Indeed. Tim would make an excellent TV host (as he was in the late 80s/early 90s) The modern day Johnny Ball if you like. There’s not nearly enough of Tim’s kind on TV to educate the next generation of engineers. Amazing man.
@@2Sorts British TV has turned dopey and dumbed-down, with the likes of Greg Wallace “explaining” things in simpleton terms. In the 80s and 90s it was expected that the audience were half intelligent, and now it appears the audience are expected to be halfwits.
I've been a sign guy for over 30 years. I drill holes all day long. Yet here I sit and watch for an hour about making holes. Tim, you are a treasure. Still learning and your real world knowledge is priceless. Love your stuff.
This is THE most useful series on the internet! Sometimes even the most trivial things are useful; this time it was using a magnet to collect swarf and the tip about grinding through the case-hardening to put holes through tooling and the like. I can’t imagine the thousands of new machines you’ve enabled people to build with this series, and probably hundreds or thousands of hours of frustration you’ve saved? Thanks and keep up the great work!
I watched my father patiently wearing through the case hardened edge of a lever with his soft grindstone till he could use a hacksaw to make a shorter lever. Then he case hardened it again as best he could.
Mr Hunkin, I hope you have read all of our comments full of gratitude for your effort in sharing knowledge. Like many, I remember watching your TV series as a little kid, and feel that those programs were critically inspiring to me as a human. Now, as then, I absolutely devour your productions. It was incredible to see you are back at making videos to share your knowledge with the world, and I can’t describe how much I value your work and teaching. I think you are an amazingly expressive creator with a truly unique mind, and your exceptional humility should be a lesson in itself. It is certain that your work has inspired me deeply, and I can’t convey how thankful I am. I need to go visit your arcades one day! It’s a long trip from the southeast US, but certainly memorable for a lifetime!
My father was a Mechanical Engineer & later went into the shop as a Boring Bar Operator, in the Machine Tool Industry. He was also a Diesel Mechanic in the U.S. Coast Guard. Suffice to say, he was well travelled on most things mechanical. In my youth, he shared much of his knowledge, from metallurgy & tinsel strength of metals, to alloys & their various properties. In later years, I went with him to several machine tool shows, where I saw metals cut with EMD, high pressure water/steam, & even laser. I owe him a great deal, for the things he taught me, many of which I use every day. He would have especially loved to see the many things you discussed & demonstrated in this episode. Now in is 80’s, dementia has taken from him most of those memories, and he struggles with the basics. In some ways, this video was a stroll down memory lane, & a reminder of the man to which I owe so much. Tim, thanks for another fine video. :)
Love Tim's relaxed attitude to health and safety nonsense. 08:41 he just casually rests the cuff of his overalls right next to the Very Dangerous spinning tool. Imagine some youngster doing that in "D&T" lessons at school nowadays (assuming they still teach such subjects). The teacher would go ballistic. Also, Tim is obviously my kind of old-school chap. I was delighted to hear him talking about the drill bit being correctly ORIENTATED in the sharpening machine. None of this new fangled "oriented" malarkey. Keep it up! And I love the way he just happens to have THREE angle grinders hanging up and ready to go (presumably tooled up for slightly different purposes). Nice!
Surprised you didn't mention the Q-Max type screw-down punches - these are great for making very clean holes in thin sheet metal, and are also available in square and rectangular shapes. Step drills are also a lot better than twist drills for thinner materials.
Also known as Greenlee punches. I have just a couple for certain connectors that I do a lot of, a much better quality hole than I'd get with the same size drill bit, even if I had a drill that could do that big a bit.
These are just his experiences he's sharing, it's possible that he's unaware of the methods you refer to as he's comfortable with his time-tested methods. Q-max also come in about 30 different sizes at 10 quid each! :)
Try to find the video here that demonstrates the rag trick. It is one of the greatest mysteries of the Universe. No one knows why it works. You place a patch of rag down on the work then the bit on top of it and drill away. It's like a magic trick. Personally I just use step bits. Or a knock out punch. But I have to admit the rag trick intrigues me.
yes have some for 20/25mm round and remember my old mentor having them for DB25 sockets in the early 90s for making up serial ports on box trunking at the university...
Thank You Tim. Watching Rex and yourself all those years ago. Seems like yesterday. Wow time flies. Biter sweet memories. You are a very special person, Creative, Engineering and Fabricator. Truly a genus!
Watching Tim handle the swarf is scary - My colleague was excited about seeing a pile of steel swarf, picking it up to show us, then realized that it quickly became sticky and wet with a red substance! Great episode tho.
They were and are rubbish. What you need is a Leytool drill - I regularly use mine even in preference to my (very nice) cordless drill. Buttery smooth operation, very easy to grip and position precisely
He's certainly got a gift for explaining things. But even just the simple stories of his own experiences are invaluable, given his long career. Think of all the knowledge so many people have. It's a shame more of them don't also have the skill at *explaining* and sharing their knowledge the way Tim does.
