For an entertaining look inside a metalworking shop, watch This Old Tony: the channel describes its focus as “metalworking projects, mostly machining.” Its appeal is less a step-by-step course than an open invitation to see projects take shape, often with a playful streak.
What makes This Old Tony worth watching?
In a 2016 Make: feature, Tony described the channel as “an open door to my shop.” That captures its project-centered approach: viewers can watch the work, the decisions and the shop processes, rather than expect a formal lesson plan. The feature also quotes Tony saying, “I’m not big on ‘tips & tricks, but I’ve made one or two of those.”
The projects pair practical metalworking with humor and unusual themes. The Make: feature points to “Step Stool – The Makening,” which plays on metalworking versus woodworking, and an espresso pot made with a torch. It also highlights a multi-part fixed-gantry CNC router build. Tony jokingly described the machine as “light duty milling machine,” adding that he calls it a router “to keep from sounding like a knucklehead.” Those are examples from the 2016 feature, not a guarantee that every older project or its files remain available today.
How broad is the channel’s subject matter?
Machining is the stated center, but the archive ranges into welding, tooling and machine-shop projects. The creator’s Patreon sitemap lists “MINI LATHE! Should you get one?” and “DIY CNC – Make one yourself!” in 2018, followed by welding topics including “TIG with an Ebay Stick Welder?” and “AC Welding – TIG & Aluminum” in 2019. Later archive entries extend to gauges, heat treating, tooling, welding and machine work. This indicates subject range; it does not establish a current upload schedule.
#1 Best Overall
- all the 16 pieces file are made by T12 Drop Forged Alloy Steel, the long lasting teeth were deeply milled tempered and coated for durable cutting and filing performance
- 25 pieces file set comes with 4 large files - flat/triangle/half-round/round file and 12 pieces precision needle file, 6 piece sanderpaper,a pair working gloves, a metal wire brush and carry case
- all files are packed in a rugged, compact carry case for storage and portability. Each tool fits snugly into its respective place to prevent moving around and scraping
- long and soft handle - rubbery handle with long length to bring your comfortable handling that will allow for hours of use buy with confidence - handy tool bag with a wide variety of files will allow you easily finish and enjoy woodworking
- buy with confidence - handy tool bag with a wide variety of files will allow you easily finish and enjoy woodworking
Two 2017 videos offer more specific examples: a home-built rotary table for welding and a video on grinding shop tools that says it starts “from the very basics.”
Who should watch—and what should beginners expect?
This Old Tony suits viewers curious about how metal parts and shop-built tools are made, whether they already work with machinery or simply enjoy seeing a build unfold. The mix of process and comic framing makes it an approachable watch, but the sources establish no structured curriculum and do not promise that a project is easy, safe for beginners, or reproducible with ordinary home-shop equipment.
Rank #2
- Available in 16 different shapes and designs, including: bolt hole alignment, ball head separation, unfolding knuckle, center punch, knockout bolts and pins.
- Heat treated chromium vanadium provides a high hardness rating that prevents rapid expansion of the head and passivation of the chisel and punch.
- 5PC Tapered punch: 3/32" x 5-1/4", 1/8" x 5-3/4", 5/32" x 6", 3/16" x 6-1/4", 1 /4" x 6-3/4" and 3PC Cold Chisels: 3/8" x 5-1/2", 1/2" x 6", 5/8" x 6-1/2"
- 5PC Punch: 3/32" x 4-1/4", 1/8" x 4-3/4", 5/32" x 5", 3/16" x 5-1/4", 1/4" × 5-3/4" and 2PC Center punch: 1/8" x 5", 3/16" x 6"
- Product material: made of chrome vanadium steel, hardness: 54~58HRC
If the videos spark an interest in home-shop machining, the mini-lathe question is a natural next step—the archive itself asks whether viewers should get one. But owning a lathe is not a prerequisite for enjoying the channel, and the cited material does not endorse a particular model or provide buying criteria.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- T12 High-Carbon Steel Metal File Set, 62-66HRC: Deep-quenched, coated teeth resist wear and hold their edge, so these metal files for steel deliver clean shaping, deburring, and smoothing.
- Flat File, Round File, and Half-Round File in One Set: The 8-inch trio shapes, smooths, trims, and deburrs metal, wood, and plastic, so the right file is always within reach.
- Hand Files With Anti-Slip Handles That Won't Loosen: High-grip rubber cradles the palm and bonds firmly to the steel tang, so handles stay put during heavy use — no slipping, no twisting, less hand fatigue.
- Multi-Material Use — Wood File, Sharpening, and More: Smooth, sharpen, and shape wood, metal, plastic, and jewelry with one hand file set, ideal for woodworking, metalworking, jewelry making, and DIY.
- 3-Piece File Set, Checked and Supported: Every 8-inch file is checked for straightness and finish before packing, and our 24-hour customer support is ready to answer any question.
Rank #4
- 【Professional Metal Stamping Kit】You will get a heavy duty steel block for jewelry making and a metal stamping hammer for metal stamping blanks or jewelry tags, they are an essential tool kit in your metal working/jewelry making toolbox
- 【No-Rebound Steel Block】The steel block for jewelry making is No-Rebound design. The bottome of the block is wrapped with rubber to absorb shock and vibration caused by knocking
- 【Premium Quality】The steel bench block for jewelry & stamping is made of industrial grade hardened carbon steel, it is mirror polished and chrome plated, ideal for metalworking and custom jewelry stamping
- 【Jewelry Hammer】Double-headed mini steel hammer with flat and domed ends to achieve an accurate strikes, the ergonomic rubber-coated handle with a grooved grip which is easy to grip and use
- 【Widely Used】Jewelry hammer and block set is perfect for beginners and skilled craftsmen alike for flattening, forming, chasing, laying out, and stamping metalwork, also for metal stamping blanks, jewelry labels and more
Rank #3
- ALL-IN-ONE TAP & DIE SET: This 80-piece internal and external threading tool kit includes both coarse and fine taps and dies in the 34 most needed standard and metric sizes, from #4 (14/125") to 1/2 inch and from M3 to M12
- USER-FRIENDLY DESIGN: This tap and die set is engineered to tight tolerances to meet professional needs; the tap ends are 1/5 to 2/5 inch long for easy use with the provided standard and metric wrenches
- PREMIUM DURABILITY: This threading tool set for homeowners, craftsmen, and mechanics is made of high-carbon chromium bearing steel; provides even greater strength, durability, and longevity so you can tackle any job with confidence
- ADDITIONAL TOOLS: In addition to the 68 taps and dies, this tool set includes protective gloves, both long and T-handle wrenches, 1/8" flathead screwdrivers, and thread pitch gauges to find and carve the exact threading you need through wood, copper, aluminum, iron, steel, and more!
- BLOW-MOLDED CASES: Separate sturdy storage cases store and organize the SAE and metric taps and dies, providing easy organization and portability wherever you need them
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
