[carbide]

Cool idea, terrible acting. I feel like the "wow" factor in his audience was really killed by the awkward way he made it look like he was pushing a button and waiting for something to happen, instead of struggling to "lift" the hammer while he waited for the thumbprint to register.

[Cerium]

I knew a guy that made a lightsaber that only he could use. Part of the act was that only a "real Jedi" can activate a lightsaber. He used a neodymium ring and a hall sensor. The trick was seamless.

[HeyLaughingBoy]

With all the people getting magnets implanted subcutaneously, that would be an even better trick!

[sslayer]

This would end badly - around this Thors hammer, it would rip them right out through the skin.

[curiousGambler]

And this is why I will never get a magnet implant, despite the wicked cool ability to sense active AC power lines.

[tsotha]

As would an MRI, presumably.

[spike021]

What about implanting an NFC chip and having the hammer stuck to a holder/floor as-is with a strong magnet?

[paultannenbaum]

I agree. I think dressing up as Thor and playing up the crowd the way you suggested would have gone a long way. Also putting the fingerprint scanner where you one actually grabs the handle from, somewhere midway on the shaft, would have been a better design.

If you like this kind of stuff, check out Colin Furze's youtube channel. He does some similar experiments, and is very entertaining.

https://www.youtube.com/user/colinfurze

[dfc]

It is kind of terrifying seeing him operate so many machines with his tie dangling around his neck. He obviously knows his way a round a shop better than I do but I always thought neckties were no-nos in the shop.

[JoachimSchipper]

Wearing them still isn't a good idea, but clip-on ties will at least break away when they get caught rather than forcing your head into some machine...

[azernik]

From the constant cuts to extreme close-up, I'm betting he puts on the tie and collared shirt for talking-to-the-camera shots (and one or two per episode where a machining tool is on, but he's carefully away from it) and takes it off most of the time when he's actually working.

[Zarel]

A wireless remote hidden in a shoe or something may have been a better idea. Struggling to lift the hammer doesn't really fit Thor, either.

[TrevorJ]

A simple disguised mechanical switch would have worked much better. Set it up so you have to push the handle down before pulling it up to disengage the magnet for instance.

[blazespin]

lol. It's a great geek thing to do. These completely random acts of technology is how great things are born, believe it or not.

[TeMPOraL]

Indeed. This is also the kind of thing I would really like to be doing. Alas, $dayjob. :<.