@@Pants4096 I often do just that, thinking about all the knowledge we lose with the passing of each person that manages to live a full, productive life. It's such a tragic shame that with all of the advances civilization has made, and all of the technological advancement, we have yet to figure out a way to retain the knowledge gained from the life experiences of our elders. Of course, lately it seems as though the majority of civilization flatly refuses to listen to the voices of reason and experience, unfortunately. I'm afraid we will pay a very high price for our ignorance in the end. There's a good reason that our ancestors cherished their elders, and listened to them when they spoke.
Thank you for all the time you spent making this Tim. I often think old school engineering skills are being lost at an alaming rate. Fortunately you, Mustie1 and Shango66 keep it all alive. And yes, we miss Rex too.
These aren't really "old school" engineering skills. These skills apply, and are just as applicable today in any mechanical, or fabrication setting. These skills are necessary for anyone to efficiently perform tasks today, as they were 50 years ago.
If you look carefully you will notice that the multitude of tins and boxes on the shelves in the workshop, and the much used and loved tools, were there decades ago during the wonderful first series of masterpieces by this great bloke. So refreshing to see a well used workshop rather than a film set dressed up as one, equipped with wildly expensive new tools, clearly a product placement exercise.
Found this channel last night and although I have been working with tools all my life, studied machining at college and make my living repairing things (everything) a bit of shop talk never gets boring.
Tim, thank you! I'm a relatively new maker of things and I find knowledge, inspiration, and lots of entertainment in all of your videos. I can only imagine how much effort it takes to go through all these examples from ideation through filming. Amazing. Thank you!
As a kid I watched SLOM and it really helped starting me off with my own playing with machines and gadgets over the years. Now I am watching you again years later annoying my partner by saying what you're about to say before you say it. All because you helped set me on that path of making stuff.
I love this man! I’ve been following him since “The Secret Life Of…” TV show. It wasn’t just the information he delivered, it was the ingenious ways he simplified a concept so it was straightforward to understand! I have a Makita SDS drill similar to that one and it is the best drill purchase I have made. It drills, hammer drills and hammers. I have chased walls and split paving slabs with the attachments - all with great accuracy.
Your real world examples are very helpful in getting the concepts across. Again, thank you so much for sharing your knowledge in such an accessible and comforting way. PLEASE share more and more. Your channel is my absolute favorite. I only wish I was privy to your earlier work while I was growing up. Alas, in the United Sates I didn't have that privilege.
Tim's videos are a treat! The most unusual drill I have used was ultrasonic, to make a 1mm hole in the wall of a 5mm diameter delicate quartz tube. Plasticine makes a container at the site of the hole for water and carborundum powder, rather like Tim's stoneage sand method. The drill bit is a tungsten needle vibrated at ultrasonic speeds, niftily making a hole in the glass without cracking it.
A genius compilation of techniques which contained many tips even for a seasoned hole driller like me. Thanks Tim. Your videos are pitched perfectly for someone like me who needs an introduction to the subject of, say milling, but doesn't want chapter and verse on the finer details. I must take my kids to your London arcade and show them that engineering can be pure fun. Thanks again.
This “secret life” series is a treasure trove. Not just for us watching today but it’s an archive for future generations. Keep it up Tim and thank you 🙏
Beads of stone& glass, pearls, teeth claws & whatever have been drilled for thousands of years by natives/indigenous people and I've got no F'n clue how they did it & was hoping for more of that. Also, a good hand drill works well, the problem is most are cheap crap constructed, use a decent one & you'll see, even Push Drills about 2 feet long are great when they are quality made. Also, also, THANK YOU for the pilot drill endorsement, can't believe all the big stuff I see done on RUclips(CEE that's you) done pilot-less!!
Been in engineering all my life and having worked on all manner of equipment, much of Tim's stuff is quite familiar to me ........however, rather like reading a favourite and well known book again, I find Tim's shows so relaxing and entertaining. More power to your elbow, sir - keep 'em coming!
Hello Tim, thank you for your wonderful series. I have found it useful to save up old/worn drill bits, and where there's enough, I will ship them off to get them sharpened by one of the many drill-sharpening shops that advertise online. I am quite happy with their work and it feels great to reuse the old pile of drill bits. Cheers -
I just found your channel. I know a lot of this stuff already being 41 years old, but I have still picked up a few things. I love hearing anything from folks like you with a life time of experience. Keep up the videos they are really a joy.
I broke nearly every one of those tiny carbide drills initially. I was using a hobby minidrill - the ones based on a 540 motor, the black and decker version of a Dremel - and it turned out that the chuck just isn't concentric enough. I didn't break nearly so many when I used a collet instead. Later, I got an old 'precision drill' : an ancient device, but made to a much higher standard in the '60s. At first, I tried to put a collet chuck on that too, as I thought I'd start breaking drills again. But I couldn't find one to fit, so I used the original tiny Jacobs chuck. It had no problem.
