I was about to "build something cool" in the shop before watching this then lying on the bed and crying now.

Amazing work as always!

Rob, I do like to follow your work. I've heard it said that explanation concurrent with demonstration is the most effective teaching method for technical material; you're proving this aphorism with your every video. Those considering adding silver brazing to your skill set should not be fooled by the apparently red heat seen in the silver soldering demonstration part of the video. Actual silver brazing temp is a bit cooler than that. Video cameras see further into infra-red, rendering what would seem dull red to the eye into cherry red on the screen. For the record, Harris SafetySilv 45 brazing temperature is1370⁰ to 1550⁰ F. Harris Safety Silv 56 is 1200⁰ to 1400⁰ F. Safety Silv white flux active range 1000⁰ to 1600⁰ F. Safety Silv black flux active range 1050⁰ to 1700⁰ F. The other difference between the two fluxes is the black flux has a boron content that extends its working time. Flux activity is time limited at brazing temperature. Silver brazing if done expeditiously is a sure and reliable method of bonding metals into strong permanent assemblies. The liquid flux oxidizes in air over time forming a tough film that inhibit joint wetting by the silver alloy. For that reason, plan your operation and have everything handy. IOW, do not dally. A final point is joint cleanliness. Clean the joint thoroughly, then scrub the joint surfaces with Comet cleanser, a stiff brush, and water followed by a hot water rinse. Do not follow with a solvent clean. Conventional wisdom decrees a final acetone wash. Acetone is a commercial product containing impurities, reaction fractions, wax, and tramp particulates. These pyrolyze and inhibit flux activity and joint wetting. Repeating: Do NOT solvent clean. Scrub the joint components with cleanser and water, etc then immediately braze the joint. A thoroughly clean silver brazing joint never misses.

This is how you lay out a fire zone in artillery. We used ours over distances of several KM. You can put an 8 inch round within a 2 foot radius over several miles with a well set and columated gun. They are incredibly accurate.

Pretty sweet sled you got there Robin. Can't wait to see the mount for the Kollmorgen collimator. I really liked the flag machining sequence. All the best, Tom

Although I’m not surprised at Robin’s skill, meticulous craftsmanship, or design capability, having seen other of his videos, I am amazed at all the effort that went into building these things to measure up just his own plate! And how does he know about all these special parts like the bearing washers and the funny screws and the pads the mirror gizmo spins on? If there was a Nobel prize for machining Robin would be a lock! Spectacular! (And thanks for showing all this.)

Looks like I'm not going to bed tonight. Time to bust out the notebook and gain some knowledge.

I'm always amazed to see laboratory grade equipment built in your home shop. I guess that just shows that while the tools are important, it's really the craftsman that counts.

Glass bead finished parts look so good.

My "self-perceived level of intelligence" took a pretty big hit watching this video. I'm curious how many hours you have in this project. Thanks for sharing

You make the seemingly impossible appear possible to us mortals and along the way show simple but effective techniques that we can use e.g. the use of the toolmakers clamps. Looking forward to more on the Collimator if you publish it.

An absolute privilege that you take the time time to share your technique and talent. So many lessons in a short video, thank you Robin, you are an inspiration.

So many useful tips in 42 minutes. Wow! The tips on precisiongrinding alone were worth the time. Learned more about that subject than all previous research combined. Thank you very much.

The thought process involved for your order of operations always tickle my brain. The level of experience displayed is just awe inspiring.

Those mirror stands are totally awesome.

A treat every time you upload, thanks for the work.

I watch this and all the precision fits and pieces while I am beating together pieces with a sledge hammer in my shop. I feel like I barely rate caveman status. lol When I first saw those parts I thought they were castings. Not sure what is more impressive the level of fit detail or that you could make all that in 3 days. Just WOW, Impressive!

I'm quite speechless to be honest. This video is an absolute marteclass, not only in machining but also on design. Brilliant as always Robin, thanks for sharing and take care!!

Very impressive. Thank you very much for sharing.

Incredible work. Thank you for sharing this with us.

Robin that was a delight to watch thank you

I am astounded truly. Incredible work.

This is a must see channel, well done

Awesome! I’ve been waiting for you to do a video on autocollimators. Your videos always help me understand the tools I use a whole lot better.

