[user5994461]

The video would get more credit if it showed the "light saber" some more (rather than pushing to pay to get more footage) and if it weren't filled with ads.

It's a great idea to use a blow torch and all that. I want to see it. It's just sad the video is more about getting eyeballs and monetization than showing anything.

[ethbr0]

You reply to the parent with exactly the sort of opinion they despair of?

Hacksmith is transparent this is how they fund builds.

I realize we've become entitled to expecting people to work for free for our entertainment, but expertise, shop equipment, parts, and build time are not free.

[pugworthy]

No they are not free. But there are other ways to approach monetization. There is a style to some videos that some of just just find annoying and a real turnoff. Literally.

[ipython]

What are the other, more “high brow” ways, to approach monetization?

[pugworthy]

Go watch some of the videos from “Primitive Technology” or “My Mechanics” or "Silently Cooking".

No talking, no music, goofy thumbnail pics with emoji faces or red circles. Just creating.

The content may not be your cup of tea but personally I as well as others seem to enjoy them.

[pugworthy]

Not the same style but Marques Brownlee is hugely successful while creating useful, entertaining, and valuable content.

[brg]

By way of example, NileRed and AppliedScience take extremely different approaches to both presentation and acknowledging sponsorship.

[ballenf]

Here are 5 YT channels covering technology, engineering and tools that feel much less monetization-focused, but still produce very informative content:

- Tech Ingredients

- DIY Perks

- Brainiac75

- Project Farm (not really about farming -- cut & dry tools & such review)

- AvE (Arduino vs. evil) (not really about arduino)

(sibling comment included a couple others that I would have included here also)

The first two focus on engineering and building unique things, so are probably the most similar to the creators in question. AvE is all over the map and an either love or hate kind of channel -- and the channel seems more about educating, teaching and evaluating others' engineering.

[WrtCdEvrydy]

> There is a style to some videos that some of just just find annoying and a real turnoff. Literally.

Maybe because we reward this style with views, engagement and ultimately money.

[user5994461]

>>> I realize we've become entitled to expecting people to work for free...

Do you realize that they made around $30k from youtube alone for this single video?

[ethbr0]

$30k income

$2k laminar flow gas nozzle (believe that was mentioned in the video)

~$1k misc parts? (including prototypes and testing)

So that's ~$27k for labor and shop depreciation (machinery and building)

So ~$25k left.

Let's say it took 4 people 1 week (40 hours) to build. 160 person-hours total.

$25,000 / 160 = $156 / hr

For feast-or-famine creative work, that doesn't seem unreasonable.

[Aunche]

This video was just showing the build. They said that they'll share the lightsaber in action on Youtube next week.