The secret for stainless is to rotate MUCH slower than you'd expect, but firm downward pressure. Also a great use for those cobalt drill bits that give you trouble in other metals.
Agree with this- slow speed, constant feed, and lots of water have tamed stainless for me. I just use a squeezy washing up bottle bottle for the water but an old boy told me he would immerse the parts completely when he could! Cheaper and less messy than oil. Tune the pressure and speed til you get good curls. A delight to see another video from Tim- thank you!
Dear Mr Tim Humbled by your knowledge and willingness to share the same to us. You are covering all aspects of Engineering, electrical and Controls etc . I run an Engineering workshop in Qatar. You are a treasure trove of knowledge. Please continue your endeavour of sharing the knowledge and great experience . Thanks from bottom of my heart
My thoughts as well but seeing that such a wide range of techniques are involved, one cannot expect real detailed coverage. Not intending to belittle the excellent video, the old saying of 'master of all trades', and what follows, did cross my mind.
My grandfather used regular nails, flattening the tip and cutting off the head for a drill bit in a pinch. One of the first tricks I learned from him ^^ - probably because I was not allowed to take the good drill bits for my own use as a child 😁
Yes, a joiner showed me that trick as a kid, he was making a decorative wood finish for our 'understairs nook'... and broke his only small drillbit, so he took a panel pin, snipped the head off, and used the sharpened edges of the tip as a very effective drill. Also fancy seeing you here :)
@@TheChipmunk2008 These little tricks are more and more becoming a lost art. Showing them off in videos is key to keeping them around. Cause they sure are not worth a page in a histroy book. Also: I subscribe to many tech channels ^^
Can’t tell you how happy I am to see more of these series, Tim. Hopefully you know how amazing these are and how much your work means to all of us. Keep it up and thank you
Really enjoyed watching this. Wish I'd known about your videos when I was teaching Design & Technology (Resistant Materials), I'm now retired. Would have shown them to the students who would have loved them.
You remind me of my grandpa who had a room full on screws, bolts, nuts, washers and many other things i didn’t understand then. Thank you for taking the effort to educate us. Subscribed. Greetings from India
I'm also a self taught machinest/badger too. But always learing new tricks off Tim's videos. BTW, SDS drills work better if you don't put pressure on. There is a sweet spot where you can feel them working well. Often just the weight of the drill is enough.
I studied engineering but ended up as an unskilled assembly worker in Canada. I have learned some of the tricks you presented in my last five years. As a result of your videos, I continue to learn a lot about your trade secrets and I greatly appreciate your videos for that reason.
This is fantastic - how to make the bit that isn't there. I have drilled more holes than I've had hot dinners, by some margin, and I still learned quite a few new things here. I especially love the attention to body posture and leverage. It's incredibly important and I don't think it gets the attention it deserves. Bravo!
My favorite ‘hole’ cutting of all time is the *marble Jali screens at the Taj Mahal* and etc. walls/windows/dividers of solid stone almost as thin, translucent and intricate as lace. The smallest yet most awe inspiring part of the structure imo
I wish you'd have added something about using cutting oil, I remember when my life changed when I found the stuff, almost as magical as discovering flux when soldering.
Tim, you are a National Treasure. What you presented as a "fly-cutter" is usually known as a boring head (and it takes small boring bars as you showed on your lathe). Setting exact diameters can be done by just making a hole that's undersize, measure that, then adjust the diameter (which can be done very precisely). As usual with precision machining take the last deep cut as two about equal halves, the error on the first half can be compensated on the second half and it will come out almost spot on. .. a fly cutter is a bit different, rotates faster and is used for taking (usually very shallow) large facing cuts, which can give a very fine surface finish
If I ever go to England, a visit to the Hunkin arcade is a must. In fact, that would be one of the main reasons for going to England in the first place!
This brought back so many lovely memories of my dad as a tool maker and my school days in metalwork. I need a workshop to use all my tools in and my knowledge of electronics. It also makes my day to see some of the solutions I’ve come up with over the years match yours. I can see your enjoyment in what you do and thank you for sharing. It made my day when I found your channel. I used to secretly watch your programs on my B&W TV back in the day as a teenager. All the best.
On sharpening metal drills: I was told by an old engineer that you know when a drill is blunt if when lightly pressed against the palm of your hand it does nothing when turned. You know it is sharp enough when you can lightly press it against your palm and it easily grips the skin when turned. Obviously requires skin like leather to work, but I can confirm that it is in fact true!
These are all magnificent. I live near Russell Square/Covent Garden and the number of unsung Tim Hunkin treasures around the area becomes obvious after watching this series. So creative.
