1930s Desk Lamp - Restoration
In this video I'm restoring a very stylish German desk lamp from the 1930's. This model is called „Vitalux Type G101“ made by „Osram“. Vitalux lamps always had UV bulps. They were advertised as healthy lamps back in the 30's to get your vitamin D at home.
My friend has found this lamp at the local junk yard. I really liked its design, so I bought it for $25. To be honest I first thought this should be a quick and easy project. Sure, to get the reflector back to shape would be challenging, but the rest should be pretty straight forward. How wrong I was! It took me 26 days in the workshop to complete this project.
It was really tricky to get the reflector back to shape. Thanks to my two sheet metal specialist friends I was able to achieve a nearly perfect result. Getting the bead back to a consistent shape was very difficult, but with some thinking we came up with a very clever tool design which worked like a charm. The rest was just sanding. At first I tried to make a mirror polish on the inside. As I couldn't achieve a satisfying result I went with a satin brushed finish instead, which turned out looking amazing in my opinion.
Creating a new logo was another big challenge. Waterslide decals were out of question because of the „TYPE G101“ text below the logo. So I wanted to spray paint the logo with a sticker template cut with the vinyl cutter, but the tiny size of the letters won't let me get a clean and sharp result after removing the template sticker. Then I tried it the other way around and cut a golden vinyl and used the logo itself as a permanent sticker, which worked very well and looked super sharp. I applied two coats of 2K clear coat to seal the sticker.
On the wooden piece I applied a acrylic primer as base, which had very good coverage and saturated well, so the 2K paint was nice and easy to apply. I picked a satin jet black, it's a mix between matte and glossy.
The old nickel plating was already coming off on some parts, so I removed the old plating, polished them all again and plated them new.
I have found a very nice old school looking power cord with fabric insulated twisted wires, together with an antique Bakelite switch it was the perfect combination.
Overall I'm very happy how the lamp has turned out. All the different finishes and colors match very nice togehter. The light ivory painted parts with the silver on the inside and the golden logo, the black painted wood, the nice and shiny reflector and the freshly polished and nickel plated parts.
I hope you like my work and the video.
Huge thank you to all of my Patreon supporters and especially to:
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My camera:
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This is an ASMR style video. Especially made to have the best sound quality, so you can enjoy all the authentic sounds created in the workshop in ASMR style.
If you have any questions about the process, machines i'm using or other stuff, just ask me in the comments. I read them all and i try to reply as soon as possible.
Sorry for my bad english, it's not my language. I try my best to improve my technical english.
Subscribe for more of my content. I'm uploading videos about mechanical stuff, as new creations and buildings and also restorations.
Thank you for watching :-)
„I make a new one“ T-Shirts:
teespring.com/stores/my-mecha...
My Main Channel:
/ mymechanics
My Second Channel:
/ mymechanicsinsights
My Patreon Page:
/ mymechanics
Check out my Patreon for daily vlogs out of the workshop, early access, Q&A livestreams and long versions of my restoration videos. There are 23 vlogs about this restoration available, one from each day in the workshop. Link in video description.
OK, as long as I see your face.
Thats like the only Patreon i would ever pay for. Do you talk in the vlogs?
@@Sixx2099 Yes he does. He explains a lot.
@@kazemeftekhari Nope. He keeps his privacy.
do you weigh the items before and after restoration? Sometimes I wonder if the material lost from sanding/grinding is noticable.
The bad thing about knowing My Mechanics is that the other restoration channels will seem mediocre. I love their incredible attention to detail along with exacting standards where almost good enough is not acceptable; only as close to perfection as possible will do. Really well done Sir!
Thank you so much for the kind words Thiago!
Yeah. It totally ruins other restoration channels by comparison... But hell, it is worth of it.
All other resto Channels are inferior. I discovered this one first and I just can’t seem to vibe with any others.
Agreed, only channel worth watching.
Exactly! That is the only bad thing 😅. What I read in this comment section is so relatable. The other ones I'm also like. "Hmmm if mymechanic did it, it would've looked brand new, smooth, everything".
I don't know how many of you read the description on these videos, but he says this took him 26 days. That is true dedication to bringing us this level of perfection Thank you, sir.
