Restoration videos on Youtube radiate hope

A few months back, the all-knowing algorithm recommended a video chronicling the full restoration of a 19th century ratcheting screwdriver. Curiosity, and certainly a need to procrastinate from something, urged me to click on it.

For the next 20 minutes, the sounds of disassembly and parts scraping across My Mechanics table, the transformative magic of the sandblaster, and the mesmerizing, unwavering work of the lathe completely captivated me. By the end, my wife and one year old were watching along with me as the craftsman slid a brand new 120 year old screwdriver across the screen and demonstrated all its perfectly functioning parts. A restoration video kick ensued, and it affected the way I see the world.

Directly, the parts that make up the mechanical world have become more clearly malleable. Making and fixing things around me is a more feasible reality. Beyond that, things in general seem more redeemable. A crack on the wall, a loose wheel on the lawnmower, a malfunctioning seat belt sensor, or a bad habit are all more pragmatically solvable.

Break the issue down to its parts, clean out the debris, reassemble and remedy any fissures. Add some stain, paint, zinc-plating or steel-bluing along the way for style points.