The bad thing about the cordless drills us that where you press your palm at the rear is right where the motor cooling vents are. For added leverage, I'll occasionally run a ratchet strap around what I'm drilling, and run the strap over the back of the drill. Apply tension as needed. I've been fortunate enough to use a board as a lever to do the same thing, again, strategically placed ratchet straps can provide the force. That added force comes down to the balance of how much you appreciate your drill versus how badly you need the hole. Thanks for the great videos!
Always a pleasure to see a new one from Mr. Hunkin. Stands out like an island in the sea of stupidity that is youtube. Never disappoints. Always genuine.
One really useful tool I discovered during my apprenticeship was the Abrafile. It's basically a round cross-section saw blade that allows you to cut in any direction. It's ideal for cutting irregular shaped holes in sheet metal. Thanks for another enjoyable video.
Tim you're the most humble gentleman. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us. I'm loving the continuation of the series. I watched most all of the shows from the past.
Useful info, as always! I bought a Drill Doctor back when they were the new thing. It worked pretty well for a while, but then the results got wonky - turned out the collet I was using had gotten damaged, so the drill wouldn't be correctly aligned. Stainless is fun, especially when you're dealing with scrap of uncertain provenance and composition. The work-hardening grades are nasty to machine; the free-machining types are not so bad, but don't weld well. That use of EDM was something I hadn't contemplated before. Extra interesting!
Dear Tim, back in the 1930's when my dad got out of high school in New Bedford , Massachusetts, he went to work for the Morse Drill Bit company before he went into the army to fight in WWII.....I have a wonderful drill bit index for numbered bits that is a folding triangle device , stacking the bits vertical from #60 to
Well done sir. There must be uncountable young people bereft of this good simple practical knowledge. I was lucky enough to have been taught both metalwork and woodwork at school ( I must say too that those teachers were the only human beings at the particular school. All others seemed to be Welsh Dalek sadists).
I’m really enjoying these videos and have always been a fan of Tim’s style of presentation. I also like the blend of history and practical tips. Seeing the brace and bit took me back. My dad had one and we used it for everything before finally getting a power drill.
Tim you experience and knowledge is invaluable. PLEASE make as many of these series on as many topics as you can!
Unbelievably kind of Tim to leave us with all his invaluable knowledge.
Indeed. Tim would make an excellent TV host (as he was in the late 80s/early 90s)
The modern day Johnny Ball if you like. There’s not nearly enough of Tim’s kind on TV to educate the next generation of engineers.
Amazing man.
Have you people never picked up a drill in your entire life?
@@2Sorts British TV has turned dopey and dumbed-down, with the likes of Greg Wallace “explaining” things in simpleton terms. In the 80s and 90s it was expected that the audience were half intelligent, and now it appears the audience are expected to be halfwits.
Excellent content and organization. I've never seen a DC motor used for drill press. As always, amazing repurposing by Tim!
I've been a sign guy for over 30 years. I drill holes all day long. Yet here I sit and watch for an hour about making holes. Tim, you are a treasure. Still learning and your real world knowledge is priceless. Love your stuff.
Hello sir. I loved your show on C4 in the day. I watched it with my dad. Thanks.
This is THE most useful series on the internet!
Sometimes even the most trivial things are useful; this time it was using a magnet to collect swarf and the tip about grinding through the case-hardening to put holes through tooling and the like.
I can’t imagine the thousands of new machines you’ve enabled people to build with this series, and probably hundreds or thousands of hours of frustration you’ve saved?
Thanks and keep up the great work!
frustration spared/saved i assume that should read?
@@__Andrew_ Haha, thanks for the proofreading!
I watched my father patiently wearing through the case hardened edge of a lever with his soft grindstone till he could use a hacksaw to make a shorter lever.
Then he case hardened it again as best he could.
These shows get a 10 out of 10!
Always interesting, I can spend hours watching this
Mr Hunkin, I hope you have read all of our comments full of gratitude for your effort in sharing knowledge. Like many, I remember watching your TV series as a little kid, and feel that those programs were critically inspiring to me as a human.
Now, as then, I absolutely devour your productions. It was incredible to see you are back at making videos to share your knowledge with the world, and I can’t describe how much I value your work and teaching.
I think you are an amazingly expressive creator with a truly unique mind, and your exceptional humility should be a lesson in itself. It is certain that your work has inspired me deeply, and I can’t convey how thankful I am.
I need to go visit your arcades one day! It’s a long trip from the southeast US, but certainly memorable for a lifetime!
Thanks for your comprehensive information.