I figured it would be more than the 23 minutes, but wow... that is a huge amount of time to invest in a lamp (that now looks incredible though!)
And about a week of editing, and don't forget all the time researching ;-)
@@mymechanics The amount of skills and knowlegde that you possess is simply incredible! All these processes you've learned and apply methodically leaves me speechless. Masterclass level quality content. Excellent work!
@@mymechanics a week of editing?! I know These restorasion videos are hard but learning that 1 week of deleting and adding texts is hard bro. Keep it up ur doing good!
@@mymechanics If there was a "love" button instead of just like, I would use it. This channel is quintessential for the pursuit of perfection.
никакой тупой музыки, никаких лишних слов, только естественные звуки! Отличные инструменты, прямые руки, превосходное видео! Спасибо большое! Вас смотреть - одно удовольствие!
O copo do soquete tinha um rasgo entre um buraco e outro, de repente, aparece um copo perfeito🤔
@@luisbadin5133 I don’t think that’s a tear. Something else was there and left a mark.
I have watched many of your restoration videos and am truly impressed with each one because of your skill and your pursuit of perfection. But this one was absolutely magnificent in the way you restored the lamp reflector. There was no way I could imagine any way to remove the bends, get it round, and restore the rolled edge, but I watched you do it with skill and perfection, using special tools you made yourself to roll that edge. I admire your talent and applaud your results.
Thank you very much!
Machining the tools to restore the dents blew me away
It hasn't even been 5 minutes & we've seen disassembly, paint stripping, sand blasting, counter sinking, filling, sharp edges removing, dent fixing, electro plating & polishing. He's not just a great mechanic but also a great video maker!
The work on the shade alone was nothing short of masterful.
I'm glad you like it 🤗👍🏻
このチャンネルの再生に関しては「再生」というレベルを超えていますね。きっと製品を作った方が見たら嬉しくて泣いちゃうレベル。より高品質な製品に生まれ変わっていると思います。脱帽。さり気なくオリジナル治具を多く作成しその精度の良さにも驚いています。
The unbending of the reflector with the turned parts was so impressive. Very nice work as always
Dude it's one thing to be incredibly skilled at restoration, but the cinematography you employ both in quality of shots, composition, etc but also with visual storytelling, man you're hands-down the top of the genre. Easily the best restoration channel on this entire platform.
Appreciate that!
top
Agreed 🎉
As an electrician, you make me happy by adding the ground wire which was lacking on the original (because safety wasn’t necessary such a thing back then). Most, if not all, other channels ignore that when they work on electric devices. So big thumbs up 👍
But still he is connecting via a non ground plug in the final test. . Disapointed...
@@saxoon1 No there were three prongs and three holes in the outlet, if you look carefully.
@@saxoon1 Check at 19:43 till 19:50
Yeah, but my bigger concern is he didn't crimp the stranded wires. They're just soldered. That is a bad connection and a no-no in my book.
It apparently was made as Class 2 protection (but in this case, it seems to be missing an insulator part inside the bulb holder). Connecting the ground made it Class 1. Both are correct if done properly.
The reshaping of that reflector was something else, absolutely top class
Just watching you give decades of these things’ lives back is so cathartic.
Dude, un-denting the back of the lamp by just pulling is impressive, your unyielding attention to detail and willingness to go the extra mile are what makes your videos miles above all else. I love your work and hope that I never miss an upload.
I agree 100%.
Extra mile? While we are doing an extra mile, he is going to the moon!
@@aileroned He's going the extra lightyear, if you will
Absolutely! I mean he didn't even show one making of the tools he used for restoration! An he used a lot for polishing, undenting ....
You know that when a My mechanics video comes, it’s time to stop whatever else your watching or doing and see the best restoration man do his magic, no other channel is as good as him.
Happy to hear that and thanks for your support :-)
No, a My Mechanics video is something to savour. I'm excited all day, or for a few days even, until I can get some alone time and sit down all relaxed with a cold beer and enjoy the ritual that is watching this man work.
Okay, I've seen every video and I think this may be the best one yet. Who's with me?
This was the first restoration video i ever watched on youtube back in 2022. Ive been hooked since and have actually started restoring things for friends and family members. THANK YOU!