Educational as always. Thank you, Robin.

Very, very impressive work and great explanation, as always!

Another fine clinic, Thank You for sharing.

There are so many takeaways in this video its crazy! Very cool vid, Robrenz.

Simply beautiful, I shed a tear 😢👍🏼

Robin: you are on a whole other level than 99.9% of all other humans. Great work!

Wow! I'm blown away by your skill again.

just dense packed with great machining tips!

Really informative Robin! Thanks for your time! Cheers, Doug

Wow. Simply amazing and gorgeous work. Great job Robin.

Great video and job Robin. Always a treat looking over your shoulder and learning. Thankyou!

Gorgeous work.

Wow Robin, great work as always! I love to see the thought you put into your projects.

Simply fascinating ........ Thanks for making these detailed videos - always something to learn from them.

Bravo! Thanks for sharing this. I’m a big fan of the 2-speed kinematic mirror adjustor system.

Very impressed! I like watching someone make laboratory grade tools!

A lot to absorb, will have to watch again later, which will be a pleasure. Charles

I want to know the 3 fools who would dislike anything robrenz uploads. He chooses to teach us some of the most informative information on KZfaq. You 3 ppl should feel privileged to be blessed by a man with this type of wisdom! Thanks robben u sir are one of the best teachers and probably have forgotten more then they will ever know in their lifetime. Keep up great work

I particularly liked the set-ups on the grinder. I always learn something new when I watch your videos. Thanks for another great video.

For whatever reason, this reminds me of my days as a fusion splicer. Cool stuff.

You’re an absolute beast!!!

Absolutely beautiful. I have no use for an autocollimator, but it would be fun to have as a conversation piece. Great job as usual.

Incredible talent

Fantastic, as always! Such a good teacher...

Great work, and thanks for sharing your knowledge and skills. Medicine for the home-bound.

The explanation, design and execution were magnificent!! Thank you.

This is so thoroughly impressive! I especially liked the machining of the flags and the glass bead finishing. Super interesting project!

14:49 with my AirPods in was like scratching my teeth across a chalkboard. I haven't had every hair on my body stand up like that for months. Haha. But in all seriousness, your work is fantastic and it is such an inspiration. Keep it up!

great video Rob. I learned quite a bit about autocollimators and their use - thanks!

Robin, I just want to say thank you for taking what are quite complex trains of thought and tricks that you’ve spent your entire career honing, and breaking them down into something even I, an amateur machinist can understand. I’ve been teaching camera operating for television and film for years (what I do for a living), and I’ve always found that there are so many people in the world who are incredibly good at their jobs, but can’t explain it, and it’s a wonderful treat to see someone who has not only the skills but the ability to explain why you’re doing what you’re doing.

As soon as I stop weeping, I am going to sell all of my tools! What an amazing job Rob. Thanks so much for sharing!

Wow, this is fantastic!

Can't wait to see you Robinize a surface plate using this tool.

Just a mad scientist, in the best possible way!!!

i have no words ... except, absolutely impressive work

Beautiful Tool! John

Amazing work! 👍🏻👍🏻

THANK YOU for your time to create and share..SO many lessons

Now ... dammit! Such a nice and clever construction with excellent details. Plus machining that is worth every precision instrument. And all these cool looking parts frosted with the nice finish! I pull my hat!

Wonderful break down. The finished product is sending a shot across Clickspring's bow... I have a lathe project in the works now, and I will definitely be using lessons learned here...

So much valuable information. Incredible Robin.

this is just mindblowing...the radius you made on those pins...

Another spectacular video. Thanks for sharing your vast store of knowledge. So many great tips. Turning dreams into reality.

Another great video Robin! Keep them coming. Steve

I really like the trick of coming in the other side of a threaded hole with a set screw to set a depth. It never occurred to me before. I can think of a few times when that would have been the right thing to do. Instead I used Loctite and felt uneasy about it!

As usual, you have presented a beautiful precision assembly and I have learned many things. The component used to lock the differential screw is wonderful and I shall be using that idea on a current project of mine. Thank you for freely sharing you knowledge.

Wow this is both inspiring and humbling to watch. The silver solder part was satisfying!