My father was a Mechanical Engineer & later went into the shop as a Boring Bar Operator, in the Machine Tool Industry. He was also a Diesel Mechanic in the U.S. Coast Guard. Suffice to say, he was well travelled on most things mechanical. In my youth, he shared much of his knowledge, from metallurgy & tinsel strength of metals, to alloys & their various properties. In later years, I went with him to several machine tool shows, where I saw metals cut with EMD, high pressure water/steam, & even laser. I owe him a great deal, for the things he taught me, many of which I use every day. He would have especially loved to see the many things you discussed & demonstrated in this episode. Now in is 80’s, dementia has taken from him most of those memories, and he struggles with the basics.
In some ways, this video was a stroll down memory lane, & a reminder of the man to which I owe so much. Tim, thanks for another fine video. :)
Love Tim's relaxed attitude to health and safety nonsense. 08:41 he just casually rests the cuff of his overalls right next to the Very Dangerous spinning tool. Imagine some youngster doing that in "D&T" lessons at school nowadays (assuming they still teach such subjects). The teacher would go ballistic.
Also, Tim is obviously my kind of old-school chap. I was delighted to hear him talking about the drill bit being correctly ORIENTATED in the sharpening machine. None of this new fangled "oriented" malarkey. Keep it up!
And I love the way he just happens to have THREE angle grinders hanging up and ready to go (presumably tooled up for slightly different purposes). Nice!
Tim you are awesome ! Thank you for sharing .
Surprised you didn't mention the Q-Max type screw-down punches - these are great for making very clean holes in thin sheet metal, and are also available in square and rectangular shapes.
Step drills are also a lot better than twist drills for thinner materials.
Agree about step drills, cheap as chips too.
Also known as Greenlee punches. I have just a couple for certain connectors that I do a lot of, a much better quality hole than I'd get with the same size drill bit, even if I had a drill that could do that big a bit.
These are just his experiences he's sharing, it's possible that he's unaware of the methods you refer to as he's comfortable with his time-tested methods. Q-max also come in about 30 different sizes at 10 quid each! :)
Try to find the video here that demonstrates the rag trick. It is one of the greatest mysteries of the Universe. No one knows why it works. You place a patch of rag down on the work then the bit on top of it and drill away. It's like a magic trick. Personally I just use step bits. Or a knock out punch. But I have to admit the rag trick intrigues me.
yes have some for 20/25mm round and remember my old mentor having them for DB25 sockets in the early 90s for making up serial ports on box trunking at the university...
Kids listen to this man! You might learn something! This man knows his stuff!
THE GREATEST intro in history of youtube
Fantastically informative, like your other videos.
Thank You Tim. Watching Rex and yourself all those years ago. Seems like yesterday. Wow time flies. Biter sweet memories. You are a very special person, Creative, Engineering and Fabricator. Truly a genus!
I'll just say it. I wish more old guys would post videos. You're brilliant and you're experience is irreplaceable. Please keep it up.
Watching Tim handle the swarf is scary - My colleague was excited about seeing a pile of steel swarf, picking it up to show us, then realized that it quickly became sticky and wet with a red substance! Great episode tho.
Bet he has very thick skin on those hands.
Budget razor wire
@@petrichor649 LMAO
😬⚠️
Tim Hunkin needs to be recognized in the Honours list.... purely because he deserves it.
I'm glad I'm not the only one who struggled with the old "egg beater" hand drills - they were a real lesson in frustration!
They were and are rubbish. What you need is a Leytool drill - I regularly use mine even in preference to my (very nice) cordless drill. Buttery smooth operation, very easy to grip and position precisely
And I went in thinking I wouldn't learn much on this subject, but as usual, you managed to teach me something new over and over during this episode.
He's certainly got a gift for explaining things. But even just the simple stories of his own experiences are invaluable, given his long career. Think of all the knowledge so many people have. It's a shame more of them don't also have the skill at *explaining* and sharing their knowledge the way Tim does.
@@Pants4096 I often do just that, thinking about all the knowledge we lose with the passing of each person that manages to live a full, productive life. It's such a tragic shame that with all of the advances civilization has made, and all of the technological advancement, we have yet to figure out a way to retain the knowledge gained from the life experiences of our elders.
Of course, lately it seems as though the majority of civilization flatly refuses to listen to the voices of reason and experience, unfortunately. I'm afraid we will pay a very high price for our ignorance in the end. There's a good reason that our ancestors cherished their elders, and listened to them when they spoke.
I’ve been making professionally for almost 30 years and yet still every single video Tim releases teaches me things I never knew. Thankyou tim!
He's an absolute treasure. I have a special place in my heart for truly effective educators. Thank you, Tim!
Thank you for all the time you spent making this Tim. I often think old school engineering skills are being lost at an alaming rate. Fortunately you, Mustie1 and Shango66 keep it all alive. And yes, we miss Rex too.
I am also a fan of Mustie and Shango. I discovered Tim on Secret Life of Machines some 30 years ago.
These aren't really "old school" engineering skills. These skills apply, and are just as applicable today in any mechanical, or fabrication setting. These skills are necessary for anyone to efficiently perform tasks today, as they were 50 years ago.