By the time this guy got to making his own washers, I forgot what he was restoring. The jigs and things he makes to complete one of these projects are way cooler than some of the things he’s restoring. This guy is an artist.
Thank you very much, I'm glad you like it :-)
When he casually mentions that he made custom tools on his lathe (around 5:50) to pound the dents out o the reflector, you know the video will be a MM classic.
This guy doesn’t just restore it to factory spec, he restores it to the spec of the designer and engineer’s original drawings, before the manufacturing engineers get a chance to cheapen it out and lower standards. His work belongs in a design museum, next to the original drawings.
That's not what "restore" means
Ok boomer
In all the comments, i think you described it in the better way. This guy is a really making it perfect.
@@andrezesna3920 ok 8 year old
@@andrezesna3920 ok renter
This is one of my favourite restoration videos, and the thing I always enjoy most about it is watching him take that awful looking, badly damaged reflector and painstakingly work the dents out of it until it’s practically as good as new. Deeply satisfying every time I watch it. To call this man a craftsman would be a brazen insult, he is a master!
the way the edges were rounded out... life changing I could watch these forever
The way he restored the reflector and the way he transferred the brass were my favourites this episode. The reflector was one hell of a job.
I definitely thought it was going to be impossible, dented aluminium is ugly to work with!
What amazes me is that he has a tool for every single problem. And if he doesn't then he will just CREATE a tool that is perfect for his needs. This level of precision and detail is amazing. It's not like other restoration channels that use tools that may not be the right tool. This channel is absolute precision and detail driven.
Nice to hear that, thank you very much :-)
Of course, many times, more material is used and/or wasted on the custom tool or jig than would have been wasted by recycling the metal and buying a new one _or even just trashing_ the old one. However, there are many more wasteful hobbies (and entertainment) out there. This one shows the limit of what can be done, and I’m sure it inspires many to take an efficient middle road.
@@altosack You really have a twisted view on things. Even if more material was used to restore something this old, unique and beautiful, it is definitely worthwhile. It is part of history and worth to preserve. I don't think you can easily recycle the metal and/or buy a new one exactly like this one, as if you're going to the furniture store and ask for one. And remember, it's the very old stuff that usually lasts a long time. The new stuff is what is usually consumed and trashed because of its lesser quality. Seriously, you think this is a wasteful hobby? This is more than just fun and a hobby. It's a professional job. This one does not "show the limit of what can be done" like you say. It really shows the unlimited things professionals can be do. I wish I had their skills to do such an awesome and professional job. You need to have your head checked.
@@mymechanics I have to agree that a lot of the enjoyment I get from watching your work is your problem solving. Seeing the custom tools and fixtures you make to accomplish the job is half the fun. Nothing more satisfying than solving a unique problem with a unique solution!
I like to imagine that he has some kind of secret underground batcave where he keeps thousands of tools, for every possible situation.
It's an absolutely stunning restoration. You can just see the love and passion you have for your craft, and I'm among many who are grateful you decided to create these videos. I also think it's neat you decide to always make Flathead screws. It's that little nifty thing you do when you know a screw shouldn't be tightened too much. I would love to see an episode on lathe safety some day. We see you working the lathe and get real close with your hands and hand tools, so you definitely know what you're doing. Keep up the amazing work. ♥
Many thanks :-)
No talking, no music - only sound of work. That what I want! 👏 You have one new subscriber 👈 By the way, amazing 4K camera! 👌
Thank you very much :-)
The quality of filming and editing the footage is just as high as the level of engineering and craftsmanship that goes into My Mechanics videos. Other KZhead restorers try to emulate his videos, but he continues to set the standard.
Nice to hear that, thank you :-)👍🏻🙌🏻
The level of perfection here is astounding. I have developed a serious level of respect for this guy over the years. All the other restoration channels don't even come close
No one does! This guy is above everyone else by a tremendously huge margin.
"All the other restoration channels don't even come close" Well, that just confirms you barely know any channel that does restoration.
@@kenshiku What if you point us to a few channels showcasing work at least equally as good and detailed as this one? I mean, this guy even chooses to make his own screws and single use tools required for each job. 🤷♂️
100% true. Started off watching HandToolRescue, but now I can't really watch his stuff. He does alright work, but theres no comparison between the two.
