the world be so much better
Dude you've worked your ass off all your life! You deserve everything you have!!!! Very impressive
YES!!!!!!!!!!!! Wishing you the best always Mel, and your family...you are a rock star we all strive to be like!
Hot rod collection, gun collection, and you even have a machine shop. Dam. I wish you could be my grandpa!
This dude does not stop!!! Literally he must not ever sleep. Guns, hot rods, motors, harleys, schwinn stingrays, a military museum and a toy museum!
yea. where did his fortune start ?
I wanna know how financially he was able to get his start, rich parents maybe?
Working everyday is how he made all of his money. He started with nothing.
@@crippleshot4810 people dont understand that if you work everyday and have passion for what you do doesnt matter what the industry is you will make it $ wise plus everything he has also creates revenue
There aren't enough hours in the day I think...he's awesome!
Thanks for the tour, Mel. I'm a retired Machinist and you have a beautiful shop. The way you have each machine setup for one job makes it perfect for you to do it all yourself.
You just keep getting cooler.
DRAGON MAN I'VE BEEN IN MACHINE SHOPS FOR 40 YEARS, AS A MACHINIST AND AS A QUALITY CONTROL MANAGER......AND I MUST SAY I'M IMPRESSED WITH YOUR COLLECTION OF MACHINES AND THE TOOLING YOU HAVE BUILT......TOP NOTCH OPERATION......NO KIDDING I'M IMPRESSED
Bruce Lee please stop yelling
Hey, Dragon man. Long time subscriber, first time commenting. I felt compelled to comment on your video today because I felt a kinship of sorts. First off, best video ever. I'm retired now, I'll be 65 this xmas. As you were explaining to the viewers from machine to machine I was reminded of my days at the Boeing Co. in Washington state. I started off with an apprenticeship as a tool and die maker in 1973 Iv'e operated manual and CNC machines all my adult life. Later, I graduated to a CNC programmer using CAD CAM on a Catia platform (shell programming) retired from Boeing in 1999. Last program I was on would be the F22 raptor in its early stages before the general public knew about it. There is always something cool about designing manufacturing and machining metal weather it be aluminum, titanium, steel, etc. I'm also a hotrod guy built many a motors all Fords... I know you like the Chevies...lol. Firearms have been in my life since I was about 14 yrs. old. My dad, a veteran of the Korean war taught my brothers and myself all about firearms safety and shooting. Since my retirement I have started to take up shooting in a more active way. Since I have moved to Ca. behind enemy lines I have come to realize how my 2a rights have come under tighter restrictions. I'm glad it hasn't had the same effect on Colorado. Anyway, thank you for all that you do, in educating the public about firearms and mechanics. Still, one of my most watched channels.
It’s “whether” not “weather”
And I only thought he did guns....His knowledge is very vast when it comes to Harley Davidson rebuilds I was highly impressed and would get motor done by him. Thumbs up x2 Nice job man!!!
Thank you for all the great videos. Can You please give us a tour of your tool boxes. Thanks.
wow. ive never even ridden a harley but watching this makes me want to buy one and have you rebuild the engine for me. very awesome
Who else loved this one but did not understand anything
What a shop! There is 2 or 3 lifetimes worth of tooling, parts and layout in there. Wow! The vintage snap on boxes stacked up had me drooling!
Clean and smart, plus that guy is a talker.
I like the task specific tools that he has accumulated over the years. Incredible collection of classic iron with modern brains wired in.
Dragon man's probably forgot what most men will ever know.
This is incredible. I need to meet you dragon man. Your wisdom and knowledge needs to live on.
Mel ypur shop is phenomenal and inspiring! So much time spent physically and mentally to get that shop to where it is at that point! Im sure your as proud of your machine shop as you are of the museum!? Keep it up!👍
Wow, thats incredible. Not just the machinery and tooling, but all the jigs, punches and custom stuff.
I could spend the rest of my days in that shop. So cool
Damn Dragon Man... your a national treasure of skill n knowledge !!!
As an aspiring small cnc shop owner of two years, I feel privileged to see videos from people like you. Absolutely love this. A big thank you.
Love your set up in shop very well organized, my father was a tool and die guy for Bally he'd loved making and solving companies problems
Truly awesome shop. This is what 40+ years of passion builds. Perfect example if you want something done right, do it yourself.
I do all the machining myself and assembly .... Definitely real man old school right there . His shop blows my mind .
I worked about 20 machine shop over 42 years and one once had a riser on a Bridgeport,
Retired now and what a pleasure to see this video.
You got it going on man! Love to spend a few hours in your shop shooting the breeze.
Would we all... Very cool, and sharp as can be...
Mel, what is your hourly rate for all of us to just talk with you? ROFL!!!!
This man just continues to amaze me,the amount of knowledge and skill that he has...
Dragon Man makes me want to buy an older Harley just so I can have him build out the motor with all the tricks and goodies. Those tools, machines the entire shop are a builders heaven and can only exist because of a passionate love for what he does. Brilliant man. Thanks to RUclips we get to see all these talented guys we would otherwise not know existed.
