Well done for not selling your soul. I really enjoy your stuff. Thanks for all your uploads. :-)

Good call man. Every TV producer/wanker in history: "In exchange extracting the heart, soul and all the fun you have in your shop; we'll pay you potential fame!"

Your mechanical abilities are very good, but your real ability is teaching. You are a teacher that has the wherewithal to convey knowledge in way students can understand. You do not show off, you are not condescending, you present yourself as one who can be approached and judging from the comments, you are a student too. Full circle, you are a really good teacher.

Congratulations on 100K! As far as TV vs KZfaq... it's pretty simple to realize that the audience that watches traditional TV is not growing - but audiences on KZfaq are growing. TV is a losing proposition. Smart not to waste your time.

There is a lot of people out there that watch this channel for its raw content and it authenticity that doesn't exist on regular TV so please continue to keep up the good work! I think you made the right choice. Subs: Thumbs up if you agree!

They contacted me as well and I had the exact same response once I read the contract. For what it's worth, I think you made the right call. Videos take as long as they take and it ruins what you have going on here when you try and cut sections just for the purpose of time. Congrats!

As someone stated previously, this is to me the best channel on KZfaq. I despise the reality show trends, constant drama, cut scene after cut scene, manufactured suspense, and the transparent fiction of the content people like to put out. You have a natural flow that lends to the comfort of familiar people and a shared hobby. Thank you for being one of the few real ones out there.

I am a 63 year old who has owned a 67 and 69 VW Bus. Best vehicles ever. I did all my own rebuilds and maintenance. I am now on disability and cannot work on or afford to own another bus. Watching your videos, I relive my glory days and fond memories of wrenching, lovingly on my VW's, along with a busted knuckle or two. I cannot tell you how much your videos mean to me. It is like I am back in the past doing the work I love to do again. Thanks for your time and kind nature. Glad you didn't sell out to corporate America, keep your videos your own.

Congratulations! Keep it real. Tv seems to stage everything and loves drama. I cancelled tv 4 years ago because of all the commercials and negative content. Channels like this on KZfaq are my go to for entertainment and I learn so much more. Thanks!

Good for you. You stuck to your guns. We all appreciate it! Congrats on 100k!

Hi Darren, I'm a 60 year old Kiwi guy and I want you to know you are doing the right thing man. I'm a motor mechanic by profession and when I watch you I see you do things and take short cuts that make me think more about my methodical trained approach and how I can possibly think a bit more 'out of the square' as it were. It's good to see that there are still people like yourself around and on your own channel, entertaining and educating folk! Thanks for all your effort, it IS appreciated by many.

512k later. Thank you Mustie for being a normal guy . Stuff that I might have thrown away because it looked like a hassle doesn't seem like so much of a hassle anymore.

What draws me to this channel is your authenticity and willingness to share process. Congrats on the 100k. Well deserved.

one of the smallest things that you do is treat the camera as if it were ME or any of your viewers. when you have to reach around the camera to be able to wrench something. makes me feel as if i am right there. like when you bump the camera as if i was in the way reminds me of the times when i was in the garage with my dad and always got in his way. brings back good memories. not saying that you are old because i am older than you. but i think you get the meaning. keep it up.

Watching you go through the motions of trial and error is what makes your channel interesting and fun to watch. Add to that your personality, humor and random builds, and it's one of the best channels on KZfaq. I look forward to the next time you find a hidden mouse nest, rebuild your 1056th carburetor, and terrorize more chickens with your plastic remote controlled dinosaur. Congratulations on your KZfaq milestone!

A HUGE Congratulations, 100K (now 101K as I type this!) is amazing, especially in this day and age of so much out there to distract and take attention away from people. What makes that possible is what you said in the beginning, the organic nature of both what you do, and how you go about doing it, and the way you treat us(your audience) as someone along with the journey/project "does somebody want to grab that for me" "watch your eyes" and "I know, probably should flip it over first but.." and I'm really glad you didn't go for the tv show, as that would have ruined what you do, and how you do it, as well as taking away control of this, which you've grown over the yrs. even as you said, length of videos, which you now do as long as they need to be, and that is how it should be. So keep doing you Darren, and again congrats on the amazing success of the channel.

great job Sir congrats

New subscriber (couple weeks back) and have been marathoning to catch up. Excellent channel which is why it's growing. No pretense, no show... just honest technical debugging, experimenting, and learning. Keep it up, hoping to watch for a long time to come.