Perfection is a Germanic trait. My father would make sure that the pieces you couldn't see were just as perfect as the ones you could.
The work on the reflector is beyond genius.. its the details and fabrication he does for tools he needs. I’ve said before about this guy but he is one of the best restoration/fabrication engineer I’ve ever seen with his attention to detail. He could walk into any workshop and be at home with the equipment. Truly talented
Not only this man restored all of the original stuff like bolts and screws, but made another screw that was missing. Getting more respect from your viewers here 👍🤘
Thanks a lot for being here :-)
This is the bar that all other resto channels aim to be, but don't even come close. This is the "ONE"! People ask me why it takes me 600-1000 hours to restore a motorcycle, I tell them to watch this channel. But I'm not this good. Well done!!
Nice to hear that, thanks a lot :-)
I never thought that reflector was coming back - I thought we were going to be looking at your new spinning skills. Brilliant restoration!
I was afraid, that he will give up and make a new one. And he really coped with restoring it! I was shocked with custom restoring tools especially for a bid.
I also thought "I make a new one" will appear any moment
I had no doubt it would be "better than new", My Mechanics doesn't do it any other way!
even the manufacturer can no longer retile this lamp you are truly a creator
Literally, my jaw just dropped. It's absolutely gorgeous how the lamp turned out. Every single step seems ingenious. And especially the custom tools you created 'just like that' make your restoration videos really stand out compared to what I've seen so far on KZhead. It is really mind-blowing what you deliver here. Sorry for schmoozing so much, but I couldn't resist. An absolute pleasure to watch. Amazing channel!
Thank you so much!
Guys, I can't stress enough the painstaking lengths this man goes through between cuts. I've been busy rebuilding the tensioner on my car and sanding and filing it flat was almost infuriating. I have a newfound respect and appreciation for the work you do, and I can't emphasize enough how awesome it is that your channel taught me the proper steps to take for projects in the same ballpark as this.
So glad to hear that and thanks a lot for being here :-)👍🏻🙌🏻
Save yourself some work and buy a new tensioner
@@YeOldeGeezer Hell no, I got 2 bucks and a new tensioner costs 120.
@@mymechanics What will you restore next ??
lol what are you talking about??? My Mechanics can dissassemble, restore, and reassemble a vintage lamp in 23 min
“Better than new” is an understatement in this case. Absolutely amazing attention to detail.
That´s sadly absolutely correct. Don´t get me wrong, his work, the videos and the finishing of the restored things are brilliant. Best i ever saw. But sometimes he brings things to a quality they never had originally. In context of historic authenticity it is the only thing that bothers me,...sometimes...
Better then new is actually a thing and sometimes even a neccesity. Those that resore old aircraft to a flying condition often need to do this so they minimize the risk of loosing an irreplaceable aircraft to an random accident.
@@michaelpettersson4919 But here we're talking about everyday objects and not about airplanes...
I think he spent more than 150€ worth in shop time to get to this.
I completely agree with all those comments 👍
We live in such a disposable world now that the idea of actually repairing things seems insane to most people. These videos are like therapy for me
I love how neat old, rusty items look but your restored ones as well look insanely pretty as well.
Fantastic job! I am really amazed how the reflector turned out, never thought that it would turn out this great! And it’s incredible how 2k paint looks on the wood, can’t even tell that it’s wood anymore 😄
The satin finish on that paint really makes the difference. I really like it and it also fits nice to the rest. Thank you very much.
@@mymechanics I am always looking forward to seeing your new videos. You are a reference on KZhead. Dr. Hut of Handcraft you do a great job too. To both of you I say: don't stop making videos because here you have a great fan of yours!
Yeah, I thought the reflector was scrap and a new one would have to be made, possibly by "dishing" aluminium on the lathe. Quite impressed to see that thing saved.
@@mymechanics You are very welcome! Again, fantastic job!
@@juanpi8864 Thank you very much 😄
Honestly, the part I loved the most was when you brought out the braided power cable. Anybody else might've just found a black or yellow plastic coated one, but you found something that fits the overall look of the lamp. It's a tiny detail, but it's amazing all the same.
I don't know anything about restoration, but I am enthralled
This is easily the best restoration channel. Craftsmanship + video editing. Tough time to be your competition!