Like I need another reason to like you, still want to come out and visit
Sir, you are a rare person. You know so much and have a treasure tool chest. Thanks for the show.
Good Stuff! Dragon Man has to be the LAST Mohican.
See that.....fully operational, dragon man's catch phrases. Lol
Go Figure most armed man in america a gunsmith Nah lol Builds harley motors ! This never ceases to amaze me
He actually does both.
And when SHTF happens, milling machine # 3 makes A15 lowers, machine #17 makes AK receivers, The 2 lathes in the back make barrels.......... And you all thought he was serous about making engine parts.
I guess you can make a barrel on a lathe but its not gonna be rifled.
hes a class 7 dealer so he can make all the parts if he wants anyway.
Man what a shop I wish I could just sweep the floor just to be there
Nothing like knowing what your doing, very smart setup.
YOU ARE AMAZING! Guns, bikes, being a cool dad, I admire you, God bless!
Whoa! Save some milling machines for the rest of us guys. Seriously though. That is one amazing shop and one unique personality.
Hopefully one day Dragon Man will recruit 12 passionate Apprentices to transmit his wisdom and continue his legacy
always wondered how you afforded all the toys, this explains it!
This is guy is probably the most interesting man on RUclips. A wealth of knowledge on many many subjects.
Definitely the coolest guy in the world! I watched your channel years ago for the firearms but had no idea you ride and love machining! Just bought my first mill a few weeks ago! Its a benchtop mill but uses R8 like a Bridgeport. I also ride too, gonna show my GF this video so she can see what she has to look forward to 😆
This guy has everything I could want. Whole arsenal or guns, tanks, vehicles, a kick ass workshop, a nice piece of land, nice house and collectibles. You go dragon man!
I am SEETHING with envy! This setup, and I mean JUST what's in the shot is mpre extensive than LITERALLY the whole machine shop for the company I worked at.
Now that's a dream shop. OUTSTANDING!!
Full service shops like yours have become few and far between, knowledgeable machinist to operate the equipment are even more rare. I am very impressed with your organization and efficiency. 👍
I miss doing this kind of work my father was a machine salesman and we had a complete machine shop down in our basement and for a long time I was rebuilding HD and automotive engines.. my specialty was Automotive/motorcycle carburetors..
His knowledge is fantastic.From machine’s to guns to tanks,he’s probably forgotten more than most people will ever learn.I would give anything to work in one of his shops.I’m a retired diesel mechanic,and presently a gunsmith.The cleanliness of his tools and machines reminds me of me.LOL
This knowledge can’t die with this man! He is a living legend!
Now this man is a legend! What he knows, some people won't learn in a lifetime. God bless you.
Dragon Man has reached legendary status in my book! The attention to detail and how well he’s set up his shop to maximize efficiency is unreal, the amount of knowledge and skill this man has is genius level!
Wow!!! I can hear him all day long! Dragon man keeps surprising me the more I watch his videos. He holds so much knowledge. Good man!!
This man screams independence! So inspiring. Thank you Dragon Man!
This is a video documentary of meticulous craftsmanship in an unequalled machine shop created to allow the necessary flow of work, unhindered by repeatedly having to set up and re-set up the the machines before work could commence!
The huge investment in procuring and setting up each machine shows the commitment to carrying out exemplary work at reasonable rates.
I know of no other Engineer or machine shop that has invested so much in order to create such a natural work flow system.
This workshop and machine shop enable mechanical mastery to take place, and I would have every confidence in an engine built by this supremely talented and experienced Engineer and Master Mechanic!
I would have loved to have met him out of high school and started working for him! The wealth of knowledge he could of passed on. He is the last of his kind... There won’t be anymore like him... This guy is a national treasure with his Museum! I strongly believe the best thing that can happen to his Museum Collection is sold to the Smithsonian someday where it will be properly preserved for ever!
This guy is so smart , amazing shop he has acquired
This is one hell of a machine shop and the man behind it with the knowledge to run it.
Great vid.What a wonderful teacher. Thanks for takin' all the time to explain your processes. Most shops don't take the time. This vid will make you some money.Cheers!
i dont know squat about building engines but this is the most impressive shop I have ever seen and the knowledge you have is incredible
besides the incredible knowledge. Look at this hands. He is making those engine parts look like they are made of paper. Strong dude.
I have never seen a machine shop that clean??? Wow!! All of the machines are perfectly clean ??? Wow
Clean organized shop. So many look like they are run by hoarders. He has so much invested in equipment to improve accuracy and speed.
fantastic machineshop. just love all the machines for all the different jobs.wish i had the same at my work
I admire his knowledge on everything he touches...amazing..
He welded up the case on my Sportster where the transmission came out of the bottom. Very nice repair that has lasted for years.
Might want to change your heading to Harley Davidson rebuild you will probably get a lot more hits. in turn getting you more business
he does the shit for fun, u know it. he just livin the dream.
From a machinist to dragon man..Awsome setup !!👍👍
What a shop! This man's work is reflected by his shop!
I know I'm a year late to comment but I just stumbled upon this amazingly skilled man.