Hi Mustie. Found your channel purely by accident while looking around YT for VW Beetle related stuff. I'm 68, live in the UK and must say I'm enjoying every single video. My first car was a 55 oval, cable brakes and 6v system, wish I had it today. Again, as a young boy I used to mess around with dad whenever he was 'wrenching' (he used to work for one of the two main car rescue organisations here in the UK back in the 50s) so I learnt a lot from him. So just keep doing what you're doing mustie, I get a lot of enjoyment out of every video and it brings back memories of days past. PS also owned over the years beetles from 60, 63 and 69.

Thank you for sharing! I enjoy your videos for many reasons, and one of them is that your integrity in everything you do shows through.

My sincere congratulations and Thanks to You, Mustie1 for educating and entertaining me.

Your number 1 in my book. A great person with integrity.

I actually stumbled upon your channel six months ago (January) this year, GREAT sense of humor and timing! Because of your videos, I am NOW able to repair just about ALL of my gas powered tools and have saved SO much money by doing so! As a small business owner myself, I appreciate the ability to invest back into my business, instead of using the money for having to send my equipment out for repair. Mahalo Mustie1! 🤙

I have all the respect in the world for you for standing up for what you believe in. Its obvious that you love what you do and we love going along for the ride and looking over your shoulder. It's we that should be thanking you for allowing us into your shop and,to an extent,your life. And I do thank you for that. Keep doing what you do and we'll keep watching. Thank you for allowing us to"wrench"right along with you my friend😀😀👍.

It's nice that you're thanking us, the viewers, but there wouldn't be an "us the viewers" if it weren't for you, your projects, your guests, your humor, and everything that you've shared. So really, the thanks goes both ways, I suppose... but I insist that it's you, Mustie, who should be thanked most graciously for what you do for us. Also, I think based on what you've said that you made the right call with not signing. Look forward to many more videos, and may the hoard long provide for you and your resourcefulness. Congrats on your first one hundred thousand subscribers !

mustie , youre the spokesman for a lot of us garage rats , keep doing what you do to educate the next generation

Hi Mustie, I just want you to know that I look forward to watching you every day of the week, many more than once. I even stopped watching some of my favorite shows. You come across as a friend with a great personality, I like how you explain things and I like to do the type of things you do (when younger more than now) but I still tinker doing things I enjoy doing since I am retired. keep it up, you give me a lot of pleasure=, thanks and congratulations making 100,000 subs.

The way you make your videos is unique. How many free lawn mower can a man repair yet with each project you take us along with you. You create a "first person" like video. You ask, "what do you think?" as if each viewer is right along side you or "hey, you paying attention?" "I'm counting on you to keep me out of trouble. " I throughly enjoy those moments and NOBODY on KZfaq does that. It's unique to you. Glad you looked carefully at the contract and decided not to do TV. You are a very wise man. CONGRATULATIONS on 100,000 Subscribers! Wishing you 900,000 more!

Congratulations! You deliver your video with simple easy to understand technical skill and with a sense of humour and who you are. I think that's why you've achieved such a strong support.

Congrats on the 100K subscribers. Your formula works so if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

You made me fall in love with old VW's you are a great teacher😄👍👍👍👍👍

Hanging with you makes my day...love your joyful reaction when that engine fires up !

I cannot express well enough how incredibly pleased and proud I am to know you. Your honesty, wisdom and "breeding" is evident. I believe God gives us at least one gift and many talents, you have several! I believe you have made the best decision in not allowing pride to carry you astray. I have a friend whose granddaughter allowed one of these HG shows come in and redo their backyard to accommodate the granddaughter's wedding. They took over so much, the wedding was ruined. In addition, the numerous plantings they put in had to be yanked out as they were unsustainable in the Florida heat. Continue the theme that has proven itself to work and you will gift to others through the honest portrayal of who you are!

Congratulations and well done on 100k subscribers! My 2 cents worth- keep doing what you do, your "recipe" is a winner. . Anyone who wants to change it will never do it as well as you!