Glad to hear that, thank you very much
The way you restored that reflector is absolutely amazing. You seem to have a tool for everything and if you don't you just make one. Stunning work!
Thank you very much!🙌🏻
I counted 8 separate tools just for the reflector, starting with the wooden radius compared, and ending with the brilliant lathe attachment. That includes the custom contoured sanding sponge.
Just another level to anyone else. The level of detail is just astonishing. The reflector may be , in my opinion, your best work yet, I almost can't believe that it came out that good after being so beaten up. Bravo!
Armorer here. (You know, the craft that revolves around bending metal plate in rounded shapes and putting rolled edges on plate edges and stuff.) I can confirm, his work fixing that roll was simply incredibly, and had _me_ (used as I am with working with metal rolls) taking notes.
Agree
I was completely shocked at the outcome of the reflector. That was incredible
Totally agree. My first thought when I saw the reflector was: "Well, I know what he'll make new this time". Boy was I wrong... :-)
С такой любовью к каждой дететали, даже самой маленькой! Мастерство и терпение! Не каждому по плечу
cool
Вас в самом деле так зовут Селена ? Или это для Ютуба. Помнится в одном фильме девушка Елена голову морочила будущей свекрови ( химику ), что её Селена зовут )))
Дететали?
The best part of watching your restorations, is seeing you make the damaged or missing pieces. You are like a magician!
Wow, thank you!
Once again, a neglected object, ready for the crusher, but no...you restored it, made it better than when it first left the production floor...this is what the 'hero' model must've looked like. Beautiful! And s joy to watch the transition, so many thanks for your story and quality of filming and editing. All top-notch.
Glad you enjoyed the video
Great video, but seems counter productive restoring something beyond it's original production standards. I have seen plenty of items from this time period that are just a mish/mash of odd screws and random parts lol
@@daveyjones18 you're obviously new to this special guy, as he makes his own screws, bolts and such FROM SCRATCH to replace this hodge-podge parts. Our Favourite comment from him is "I make a new one".
@@mahina1963 I just meant that if you was restoring it for resale (like antique dealers do) then machining simple parts like screws is going past the point of being profitable 👍 But if time isn't a factor, and you're doing this as a hobby, then it's pretty cool 😎
This lamp is even more beautiful than was when it came out of the factory back then 👍🏻
That's one of his signature elements, I think. He always smooths down rough and sharp edges, for instance. He is definitely a craftsman and artist.
Way, way more beautiful. It's bordering on a work of art at this point.
How do you know? Did you see it when new?
I have watched this video many times over and I still keep coming back to it to admire its beauty. Great work.
The only real restoration channel
what I admire most is how this restorative process not only brings to life the old artifact but really showcases design sensibilities and innovations with materials and form from another era.
Yup a prop magic for time travel shock insite sensibilities potential ....it's it's own movie still shot ❤ .
Glad to hear that, thank you very much
Этот человек точно заслуживает звания чемпиона мира по выдержке и терпению! С какой методичностью, неторопливостью, вниманием к деталям и мелочам он занимается восстановлением просто поражает. А момент видео когда он придает первозданный вид гайкам, шайбам и болтам вообще за гранью моего понимания)) Великолепное мастерство, золотые руки, светлая голова, каждый раз смотрю и не перестаю восхищаться его работой 👏
Да уж, вытачивать с нуля шайбочки-винтики - это ту матч. У него же наверняка всяких разных винтиков пара килограммов в мастерской. Даже у меня куча баночек отсортированного по размерам крепежа - и черного, и цветного, и с хромированным покрытием, и из нержи... Держу пари, эта лампа никогда не была такой нарядной, даже с завода.
@@gorod07 точно тумач, на второй гайке я бы сломался, тем более зная,что в гараже их целое ведро, на любой вкус и цвет 😂😂
Мне понравилось как мастер плафон рихтовал. Особенно интересно мне было посмотреть правку отбортовки! Сколько приспособлений у мастера, это чаша, пест, грибок, и ещё одна самоделка профиль создать. Молодец!
@@Andrei100873 а как он самокат реставрировал. Делал формы для отливки шин и грипс, и как делал...вообще высший пилотаж 👍
Наконец комменты на русском...