How’s Rex? Does he have a channel here on YT?
I have found myself watching all of your videos. Keep making videos please!
If you look carefully you will notice that the multitude of tins and boxes on the shelves in the workshop, and the much used and loved tools, were there decades ago during the wonderful first series of masterpieces by this great bloke. So refreshing to see a well used workshop rather than a film set dressed up as one, equipped with wildly expensive new tools, clearly a product placement exercise.
Don’t think I’ve ever been explain how holes work. Ever. This is awesome.
This bloke is brilliant, hes in his 70s and still making brilliant episodes to this day!! Inspirational
Found this channel last night and although I have been working with tools all my life, studied machining at college and make my living repairing things (everything) a bit of shop talk never gets boring.
Puts all the knowledge in one place in an accessible manner. Used to watch "The Secret Life Of Machines" on TV way back when. All very enjoyable.
Tim, thank you! I'm a relatively new maker of things and I find knowledge, inspiration, and lots of entertainment in all of your videos. I can only imagine how much effort it takes to go through all these examples from ideation through filming. Amazing. Thank you!
i'm 60 and learning. Thanks Tim. Wish you long life
It's amazing to me how even with this hour long video there's still so much more detail to go about making holes in things. Like a science unto itself
As a kid I watched SLOM and it really helped starting me off with my own playing with machines and gadgets over the years. Now I am watching you again years later annoying my partner by saying what you're about to say before you say it. All because you helped set me on that path of making stuff.
I love this man! I’ve been following him since “The Secret Life Of…” TV show. It wasn’t just the information he delivered, it was the ingenious ways he simplified a concept so it was straightforward to understand!
I have a Makita SDS drill similar to that one and it is the best drill purchase I have made. It drills, hammer drills and hammers. I have chased walls and split paving slabs with the attachments - all with great accuracy.
Your real world examples are very helpful in getting the concepts across. Again, thank you so much for sharing your knowledge in such an accessible and comforting way. PLEASE share more and more.
Your channel is my absolute favorite. I only wish I was privy to your earlier work while I was growing up. Alas, in the United Sates I didn't have that privilege.
Tim's videos are a treat!
The most unusual drill I have used was ultrasonic, to make a 1mm hole in the wall of a 5mm diameter delicate quartz tube. Plasticine makes a container at the site of the hole for water and carborundum powder, rather like Tim's stoneage sand method. The drill bit is a tungsten needle vibrated at ultrasonic speeds, niftily making a hole in the glass without cracking it.
When they ask if I have an engineering degree, I say nope, but I am subscribed to Tim Hunkin on RUclips. lol
A genius compilation of techniques which contained many tips even for a seasoned hole driller like me. Thanks Tim. Your videos are pitched perfectly for someone like me who needs an introduction to the subject of, say milling, but doesn't want chapter and verse on the finer details. I must take my kids to your London arcade and show them that engineering can be pure fun. Thanks again.
This “secret life” series is a treasure trove. Not just for us watching today but it’s an archive for future generations. Keep it up Tim and thank you 🙏
And here I was thinking... "I wonder when Tim's next video is coming out." And it just came out a few minutes ago!
The idea to catch swarf with a magnet is genius! Thanks for sharing the little gems as well.
I've been looking forward to this next installment. Great work Tim, loads and loads of useful and interesting information.
Beads of stone& glass, pearls, teeth claws & whatever have been drilled for thousands of years by natives/indigenous people and I've got no F'n clue how they did it & was hoping for more of that. Also, a good hand drill works well, the problem is most are cheap crap constructed, use a decent one & you'll see, even Push Drills about 2 feet long are great when they are quality made. Also, also, THANK YOU for the pilot drill endorsement, can't believe all the big stuff I see done on RUclips(CEE that's you) done pilot-less!!
Been in engineering all my life and having worked on all manner of equipment, much of Tim's stuff is quite familiar to me ........however, rather like reading a favourite and well known book again, I find Tim's shows so relaxing and entertaining. More power to your elbow, sir - keep 'em coming!
Hello Tim, thank you for your wonderful series. I have found it useful to save up old/worn drill bits, and where there's enough, I will ship them off to get them sharpened by one of the many drill-sharpening shops that advertise online. I am quite happy with their work and it feels great to reuse the old pile of drill bits. Cheers -
I get so excited every time I see a new video! Thanks for knowledge! Best wishes!
One of the best things on the internet. I can't tell you how happy I am to have found these videos. Thank you so much, Mr. Hunkin.
A far from boring presentation about boring! Keep it up Mr Hunkin 😁
26.14 time, the Jolly Green Giant, was standing behind you. He was born in Le Sueur Minnesota. Thanks,From St.Paul, Minnesota.