Congrats on the 100k! Just keep doing what you do, I'll keep watching. Dyslexics of the world untie!

You are original, what makes your videos is when you make a mistake you don't cover it up and we all get to see how to correct it. That's what makes a good repair video. Keep it up and don't give up your originality.

Thanks for not selling out!

Yes! Thanks for not selling out! You got 100k subs on your own. You don't need a damn contract. Keep doing what you've been doing.

There is no channel like yours, it gives me more confidence to try and work on an old motor or something, i feel like your videos are possibly better than taking a course because it feels 1 on 1. Congrats on 100k!

You are very smart and gifted. I spent 40 years in the motorcycle business. Never seen anyone like you.

Hey Mustie, you already have 100K subscribers (and are growing!) running this channel by yourself. I think you made the right call by passing on a lopsided contract. Given the notoriety you are gaining, I suspect that a better money opportunity will come along soon.

I’m so glad you made that choice! Love the channel...keep it up!

Thank you Darren. Thanks for teaching us. Thanks for saying NO to TV crap. Thanks for sharing. I've been with you for almost 4 years. I get more enjoyment from watching you and Zippo and HTR than from TV. So much so, that I cancelled the cable and am strictly KZfaq / computer stuff. Congratulations my friend, on surpassing this 100k milestone. Many of us feel confident that you'll have many, many more. I'm a Mustie1 lifer! Stay safe, stay humble, Happy Christmas. Chuck in Kansas

Hello from England! I love this channel and your laid-back style. And the fact you don’t have that annoying habit of saying ‘go ahead and’ all the time! I also REALLY like the fact that you make mistakes like the rest of us but don’t edit them out. I for one would happily donate $5 and if the rest of your subscibers did that, you wouldn’t have to entertain crappy TV shows. Keep up the good work, mate! 👍👍👍

Please don't change... last thing we need is a Bob Vila with a garage... i think the key is that we are hanging out, watching you work the way you work, which is much the way we would work... Making do, finding other ways to skin the cat... Thanks Dave!

Channels that get contracts with tv shows usually say that its difficult because they expect you to do a project in an insane amount of time that its almost imposible.

I agree that you're much better off on your own than with all the TV hype and drama. I really enjoy watching your channel, and have learned so much from you. I just wish I had the garage setup like you do with all the various machinery and tools. I'd be tinkering all the time! Keep up the outstanding work and sharing your knowledge with all of us that are interested!

Well gone Darren and congratulations...Your vids are a pleasure to watch.

Interaction is the word that comes to mind when I watch your videos. I get a kick out of your comments about us holding a part or the comments you see coming in even though they didn't yet! That's where the interaction thing comes in. Makes us think and comment to ourselves as if we were there while the operation was taking place...hmm, maybe we were, congrats, Greg.

Congrats on100K. I enjoy the fact you CREATE. You work in a smart, frugal, systematic way that others can learn from.

Congrats on the 100k milestone! Thanks for the content, the vibe is chill, its like walking down to the neighbors and hanging out and thats how it comes across. Good luck on another 100k to follow.

It's really all about you as a person and how you present it. others do it but you bring a comfortable feel to the process. I have recommended you to others. Even talked about you to my mechanic. LOL! since watching you when I was searching for fixes on lawn tractors I have gotten hooked! LOL! Have seen you posting ON Jimmy D's and I hope you continue to do as you do, because like JD he has had a similar experience and now he has personal control. I have since starting to watch you, repaired PATIENTLY my 1990 Chevy PU tail lens which was a surprise since the last time I replaced a tail light. Had to rebuild it. Went to my hoard LOL! Have since acquired a non working lawn tractor and I now have a jumper pack and even do cold starts and problem solving. You are appreciated! Oh yeah I'm still waiting for Lincoln and other product guys to seek you out! best of luck in coming year.

I would do the same thing dont sign to them there just after making money out of you your worth far more than they are. congrats on 100.000 you deserve every single subscription because your a genuine decent man with a great talent and thats why we are all here enjoying what you do. here's to 200.000 and then that million.

Congratulations Darren, Ive been watching for about 4 years now and Ive always enjoyed your videos. Keep up the great work man.