Such a beautiful lamp! The attention to detail is incredible. Love seeing things brought back to sterling life.
I don't know what I like these videos so much. I find them relaxing....and I'm always amazed at your skill and craftsmanship.
The best part of these videos is how it transports you back in time. The item comes out looking like it was fresh off the floor at a department store. It feels like you're seeing it back when it was new. I know some argue about styles of restoration, and I agree, for historical value antiques should be restored to preserve their flaws, but I believe that leaves room for this style of restoration which offers a different type of historical value.
It is like restoring cars to perfect condition and fixing all well-known issues, some people will argue that it should be like factory quality, but that isn't always the best case, like the DeLorean, if one want to restored it to factory spec, it will have many issues, fixing them make it more useful.
Your attention to even the most minute detail is out of this world, this is an amazing restoration! I bet this lamp didn't look half as good even when brand new. As always, this was a real pleasure to watch. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you very much!
I think you’re actually missing the point... this lamp probably looked _exactly_ this good when it was brand new. That is the entire goal of restoration!
@@monkeygraborange He makes it look better by doing little things like sanding off casting marks that have always been there.
@@monkeygraborange I'm sure it did not. He fixed a lot of little details and marks that were in the original lamp even when it was new, rounded the edges of many parts and even beveled the edges of screw holes. This insane attention to detail is what sets him apart. Look at 4:10 for example, that part ended up looking a lot better than it originally did.
ngl every other restoration channel is ruined for me since finding yours. The level of perfection you achieve as absolutely unmatched by anyone else. keep doing the lord's work my friend
When he finished the reflector I paused the video in stunned silence and immediately hit the subscribe button.
These videos are like meditation. Everything else just fades away as the calm but captivating repairs take place. Superb. I especially liked how good the finished logo looked on there. Like it had always been there.
Glad you think so and thanks for watching!👍🏻
He uses his tools to make custom tools to fix a specific part on a single single restoration that will never be used again. That’s called dedication!
It sure is. And if you want to see more on toolmaking, you should check out Clickspring, it's no restoration, but completely new builds, with tools and explanation. Certainly worth a visit.
Thank you very much, I'm glad you like it :-)
Impressionante foi a pequena chave q ele fez para apertar a porca dentro do bocal da lâmpada. Sensacional!!!!
There's a name for that, its called a machinist, my dad was a machinist.
@@writerconsidered The definition can be different depending. I'm a "toolmaker" sometimes called a "Tool and Die Maker" but we get lumped into the "Machinist" group. The auto manufacturer I work for has "Machinists" in charge of running one piece of machine, usually a CNC machine now. Where as a "Toolmaker" has to know how to run all the machines in the shop and does a lot of the programming for CNC Machines. The easiest way to describe it. A Machinist is a black belt at one machine, where a Toolmaker is a brown belt at all the machines.
Es ist nicht in Worte zu fassen mit welcher Liebe zum Detail und wie professionell du das machst .
I love your videos...including the fact that you don't feel compelled to narrate the entire thing or put some soundtrack. I honestly can lose 25 minutes of my day getting hypnotized by your hands working magic. Well done. I admire your skills and attention to detail.
Thank you so much for the support, I really do appreciate it!
Haha I've fallen asleep to quite a few my mechanics videos, and it's always like watching an adventure movie, not knowing how the hero will solve a problem next. All the custom tools, the filing, the solutions. Love this channel so much!
Well said
Thank you very much, much appreciated :-)
my favorite part is when it says "I make a new one"
Fell asleep to this one yesterday. These videos say that there is nothing in the world that cannot be fixed. My anxiety just melts away.
I can only fall asleep to the ones I rewatch because I'm too interested on the first watch
Your work is very satisfying to watch. With other restorations they will often miss a bit, fail to zinc plate some tiny screw, or don't spend enough time on internal parts not visible from the outside - but you don't do any of these things. You also know how to pace a video better than most other channels. OUTSTANDING!
Your restorations are so satisfying to watch. You always seem to have (or make) the perfect tools for the job and more importantly, you have the skills, you accept nothing less than perfection. Congratulations.