I just found your channel. I know a lot of this stuff already being 41 years old, but I have still picked up a few things. I love hearing anything from folks like you with a life time of experience. Keep up the videos they are really a joy.
Welding up and re-drilling a hole so perfectly - masterful.
I broke nearly every one of those tiny carbide drills initially. I was using a hobby minidrill - the ones based on a 540 motor, the black and decker version of a Dremel - and it turned out that the chuck just isn't concentric enough. I didn't break nearly so many when I used a collet instead.
Later, I got an old 'precision drill' : an ancient device, but made to a much higher standard in the '60s. At first, I tried to put a collet chuck on that too, as I thought I'd start breaking drills again. But I couldn't find one to fit, so I used the original tiny Jacobs chuck. It had no problem.
The secret for stainless is to rotate MUCH slower than you'd expect, but firm downward pressure. Also a great use for those cobalt drill bits that give you trouble in other metals.
I agree and will add to that having worked stainless for many years....you need to keep the bit cutting, this avoids it hardening at the cutter edge
Agree with this- slow speed, constant feed, and lots of water have tamed stainless for me. I just use a squeezy washing up bottle bottle for the water but an old boy told me he would immerse the parts completely when he could! Cheaper and less messy than oil. Tune the pressure and speed til you get good curls. A delight to see another video from Tim- thank you!
thank you for passing all of your knowledge along Tim. You are a special person.
The Morse taper is news to me. Love your work Tim; especially the humour.
Splendid video as always Sir.
Holes, who would have thought there was so much in them. I can see you've looked into them quite deeply.
I was excited when I discovered old copies of the original series and I’m still excited every time he uploads a new video. Like the BBCs Bill Nye
Dear Mr Tim
Humbled by your knowledge and willingness to share the same to us. You are covering all aspects of Engineering, electrical and Controls etc . I run an Engineering workshop in Qatar. You are a treasure trove of knowledge. Please continue your endeavour of sharing the knowledge and great experience . Thanks from bottom of my heart
TY 4 reminding me what I use to do as a marine machinery mechanic on nuclear submarines for 33 years!
Can't believe you didn't include step drills, I use them all the time particularly for electronics enclosures.
My thoughts as well but seeing that such a wide range of techniques are involved, one cannot expect real detailed coverage. Not intending to belittle the excellent video, the old saying of 'master of all trades', and what follows, did cross my mind.
I'm sorry to disagree , but you ARE an expert . A brilliant legacy for youngsters to learn from.
My grandfather used regular nails, flattening the tip and cutting off the head for a drill bit in a pinch. One of the first tricks I learned from him ^^ - probably because I was not allowed to take the good drill bits for my own use as a child 😁
Yes, a joiner showed me that trick as a kid, he was making a decorative wood finish for our 'understairs nook'... and broke his only small drillbit, so he took a panel pin, snipped the head off, and used the sharpened edges of the tip as a very effective drill. Also fancy seeing you here :)
@@TheChipmunk2008 These little tricks are more and more becoming a lost art. Showing them off in videos is key to keeping them around. Cause they sure are not worth a page in a histroy book. Also: I subscribe to many tech channels ^^
Can’t tell you how happy I am to see more of these series, Tim.
Hopefully you know how amazing these are and how much your work means to all of us.
Keep it up and thank you
Really enjoyed watching this. Wish I'd known about your videos when I was teaching Design & Technology (Resistant Materials), I'm now retired. Would have shown them to the students who would have loved them.
You remind me of my grandpa who had a room full on screws, bolts, nuts, washers and many other things i didn’t understand then.
Thank you for taking the effort to educate us.
Subscribed. Greetings from India
I was going to sleep tonight, no, new video from Tim!
I'm also a self taught machinest/badger too. But always learing new tricks off Tim's videos.
BTW, SDS drills work better if you don't put pressure on. There is a sweet spot where you can feel them working well. Often just the weight of the drill is enough.
You sort of let the bit float in the hole, not too many people actually know this, most just push like hell.
Finding you years after your super inspiring 'Secret life of. .' series is a genuine thrilling pleasure, thanks Tim
I studied engineering but ended up as an unskilled assembly worker in Canada. I have learned some of the tricks you presented in my last five years. As a result of your videos, I continue to learn a lot about your trade secrets and I greatly appreciate your videos for that reason.
This is fantastic - how to make the bit that isn't there. I have drilled more holes than I've had hot dinners, by some margin, and I still learned quite a few new things here. I especially love the attention to body posture and leverage. It's incredibly important and I don't think it gets the attention it deserves. Bravo!
Dear Tim,
For me you are a real expert in explaning tech.
I greet your modesty.
Vincent from Belgium
My favorite ‘hole’ cutting of all time is the *marble Jali screens at the Taj Mahal* and etc. walls/windows/dividers of solid stone almost as thin, translucent and intricate as lace. The smallest yet most awe inspiring part of the structure imo
I wish you'd have added something about using cutting oil, I remember when my life changed when I found the stuff, almost as magical as discovering flux when soldering.