Absolutely beautiful workmanship and design (mechanical and aesthetic). Thanks for the video.

Amazing, thanks. I was really happy when I understood the 3 legged gizmo......

Fantastic video sir, thank you.

Wow! There was a lot of knowledge packed into those 42 minutes. Thanks!

Amazing work as always. Such a level of precision. Impressive and inspiring. Thank you very much.

Love the finish on the parts. You always have interesting stuff, and impressive levels of detail. But this video blew my mind. Probably cause I am starting to understand machining and the processes around it better. So I have a greater respect for what is being accomplished and why.

You sure do a good job at explaining the engineering and making of a complicated project. Thanks for your valuable time.

Fantastic and impressive as always Robin!

Your channel along with Dan Gelbart's are the ones that Ive spent most time on, watching and re-watching countless times. Thanks again for uploading content like this, you're the best teacher ever. (And this video is just in time for lapping my "practice" granite plates.)

Very impressive to say the least. It is nice to watch an expert work. Thanks for the video.

Excelling in taking consideration to minute details to achieve excellence. Awesome and beatiful.

A few life times of experience showing here.

very good video..thanks for your time

If Tom Lipton is 'Q' (from James Bond), then I am wondering what you are. At least a master in the arts of fine mechanics and a very good teacher too. We mere mortals are very glad that there are people like you, Tom, Stefan and some other guys who show us all their magical tricks for us to try to do this too.

I don't know why it surprised me when I got to the part where you showed making them. I've been watching you long enough I should just assume you've made everything in your shop unless you say otherwise.

Nothing can be said except OMG, Legend.

I love your videos. Every decision you make has a purpose and is very well thought out, both in regards to how you will go about machining the parts as well as how those features will work in the end product. I strive to design parts with as much intent and purpose as you do. Every video I see just shows how much more there is to learn. I always click on your videos because it seems like an interesting topic, not knowing there are about 20 new tips and tricks and knowledge about materials thrown in throughout the video. I will be adding dowel pin holes to my tapped fixture plates from now on, that seems like a very efficient way to quickly line up parts to the mill.

Excellent, as always. Great design on the turning mirror. I have that same Davidson autocollimator and I'm likely to copy some or all of your design features.

Brilliant! Thanks for sharing!

Amazing work! 👏👏👏👌👌👌

Robin's breaf information is PhD level for most people......

One of the best projects you have documented to date, IMO. You are truly in a class of your own in the machining world. Luckily your son can carry on this phenomena! 😉 This is an amazing project, let me pick my jaw up off the floor. 😀

Didn't know what one was, but thanks for the thorough and detailed explanation. I have a greater appreciation for the finer points of their use and even more so for the construction of the 'accessories'. Outrageously refined and clean design. This is my second time watching and it just keeps getting better!

Robin, you may play down the value of the content you are providing but to me YOU ARE A HERO! I have been working on building a CNC machine in my home shop and have been really interested in both autocollimators for machine alignment and your work lapping the surface plate. Little things like the view inside the autocollimator and your thought process on the additional components are SUPER valuable. Thank you so much for sharing. P.s. I am really interested in how the Renz'ometer measures the calibration of the plate versus the standard use of an autocollimator.

Excellent demonstration Rob, brilliant design and manufacture of the instruments. I've used a 0.025 mm per Metre level on tables and machines, and plotted the flatness deviation using a spreadsheet (took me several days to get the formula) Great vlog, thanks for sharing and best regards John.

Great video! Thanks for explaining all that. 👍 P.s. Always learn a ton from your videos and always impressed with your craftsmanship!

I have a Hilger and Watts angle dekkor but no mirrors. I guess I have another thing on my to do list. Thanks for sharing another beautifully executed project!

always love your videos, this one was awesome as per your usual. i thought "he's pushing that sled with a skewer to avoid inputting heat" and then you said you were doing it for that very reason. i learned that from you. thanks for teaching and it never ceases to amaze me how much i learn every time i watch. you've multiplied your talents over a lifetime. respect on multiple levels!

Stunning work. I sure wish I was 1/10th as clever and thoughtful. Thanks Robin for sharing. I learn more than I ever imagined watching you, the humble master, at work. 👍😎👍. Joel......