#material-science
160 episodes · Page 2 of 7
#5050: Engraving Hardened Steel: Carbide Grades & Hardness Tests
How to measure material hardness without destroying your workpiece, and pick the right carbide grade for stainless steel engraving.
#5049: How Deep Does an Engraving Need to Be?
Why engraving outlasts stickers and ink — and what NASA specs reveal about carving for the ages.
#5034: Moving Heavy Boxes Off High Shelves, Safely
Warehouse pros never lift above shoulder height. Here’s how to apply that rule to your tall home shelving.
#5007: Cordura & YKK: What the Numbers Actually Mean
Denier isn't toughness. Zipper gauge isn't everything. Here's what to actually look for in EDC gear.
#4949: Honing vs Sharpening: What Actually Happens at the Edge
The magnetism myth debunked, plus the real tools and techniques for keeping blades sharp.
#4898: The Suitcase That Lasts Forever
What cabin crew know about luggage that lasts — and which brands actually survive the tarmac.
#4870: Crossbody vs Waist Pack: Travel Security Without the Tourist Look
Why pockets fail, and how to carry your passport securely without looking like a tourist.
#4839: How to Make Suede Boots Last 10 Years
What makes Redback boots last 5-10 years — and how suede care changes everything.
#4833: How to Label a Historical Book Without Destroying It
Wheat starch paste, acid-free paper, and graphite pencil — the surprisingly specific protocol for labeling old books safely.
#4830: The Hammock Physics Problem
Why collapsible indoor hammock stands wobble, what a decent outdoor one costs, and the hardware you actually need.
#4821: Workwear Face-Off: Carhartt vs Dickies in the Heat
Which tough pants survive summer? We break down duck canvas vs ripstop blends.
#4802: Signs That Survive: Wind, Ice & Jet Wings
How highway gantries, airport taxiway signs, and Arctic markers are engineered to survive wind, ice, and impact.
#4795: Workwear as Anti-Label: Ditching Inherited Fashion
Why a DIY project triggered one man's break from Banana Republic and Ralph Lauren — and what he's wearing instead.
#4761: The Click That Changed Storage: Akro Mills Deep Dive
Why a 1940s Ohio bin company still beats Uline knock-offs at 8-foot drops.
#4727: Surviving the Negev: Matching VHB Tape to Desert UV & Heat
From Jerusalem UV to freezing nights — which 3M VHB tape actually survives the desert? Part numbers and specs inside.
#4724: 18 Clothes That Last Decades
How many pants, shorts, and shirts does a guy actually need? We do the math.
#4630: The EDC Belt Revolution: Nylon Webbing & Ratchet Mechanics
Why nylon webbing and ratchet buckles beat leather and holes — the material science and engineering behind the modern EDC belt.
#4583: Structural Stone: The Building Material That Lasts 500 Years
Stone buildings outlast concrete by centuries — and engineers are bringing it back with post-tensioning and CNC cutting.
#4561: Why Concrete Crumples: Tension vs. Compression
Why does a material that holds skyscrapers crumble when hung? A beginner's guide to seeing the built world differently.
#4560: How Strong Can Plastic Actually Get?
From Euroboxes to bulletproof vests — tracing the molecular secrets behind plastic's surprising strength.
#4512: Steel vs Aluminum vs Plastic: The Real Sustainability Story
Steel, aluminum, and plastic compared on carbon footprint, recyclability, and real-world lifespan. The answers might surprise you.
#4510: What All Plastics Actually Have in Common
Plastics aren't a single material. Their chemistry determines if they fragment, leach, or truly break down.
#4508: How Concrete Conquered Stone
Roman concrete self-healed for 2,000 years. So why did stone lose out?
#4507: The 30-Year Plastic Crate That Runs Global Logistics
How an Israeli injection-moulded polypropylene box became invisible infrastructure powering global supply chains for decades.