Mechanical & Precision Engineering Videos Hacker News Recommends

explainer#14

Around The Corner - How Differential Steering Works (1937)

US Auto Industry

“this video explaining differentials is from 1937 and is a marvel of pedagogy”

17 HN recommenders · 2013–2024

explainer#56

Detergent packs are kinda wishy-washy (Dishwashers Explained)

Technology Connections

“I highly recommend you watch this video by Technology connections[1], I too used to think I had to rinse my dishes before putting them in the machine.”

15 HN recommenders · 2021–2025

documentary#67

Mechanical Computer (All Parts) - Basic Mechanisms In Fire Control Computers

Excelsior10000

“It illustrates the problems and solutions near perfectly, and I've watched it way too many times.”

13 HN recommenders · 2014–2025

explainer#105

The Antique Toaster that's Better than Yours

Technology Connections

“In case you haven't seen this video of a toaster from the 60s before, you're in for a treat”

12 HN recommenders · 2019–2025

tutorial#145

U.S. NAVY BASIC MECHANISMS OF FIRE CONTROL COMPUTERS MECHANICAL COMPUTER INSTRUCTIONAL FILM 27794

PeriscopeFilm

“I especially like the section on differential gears, demonstrating their use as computing units”

11 HN recommenders · 2018–2026

explainer#147

The Ingenious Design of the Aluminum Beverage Can

engineerguy

“Whenever it’s about cans I can only recommend this video from the engineer guy”

9 HN recommenders · 2016–2026

documentary#228

Origins of Precision

Machine Thinking

“The Origins of Precision" is a half hour well spent”

11 HN recommenders · 2019–2025

talk#249

Elevator Hacking: From the Pit to the Penthouse

DeviantOllam

“it was so interesting to me that I ended up watching the entire 2 hours in one sitting.”

9 HN recommenders · 2014–2026

explainer#472

(1/4) Intro/History: Introducing a 100-year-old mechanical computer

engineerguy

“There is a series of four fantastic videos”

6 HN recommenders · 2015–2023

commentary#476

The Hyperloop: BUSTED!

Thunderf00t

“His videos on the hyperloop are pretty comprehensive and succinct about their reasoning.”

7 HN recommenders · 2016–2023

talk#500

DEF CON 22 - Deviant Ollam & Howard Payne - Elevator Hacking - From the Pit to the Penthouse

DEFCONConference

“If you liked the original post, you will probably LOVE this DEFCON talk about elevator hacking”

5 HN recommenders · 2016–2026

talk#506

[HOPE X] Elevator Hacking: From the Pit to the Penthouse

themarimbaincident

“This version is the best, with all details, no secrets withheld.”

4 HN recommenders · 2014–2023

tutorial#555

How Differential Gear works (BEST Tutorial)

ConceptVBS

“after watching this ancient Chevrolet training video from the 1930's I feel like I completely understand how diffs work”

5 HN recommenders · 2013–2020

documentary#561

Building The World's First Computer - Greeks, Clocks and Rockets - Antikythera Mechanism Episode 1

Clickspring

“Highly recommend for anyone who is fascinated by the care that goes into handmade mechanical devices.”

7 HN recommenders · 2018–2024

explainer#569

Old-fashioned rice cookers are extremely clever

Technology Connections

“I had no idea they were so clever, combining thermodynamics and the physics of magnetism.”

6 HN recommenders · 2020–2025

explainer#607

Old pinball machines are amazingly complex

Technology Connections

“I shared it with everyone I know, and now I'm sharing it with you”

6 HN recommenders · 2023–2026

explainer#752

The Most Powerful Computers You've Never Heard Of

Veritasium

“His video before this one[1] goes into detail on that, and it was incredible.”

6 HN recommenders · 2021–2025

explainer#753

Spinning Levers - How A Transmission Works (1936)

US Auto Industry

“The editing, pacing, and style were better.”

5 HN recommenders · 2018–2026

lecture#767

Control Bootcamp: Overview

Steve Brunton

“a sweet lecture series called the Control Bootcamp that dives deep into control fundamentals while still being approachable”

4 HN recommenders · 2020–2023

explainer#772

Drip Coffee Makers — super simple, super cheap

Technology Connections

“Anyone interested in how the traditional american coffee maker works should watch this.”

7 HN recommenders · 2022–2024

explainer#789

IBM Selectric Typewriter & its digital to analogue converter

engineerguy

“I highly recommend watching”

4 HN recommenders · 2016–2025

explainer#901

Is SpaceX's Raptor engine the king of rocket engines?

Everyday Astronaut

“A great place to start is this amazing video by The Everyday Astronaut”

4 HN recommenders · 2019–2022

demo#949

BOLTR: DYSON HAIR DRYER. Is it WORTH the MONEY?