I don't even own a Harley but I want to get one just to send it to his shop! If only I had money! 😂
I'm a full time mill operator and a garage fabricator/tinkerer. Sadly I only have a bench top lathe and been saving for quite some time for a Bridgeport.. Now I know why used Bridgeports aren't posted for sale as much as they used to be.. This man is hoarding them all haha. That shop looks like Paradise..
Great setup no substitute for experience..👍
ur officially my hero. i wanna be like u when i grow up.
YES!!!
You could spend years working with him and only know a fraction of what he knows. Truly amazing!!
Dream shop, looks like a good place to learn and master the old engines.
WHOLEY JESUS DRAGON-MAN I thought you had it goin on for the war museum but your shop is impeccable to say the least I now have even more respect for you hard to believe, great job buddy
Very nice, well kept shop, knowledgeable, and knows how to make good time on a job.
Waiting for the video when he'll say, "This is my lightsaber, over here are all my ray guns shrink ray, freeze ray, heat ray all fully operational."
truly incredible!! There is A TON of money and man hours in that shop just in the setup alone! very impressive!
You’re an inspiration and an example of why America is so great! Yaa Hoo Dragonman!
he sure is one of a kind!!! this man is one multi skilled hard working dude
Cool shop. Your family must be Proud. Wish everyone had such knowledge we deal with. Best ad you could do. Great job.
Not sure whats more impressive, your amazing firearm collection or your awesome machine shop, both are top shelf and Bad Ass!
I remember seeing Mel’s ads.in the original older Easyriders magazines(pre 1985) ....very cool old school
There's easily 500k in machinery and tooling in that man's shop. My first job was sweeping the floors and running for ice cream at a shop owned by a guy like this. If we did something more than twice in a week he'd have me write the job on the board and look for new machines so they could just stay setup, just like this. Phenomenally efficient but boy is it expensive.
I can smell Kenny's shop watching this, there's a unique way years of grinding stones, racing oil and machine steel smell and I love it.
Dragon man your awesome very educated and a dying breed what a Cool guy to have all the collection and knowledge of eany thing imaginable what an awesome collection and a great museum that honors our veterans very cool stuff
Dragon man your the coolest most knowledgeable man with great sharp memory. And we like the shop. It would be a dream of mine to have an organized shop like that. Good job.
Your knowledge about things is astounding! Love watching your videos, I always learn a shit Ton!
CNC is great and all, but I hope shops like these never go away!
Very impressive shop Dragon Man. Great videos.
I would love 2 learn under u! The knowledge and craftsmanship you have is immense and awesome
Nice shop and great price. If I had a Harley, I wouldn't hesitate to send it to you!
Thanks 🙏🏻 we try to keep them up positive vibes.3.5
This guy is such a inspiration to learn more and keep working hard
Amazing shop! Thank you Dragon Man. Badass!
Man knows his stuff! And I would love to see the place.
Man very well equipped shop and a man that knows what he is talking about!!
This guy is a treasure! A $1000.00 overhaul, or, "remanufactured" Harley engine is cheap and a week-plus return is awesome! He has a "quality assurance" program to check for "issues" and the proper equipment for precision work. If I was a younger man, I'd pay to be an assistant in his shop. And, shojus is correct with his assessment of Dragon Man as a man of a dying breed. As mechanical designs change to the newest environment, fewer "experts" are around to maintain the still popular engines of the past. I am not talking as if the Harley design is an antique per se, but, from a family of engines designed for antique aircraft use. And, let's face it, eventually, all transportation vehicles will be electric, and as a result, his expertise will decline.
I say that for a reason. Back in the day, I served with men of his caliber as an aircraft mechanic in the seventies. Of course, the Navy needed technicians for jets, which I was one, however, a squadron next to ours flew the North American T-6 Texan aircraft. A trainer for advancing pilots that required a fast and powerful plane that can shoot targets while maneuvering in a combat environment. The powerplant was a Pratt and Whitney 9-cylinder Radial engine that required a morning preflight process to remove the sparkplugs of the bottom cylinders to evacuate any oil settled between the pistons and the heads. Otherwise, you can have cylinder-lock that results in costly repairs from a start-up. Once drained of low cylinder oil, they often started the engine for a warm-up for the pilot's daily flight. I often was on the flight-line and enjoyed watching the start-up and to see the fire from the Header once it fired. Raw power from a 600hp engine while they set the throttle to 80% warm-up! And, I enjoyed talking to their mechs.
However, I met a lot of mechanics of that era that is now gone. They die and take all their experience and knowledge with them. Call it nostalgia if you wish, but, I miss these guys who were the top of their industry. And, I appreciate the men who are still around with such abilities. Obviously, Dragon Man is one of those I truly respect. He may not have worked in aviation, but, he could easily! After all, advanced knowledge of gas and piston engines to the degree he has is a quality rarely seen today. I will watch many if not all his videos for that reason alone. And, the introduction of his shop in this video made me a fan. And, again, who doesn't have a love and interest of Harley Davidson powerplants!? To be set up as he is, he can turn engines weekly and make a fortune!...lol. I will be watching!