Thank you very much, much appreciated :-)
I feel like all my life’s problems would just go away if I owned a sandblaster
I was already in awe throughout the whole process, but the moment you made the little screws, nuts and washers I actually shed a few tears. What masterful hands and a masterpiece of a restoration video!
Nice to hear that, thank you :-)
What an odd duck you are...
Beside the outstanding attention to the slightest detail, what most amazes me is the creativity in making tools and jigs to restore the items to better than new condition. Also, your painting skills don’t get enough positive mentions. Thank you! 👍👍👍 ~ John in Ohio
Nice to hear that, thank you very much 🤗
I love that you even used an Osram bulb to finish it off. Such a wonderful little detail!
Your camera work is so damn good. Yeah, the restoration was great, as usual, but it never ceases to amaze me how close the shots are at times, the clarity and the editing. So good.
Glad to hear that, thank you
Came here to say that. Nothing, NOTHING is left to chance!
This is the most beautiful and perfectly realised restoration of ANYTHING that I have ever seen. Your work on that reflector dish is simply outstanding, and the finish on every element is gorgeous. You are second to none, Sir.
Thank you so much 😊
A true craftsman of yesteryear. Hard to find this tenacity and knowledge in one person. Wonderful to watch you work, on both the restoration and the superb filming of it. Thank you for no music, what joy! I learned a lot about hammering out bent metal. I have a project too. Thank you for existing and renewing my faith in old world craftsmanship. You are the best!
Happy to hear that!
Your work is always second to none. The care and skill you put into every piece gives me hope for a brighter tomorrow 💡
Happy to hear that!
This is such a great Restoration! And I think this is a new record for you making specialized tools for a project? The two part clap for the power cord tube, the dent puller for the back of the lamp, then there was the arched tool for the back of the lamp for hammering the curve right, the two part rubber concave/convex set for rounding the reflector, the wooden bit you used for the roundness of the reflector edge, the one punch you used for the one dented spot that was hard to reach for the reflector, the hook you used briefly for pulling the edge of the fold out, then the specialized tool for perfecting the folded edge of the reflector, then the attachment for your lath for sanding the reflector! That's 7 for just the reflector!- and then there were the little holders for the washers for your lathe to make sure the tiny parts didn't go anywhere. Which brings the count to roughly 13 tools you made to fix the lamp! Plus that brass plating was a work of genius!
Thank you very much as always. Yeah that reflector was pretty challenging to get back to shape, yet it turned out absolutely amazing! Was definitely worth to make all the special tools. By the way, there will be a video soon on the second channel about the big black plastic bowl.
I lost count of all of them. Thanks mamfzf for specifying them all. I'm not the only one who notices!🤣
@@Vickie-Bligh I knew the only way I was going to get a real count would be by listing them!
@@mymechanics It is a miracle you did not split the metal on the reflector as you worked out the worst dents. Was your plan to use filler, if that had happened, or some kind of additive process?
It's so rewarding seeing such a beaten-up old piece of junk that would have ended up as landfill being remade/restored to better than new condition and so well done, also the tools made to make the resto possible You are a master!
It’s almost like a parable about the value of a human, where no person is too far gone to be restored to perfection by the touch of the master’s hand.
@@davidswanson5669 You obviously haven't met my mother-n-law!
This one will go to the museum too but to light up the electric door bell that you restored ! 😂 I thought you would say for the reflector "Let's make a new one". 😂Again: My respect for such a great result of your skills. 👏👍
i watch restorations to sleep, has become my trigger, the better the restoration, the faster i fall sleep, and nothing makes me sleep faster than my mechanics (sincerely a compliment)
The work on that reflector alone was a work of art. Beautiful restoration. Way better than new and safer too.
Glad you enjoyed the video!👍🏻
Absolute perfection. I expect nothing less from this master machinist. Bravo!
Wow, thanks!
You finally made me cry today. This is too beautiful. I wanna stay here in germany and explore relicts of the past. Goodthing I work in a company with all the antiquated extrusion machinery and other paraphernalia. People call it machines from zweite weltkrieg. Peculiar place. Thank You for great content.
I mean, it was a good restoration - apart from some poor practices on the electrical side of things - but if it made you cry, you might be in need of therapy.