I would love to see a video of your BLOOPERS. Thank you for your channel. Makes me look back on my life.

And not even a year later, already almost at 200k subscribers. I'm late to the party, a late subscriber, but I found you through AvE and Hand Tool Rescue and also while doing generator searching. You had some interesting generator videos up. In all honesty I'm glad you took no offer for a show. The way you do things now is great. Your videos make the viewers feel included as if they're actually there observing. You have a patient teaching atmosphere to the videos. It reminds me of the ideal dad in the shop showing us a bit what's going on without all the swearing to hold the light right LOL. You're the kind of guy I'd fix crap in a garage with for hours and enjoy it. Turn on some classic rock and have a beer with it. Lol

Don't sell yourself to the networks, You are already doing it Mustie1. Hey - I will buy had, shirts, Mustie1 range of tools, etc. Thanks for all your hard work.

Thank you for the great content. Thank you for not selling out. You and Jonathan W are my favorite channels

Congrats !! All the best Darrin, And Thank you for all that you do. You got me off my chair and back in the garage, I love watching i think of you as a Brother talk to you soon.

Congrats man! I love this channel. Don't change. TV shows are on the way out. You Tube lets you be real and share without all the silly edits. I have learned a tone watching your videos and they have inspired me to make some as well. Thank you!

Congratulations on 100k subscribers!!

MUSTIE 1 IS NUMBER 1 THUMBS up if you agree 😁

I just came across your channel a few weeks ago and I'm glad you didn't take that TV deal. You have a special gift explaining while doing, pointing out noteworthy technical tidbits, sharing your experiences and successes and mistakes, just a treasure trove of mechanical knowledge. Watching your videos is almost like being there with you, observing and learning from a master.Thanks from an old dixleksik VW Nut who wishes that your videos would have been available 30 years ago :-)

I just recently found your channel, and I have to say I've been binge watching it for a few days now. You are now my go to channel if I want to learn anything about small engines!! You're awesome

You deserve every subscriber, thanks for all the great videos

Just glad you did not sell your soul.Thanks i love your videos if they are 10mins long or a hour all the same to me.its not about the subs but the content.(Well done on getting 100k )

You made the right choice. I've heard of some people getting involved in these deals for the money. But it sounds like this production agency wasn't even offering any money to speak of. Surrendering control of something you love doesn't sound like a good option. Thank you for sticking to who you are.

To Bad There's not a Hell of alot more Dad's Like Mustie, Thank God My Father was ! BLESS YOU My Friend and your Family this Holiday Season, Keep Doing what your Doing, Love You Man. 😊

Hey Mustie, I've been completely addicted to your channel since I stumbled across it a few months ago now. I love you're way of working around new engines and stuff you bring in, it all makes so much sense now. I think you are a true inspiration, not only showing others the skills you have learnt but also not giving a dam and getting out there on your latest bike of Cushmann or whatever and just enjoying every bit of it. Keep up the great work and never change or sell out to anyone. All the best from Ireland.

As far as I'm concerned, don't change a thing, 100,000 of us knuckleheads can't be all wrong.

I agree with you you been doing great with the videos you load I've learned a lot from you especially yard sales finds👍👍

Congrats Mustie ! And good for you on staying true to first yourself and second to all of us subscribers I'm sure I can speak on behalf of us the subs, we love what you create and do, so thank you !! Merry Christmas

100.000% best You Tuber of 2017.Honest,talented and down to earth.A genuine nice guy.Don't ever change Mustie and thank you.

Good job man. I have learned a ton from you. Keep them coming

Congratulations on the 102K subs. Your appeal is that you are just being yourself and doing what you enjoy. It’s a formula that works for you.

Im so glad the company reached out to show how much your channel is loved. Thank you for all you do for this channel and Happy Holidays sir.

Congratulations I have been a loyal fan and subscriber for quite some time now.

Well done - always enjoy your videos and commentary. Keep on uploading ☃️🎅🤠

So glad for the positive things you talk about. So important to find a spot in life where you feel that you do something good!! Until the next time👋🏽

You're the Bob Ross of small engine repair. I love that about your channel; don't ever change.