AvE

“He was expecting to ridicule it but was instead blown away by the engineering”

4 HN recommenders · 2017–2023

explainer#1021

Most People Don't Know How Bikes Work

Veritasium

“It shows what happens if you prevent the rider from performing the countersteer before leaning into a turn [1].”

7 HN recommenders · 2021–2025

course#1172

Building Prototypes Dan Gelbart part 1 of 18 Introduction

Dan Gelbart

“series by Dan Gelbart on YouTube which is pure gold”

4 HN recommenders · 2015–2022

other#1220

Giant Robot Project, Part 1

Jaimie Stuff

“I'm afraid I've wrecked what's left of the work day as I follow the saga.”

3 HN recommenders · 2011–2020

comedy#1232

"Turbo Encabulator" the Original

Dave Rondot

“Doug Zongker's presentation similarly instructs people how to make better presentations to peers by demonstrating what not to do”

4 HN recommenders · 2016–2026

tutorial#1235

Clockmaking - How To Make A Clock In The Home Machine Shop - Part 1 - Making The Clock Frames

Clickspring

“It's also a masterpiece, just in a different medium”

3 HN recommenders · 2017–2024

demo#1246

[1299] Unpickable Locks From Stuff Made Here

LockPickingLawyer

“The interaction of engineering and "use" by the Lock Picking Lawyer”

5 HN recommenders · 2021–2022

documentary#1338

The Fastest Maze-Solving Competition On Earth

Veritasium

“is a nice introduction to the competition and its technical history.”

5 HN recommenders · 2023–2024

talk#1407

Construction of the 10000 year clock - Alexander Rose (SETI Talks)

SETI Institute

“this very long but fascinating video discusses it”

3 HN recommenders · 2015–2019

explainer#1501

KSP Doesn't Teach: Rocket Engine Plumbing

Scott Manley

“Scott Manley has a fantastic video explaining all of this”

3 HN recommenders · 2019

explainer#1510

How to achieve nanometer precision in space?

Breaking Taps

“I highly recommend”

4 HN recommenders · 2022–2026

explainer#1535

Why Machines That Bend Are Better

Veritasium

“Veritasium videos are pretty darn high quality.”

3 HN recommenders · 2019–2021

documentary#1555

The Secret Life of the Vacuum Cleaner - Remastered

tim hunkin

“I cannot recommend it strongly enough.”

3 HN recommenders · 2021–2026

explainer#1570

Prius Hybrid Drive Explained

Niels Blaauw

“here’s a great video explaining how it really works. It blew my mind...”

3 HN recommenders · 2019–2024

documentary#1573

A4 / V2 Rocket in detail: Turbopump

Astronomy and Nature TV

“this series of videos is definitely worth watching”

3 HN recommenders · 2019–2022

explainer#1599

How does a Bowling Pinsetter Machine work? (Brunswick GS-X)

Jared Owen

“some of the best I've ever seen, and relatively recent.”

4 HN recommenders · 2023–2026

documentary#1604

Pipe Organ (5-story instrument)

Rob Scallon

“You'll want to give a watch”

3 HN recommenders · 2023–2026

lecture#1625

Understanding the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

WeberAuto

“I understood after I watched the brilliant Weber Auto video on it, published 5 years ago[0].”

3 HN recommenders · 2023–2026

demo#1686

Primitive Technology: Cord drill and Pump drill

Primitive Technology

“If you're interested in seeing someone make these take a look at this Primitive Technology video”

3 HN recommenders · 2016–2018

documentary#1726

The 1751 Machine that Made Everything

Machine Thinking

“Also Machine Thinking's videos "The 1751 Machine that Made Everything”

2 HN recommenders · 2020–2023

explainer#1810

Adam Savage's Epiphany on the Science of Measurement!

Adam Savage’s Tested

“I think you will thoroughly enjoy Adam Savage's (of Mythbusters fame) recent video on measurement.”

3 HN recommenders · 2022–2023

demo#1901

TWO Unpickable (?) Locks for Lock Picking Lawyer!

Stuff Made Here

“Together they give a whole new understanding of lock design and picking methods.”

3 HN recommenders · 2021–2022

explainer#1970

Tesla Is Lightyears Ahead Of... Tesla

SuperfastMatt

“This is a great video by SuperfastMatt on the engineering behind and evolution of the Tesla door handle.”

3 HN recommenders · 2022–2026

documentary#2022

The Secret Life of Machines - Vacuum Cleaners 1/2

Buddy Runyan

“These overviews give you just enough knowledge to start debugging a broken household machine.”

3 HN recommenders · 2017–2020

demo#2042

Automatic Bullseye, MOVING Dartboard

Mark Rober

“Another great video is his automatic bulls eye dartboard [2].”

2 HN recommenders · 2017–2020

explainer#2155

The Insane Engineering of James Webb Telescope

Real Engineering

“For some context around what makes this deployment so remarkable, watch this[0] video”

3 HN recommenders · 2021–2022