After seeing the overwhelming majority of the comments are from guys I wanted to come representin' the middle aged ladies out there who love the mesmerizing process of restoration and the deeply satisfying payoff of the final product. A skilled craftsman is always a joy to watch. I really appreciate the effort you put into bringing these old gems back to life...things that were made back when quality was a real priority. Seeing the workmanship and the materials used in the old stuff makes me so sad as I walk over and make myself a cup of coffee in my new plastic Keurig that'll last me five years, if I'm lucky.
A lot of channels just throw mud on things and clean them. This is TRULY a restoration. Thanks again for the masterclass.
Glad to hear that, thank you!
Prior to reno: looks like a good anchor. After reno: looks like a pretty good anchor.
watching this video made me think a lot. there was a time, when everything (well, almost everything) is fixable, and also worth fixing. that's perhaps the beauty of antiques, they stand strong, and solid, and as long as you want to, it is always possible to fix... thanks for this great video! respect!!
The bad thing about this video is that it ends. Amazing restoration, as always.
If you're a Patreon Member you get access to "Director’s Cut" versions of his videos- this one has a 1 hour 16 minute Director's Cut!
The straightening of the reflector was amazing. Definitely the best work I've seen you perform. Well done!
I feel about that too... each new video being better than the last. So good.
straightening or curving? now you put a bug in my head
Not only the restoration is incredible good, don't forget the effort he had with the video production!
This custom tool made my day. I can't believe my eyes. Genius!
Happy to hear that!
Wonderful editing as always! I feel that nothing was lost going from over an hour to 23 minutes. I was hoping to see the power cord build but not really part of the restoration. Thanks again for a great project video. Will be telling all my friends to watch my mechanics!
I first had in mind to include it as well, but then decided not to. It was super tricky to work with the fabric insulated and twisted cord, also to install the switch. i think it works out great in the video like that. Thank you very much for the support.
@@rasmidtan That's an excellent idea!
@@mymechanics You are correct, always better to replace a cord of that age. Safety first!
Restoring the reflector is for sure the best part of this video ( in my humble opinion) . Great video my friend 👌! Now you can enjoy the weekend 😀 cheers 🍻
The phrase is "in my humble opinion". And your wrong as well, MY Mechanics made us all wait a bit longer for those few words that set him apart from every other KZheadr, "I make a new one", then goes on to display skills that few possess. Thanks for posting another great video, 100 out of 100!
@@larrydaniels6532 WUT?
@@zephyrsky__ Cool again... made a mistake in his ORIGINAL post he said "in my humbling opinion". He edited his original to my correction. And everyone knows the best thing on My Mechanics is when he says "I make a new one". I have no problem explaining to the slow among us.
@@larrydaniels6532 heh among us
Two legends at one place.. Made a video together
That has got to be the most over-engineered desk lamp I've seen in a while. I love it.
Stunning video. I love the beautifully simple iconic design of the lamp. That would look good in any home today. Fabulous job.
I'll keep repeating myself: You don't restore things, you improve them.
My thought on the final product is almost always the same: what would someone who originally worked to produce this item think about someone putting all this work into restoring it to what is certainly better-than-original condition?
I imagine some long-dead German factory worker nodding in approval and admiration.
They might not even recognize it as theirs! They would say.. It looks too good to be ours!!! Look at the quality and attention to detail!!
I would like to see an old folk whom might have worked a piece in an assembly line in the past see this type of caliber restoration, his/her reaction would be amazing!
Sure they would agree "That's the way" and add "if we had unlimited time, parts quality as you can provide, and customers willing to pay the price we would have to call. Yepp, that's how it should be." But who could afford that?
Nice, using a corner-rounding endmill as a lathe form tool. Classic machinist trick. Great work!
I am always impressed by how you manage to get everything apart without destroying the deteriorating item.
It can get pretty tricky sometimes
Just the time put into designing and creating the fixtures and special tools to assist in the restoration is incredible. So much time in every project!
All I’m gonna say is, I’ve never wanted a lamp so bad in my life before. Wow simply amazing!
Thanks, I'm glad you like it 🤗
My mind is blown. I would never know that it waas a restoration. It's incredible.
Fantastic job mate. Love old and vintage items. Given that lamp a new lease of life. Brilliant.
Dude, watching the transformation of that reflector felt life-changing.