Sounds like they gave you a boiler plate contract. Nice that you said no. Keep saying no till you get what you want.

Don't go with those companies that promise boosted viewership, increased subscribers. I have heard several bad things about it. I like this channel as it is. As you said you film 'orgainic' and thats what I like.

Keep it rolling on your end. TV shows is sooo yesterday. I am a grateful for this entertainment that You offer. Makes sense. Always a fan. And to all KZfaq users, thanks for this. I love having endless things to watch. I appreciate all of you. Keep it real!!!

I totally subscribed after watching this.... Keep on rock'n in the free world.! Congrats on 100K man.

Speaking for myself, the main reason I continue to watch your videos is because you show the process from A-Z even if it takes several videos you walk the viewer through all the steps from trouble shooting to repair. It's what makes your channel so appealing. Trying to compress all of that into a 30-60 minute program wouldn't work. I think you made the right call and I think I speak for about 100K people when I say a big thanks for what you share.

Dodged a bullet Mustie1! The nitty gritty and curveballs are my favorite part.

Youre awesome Darren way to go for not selling your soul to the devil. They dont give a crap about the content. all they care about is selling ad space. thats why the shows screen times keep shrinking. i know i worked at a tv station for seven years as an engineer. It was lousy the way they rushed everything to put more commercials on.

Congrats on the 100,000 subs & I'm lucky to see your videos & learn from you, keep up with the interesting rebuilds of dead motors.

From a selfish perspective, I am happy that you decided to stay true to your original objective of posting videos the way you do. I follow about 30 channels but actually am only dedicated to two or three. Yours is number one. You represent a style that is slowly fading away. In our consumer society, you still repair things using ingenuity and creativity. Most just chuck and buy another. Thank you for the videos. I have learned a lot and they inspire me to try things which I might otherwise not try.

Congratulations, can't wait for you to show off your silver button! They want it all and leave you in ashes. Even the mightiest oak started as a little nut that held its ground!

Congrats Mustie! always a pleasure to see a video pop up in my subs list!

You're the man Mustie. Thanks for all the vids, keep it up!

Congrats on reaching a milestone, and thanks for all the great content you post. If I had to guess, I would say it was Vice TV that made you the offer. Another youtuber named Louis Rossmann got a similar offer and declined for the same reasons. Don't sell out-they will take over the unique identity you have created through your hard work.

Congratulation Mustie 1 do what you feel comfortable with ........I think you have the right idea don't sell yourself .

First of all, congrats on the 100k! I love your content as it is, i rarely watch long videos but on this channel i always do and enjoy them relaxing at night. Also, i learn a lot from you. I like working on my own stuff and repair it. I enjoy when you explain your thought process i.e: check for gaz, check for spark, etc. I hope you enjoy teaching, more and more people get to learn stuff their dad never taught them when they were younger. I worked a lot on cars, snowblowers and quads with my father in our garage and i kind of miss that because i moved out for work...but i find a little bit of that in every of your video. And i respect you a lot for resurrecting old machines that people just throw away...because it is too easy buying new stuff all the time without going through some basic trouble shooting. We, as the human race, will have in the future to fix that kind of behavior...anyway. I hope you keep doing what you're doing right now, i always enjoy seeing your video pop up in my subs! Gratz again!

Thank you for the hours of entertainment and the lessons I have learned. Keep up the great work. Congrats on 100k!

I wish that my generation would have had you and the others who I consider natural teachers and youtube. This generation might not understand how fortunate they are to have so much knowledge at their finger tips. So thank you for teaching me cause I just love this stuff and I really don't know why LOL. Congrats on the 100k and thank God you didn't give in to the tv SHOW. Have Fun and Be Cool

Good choice ... it's all about being sovereign. I enjoy the time spent watching your channel. Thank you.

Mustie 1, you are a man of integrity! I enjoy your organic approach to fixing stuff and giving your audience a front row seat to the way you do what you do! I love that you are a great mechanic and teacher and would take the extra time to video it for US! A half hour TV show to make room for F-150 commercials, Bud Light...etc for nothing ($) doesn't seem like your style. If they start talking Tim Allen money....then I would totally understand, LOL! Keep up the GREAT work!

Congratulations. No kidding, best of luck going forward!