Tim, stainless steel. High pressure and low speed and drilling oil
And of course sharp drill
You should see the sorts of bores they use in gunsmithing! Would you consider doing a Q&A here one day perhaps? All the best!
Hats Off! :) Take Care
Don't stop tim you are so interesting the way you present your humbleness and expertise and bloody cleverness ..you should be on telly 😅
Tim, you are a National Treasure.
What you presented as a "fly-cutter" is usually known as a boring head (and it takes small boring bars as you showed on your lathe). Setting exact diameters can be done by just making a hole that's undersize, measure that, then adjust the diameter (which can be done very precisely). As usual with precision machining take the last deep cut as two about equal halves, the error on the first half can be compensated on the second half and it will come out almost spot on.
.. a fly cutter is a bit different, rotates faster and is used for taking (usually very shallow) large facing cuts, which can give a very fine surface finish
Dear Tim:
always love everything you do....missing Rex, but sure everyone does....best wishes, from Florida, USA.....Paul
If I ever go to England, a visit to the Hunkin arcade is a must. In fact, that would be one of the main reasons for going to England in the first place!
something about these vids makes you stay longer time watching it, maybe that nostalgic vibe.
The wolrd needs a TIm Hunkin and Jimmy Diresta Collab!! #GOATS
This brought back so many lovely memories of my dad as a tool maker and my school days in metalwork. I need a workshop to use all my tools in and my knowledge of electronics. It also makes my day to see some of the solutions I’ve come up with over the years match yours. I can see your enjoyment in what you do and thank you for sharing. It made my day when I found your channel. I used to secretly watch your programs on my B&W TV back in the day as a teenager. All the best.
Ahhhhhh! I just found this. Thank you Tim. Love your content going back to secret life of machines. You’re an all time fav!!
On sharpening metal drills:
I was told by an old engineer that you know when a drill is blunt if when lightly pressed against the palm of your hand it does nothing when turned. You know it is sharp enough when you can lightly press it against your palm and it easily grips the skin when turned. Obviously requires skin like leather to work, but I can confirm that it is in fact true!
I really enjoyed this one! For such a simple task, this was fun and educational.
Excellent
These are all magnificent.
I live near Russell Square/Covent Garden and the number of unsung Tim Hunkin treasures around the area becomes obvious after watching this series. So creative.
The bad thing about the cordless drills us that where you press your palm at the rear is right where the motor cooling vents are. For added leverage, I'll occasionally run a ratchet strap around what I'm drilling, and run the strap over the back of the drill. Apply tension as needed. I've been fortunate enough to use a board as a lever to do the same thing, again, strategically placed ratchet straps can provide the force. That added force comes down to the balance of how much you appreciate your drill versus how badly you need the hole.
Thanks for the great videos!
Thank you Mr Hunkin,
Your channel is one of my favorites.
Always a pleasure to see a new one from Mr. Hunkin. Stands out like an island in the sea of stupidity that is youtube. Never disappoints. Always genuine.
Great video. I would love to visit your arcade.
Tim, I really appreciate you taking the time out to pass along your knowledge and experience and inviting us into the shop.
One really useful tool I discovered during my apprenticeship was the Abrafile. It's basically a round cross-section saw blade that allows you to cut in any direction. It's ideal for cutting irregular shaped holes in sheet metal.
Thanks for another enjoyable video.
Tim you're the most humble gentleman. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us. I'm loving the continuation of the series. I watched most all of the shows from the past.
Useful info, as always!
I bought a Drill Doctor back when they were the new thing. It worked pretty well for a while, but then the results got wonky - turned out the collet I was using had gotten damaged, so the drill wouldn't be correctly aligned.
Stainless is fun, especially when you're dealing with scrap of uncertain provenance and composition. The work-hardening grades are nasty to machine; the free-machining types are not so bad, but don't weld well.
That use of EDM was something I hadn't contemplated before. Extra interesting!
Dear Tim, back in the 1930's when my dad got out of high school in New Bedford , Massachusetts, he went to work for the Morse Drill Bit company before he went into the army to fight in WWII.....I have a wonderful drill bit index for numbered bits that is a folding triangle device , stacking the bits vertical from #60 to
Hole-e-moley! What a great video ❤❤❤❤
Well done sir. There must be uncountable young people bereft of this good simple practical knowledge. I was lucky enough to have been taught both metalwork and woodwork at school ( I must say too that those teachers were the only human beings at the particular school. All others seemed to be Welsh Dalek sadists).
I’m really enjoying these videos and have always been a fan of Tim’s style of presentation. I also like the blend of history and practical tips.
Seeing the brace and bit took me back. My dad had one and we used it for everything before finally getting a power drill.