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Hi, I’m Colin Furze. I am a British plumber turned Garage Inventor/Video Maker with over 5.5 million video views. I hold over six Guinness World Records for the largest bonfire, the longest motorcycle, the fastest speed on a mobility scooter, the ...
Thanks for all your questions! I will check in later and see if there are any unanswered top comments. See you on Furzeday for the big Star Wars reveal. My debut book was just released from Penguin Young Readers/Razorbill and features 10 new inventions you can do at home. You can check it out here. I also dropped my book from space. You can see my videos here.
I also star in my own YouTube Red show called Furze World Wonders.
I’ll be answering questions from 12 to 1 PM ET. After that, check me out on twitter.
Proof: https://twitter.com/colin_furze/status/934123968121974784
Edit: It's 5.5 million subscribers, 600 mill views arghhhhhh!
sjiuodjuks2220 karma
Do you know that Furz means fart in German? Maybe it was your destiny to become a plumber and now you disturbed the space time continuum?
colinfurze2718 karma
I'm very aware of this and feel I should make a German themed Colin fart video
babybirdbones2009 karma
What was one project that you regretting starting because it got too dangerous, costly, etc., but had to finish anyways? Thanks!
colinfurze2769 karma
The fire tornado just WOULD NOT WORK but turns out it was just the weather so glad I persevered but was a tough, cold January!
Luciferist1800 karma
I've seen all your videos and always wonder, is that tie a clip-on? safety wise of course.
edit: grammer
colinfurze2079 karma
I'ma plummer by trade but all my welding and machining skills are all self taught. I've just bought tools and tried to use them. Things have been broken along the way
colinfurze1723 karma
Rick uses it as a band practice room, I watch the formula 1 down there and it's a store for my inventions. It doesn't smell and has never got damp! #amazing
Chicknomancer980 karma
How do you feel about the YouTube community right now? Also, have you ever thought about a colab with William Osman or one of the other engineerish channels?
colinfurze972 karma
I feel YouTube is the same now as it ever was with people talking and sharing ideas. It's just got bigger which can change people's perceptions. I'll have to check that guy out!
colinfurze1545 karma
I have many favourites but the bunker gets used the most, the mobility scooter launched the channel and I can't believe the hover bike worked
jo_shadow757 karma
Would you ever consider a colab with Adam Savage, aka. u/mistersavage? A video of you guys on Tested would be amazing.
colinfurze1281 karma
Yeah there's a few I'd like to collab with that are stateside but the huge, gaping pot of water in between makes things difficult. My next collab will probs be with Alec Steele
sbnufc516 karma
Have you been to Bombay Cottage in Stamford? I went on the way to Stansted from the north and it was well nice
edit: holy shit I just found this image when googling it https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/07/fb/1c/aa/havin-fun-with-our-tuck.jpg
colinfurze740 karma
To my surprise we woke up in the morning and it had all burnt away. I think the ground was so hot it helped keep the coals burning until gone
Jgc242451 karma
Hey Colin, love the channel! What project would you most like to do if you had an unlimited budget?
glennss442 karma
Hi Colin, been a fan for years, your projects are great.. my favourite is the TukTuk..
Simple question... how many fireworks for 6 million subs and what will they be attached to ? :D
picklelord314402 karma
Where do you get inspiration from? On a similar note, what youtube channels are your favorite?
colinfurze540 karma
Inspiration can come from many places, other videos, silly thoughts and accidental mistakes. Hacksmith, James Bruton and Alec Steele are pretty good!
colinfurze652 karma
My Mum doesn't like fire related ones but generally they look forward to seeing what comes out the shed!
kokiri_link330 karma
Hi Colin - who is your favourite tube supplier in Peterborough and why is it Apex Tubes?
colinfurze416 karma
I just love that dairy grade stainless and the free supply of biscuits
aPleasantFellow294 karma
Hi Colin, Love your work! Have you ever destroyed a safety tie or has it always done it’s job?
colinfurze470 karma
We are currently on the 2nd tie and 3rd shirt. The previous tie was falling apart and stank really bad
colinfurze397 karma
The 100mph dodgem as I'd made such a good job of it I couldn't stop staring at it!
Tanddant237 karma
Have you made any inventions that you actually use on a day to day basis? I don't imagine a thermite kettle to be too practical in the long run
greiger237 karma
Do you prefer to meal prep or make meals throughout the week? Or do you mostly do fast foods?
qndk229 karma
Do you want your son to follow in your footsteps or would you rather he did something a little safer?
colinsbiggestfan195 karma
What is the most scared you have ever been doing one of your videos?
colinfurze422 karma
Half way through the 360 swing build it didn't look safe which was worrying as I was nearly 10 metres off the ground!
jimmyhatts187 karma
Hey Colin. Thanks for the videos. I was turned on to them by an old mate of yours here in Thailand. He passes on this message:
Hey fur ball .. hows it going when can we make some more cheap kungfu movies
(slantie)
As for my question: When are you coming down to Thailand to make a few videos? Let's just say there are fewer safety rules/regulations down here.
colinfurze213 karma
Funny you should ask I have an idea in mind which would take me there. Tell Tanner fish freedom is looking for him
washingtonpost181 karma
As a creator who are some of your biggest influences, in the past and today?
colinfurze285 karma
Love the Victorians as they built everything so solid and to last. As for the present so many people doing so many cool things it's hard to choose. Also I'm locked in a shed for 24hrs so I have blinkered vision
the_drew181 karma
How much notice do you give to the neighbours / the police / the council for your projects? The AT-AT for exampple, did you need planning permission for that?
qndk161 karma
I mentioned this in a comment section but it didn't really pick up steam so I'm going to mention it here as a potential project for Furze's invention show. Can you make a machine, that makes coleslaw? So you put all your lovely veggies in and a few jars of mayo and it slices the veggies and mixes it all together all at once. Inb4 any smartass tries to mention a food processor or a blender they don't chop things they just mush which isn't what the beautiful slaw is about. On a related note more Furze's invention show pls xox.
colinfurze255 karma
It's a good idea but a Furze slaw wouldn't have mayo in as I hate it. Mother used salad cream as a replacement, is this acceptable?
lurking_digger161 karma
Hello, thank you for your time and efforts
How do you scavenge for parts? Do have quite the collection before hand or you go looking during the planning stages?
colinfurze198 karma
A little bit of both. Four of the under bench drawers you see in the shed are full of potentially useful items. Sometimes I'll find an item and make the project around that
drbschdn151 karma
Hello Colin. I really enjoy watching your videos on YouTube. A lot of the time, it seems that you're working alone in your shed. Are there generally more people around working on things than we see, or are you typically just slogging away keeping yourself (and us) entertained?
colinfurze317 karma
Most of the time it is just me but Rick helps me out on the larger projects where a second pair of hands is needed. But I do all the editing, designing, social media etc all myself
WalrusForHire138 karma
Do you have any more plans to fart at France, did anyone give you shit for pulling that prank?
scapegr4ce110 karma
Do you plan your designs beforehand, or just get an idea and run with it? Also, how often have you gotten to the middle of a project and found you had to change everything? Thanks for doing this AMA! One of my favorite channels on YouTube.
colinfurze143 karma
I may do a rough sketch but most of the time I just start and yes you do sometimes have to change things
MicroQuantum105 karma
Hey Colin. We are engineers and developers. Some of the videos you make inspire us. Have you ever thought of making a jetpack build? A more serious question though, what do you think of STEM initiatives for school children?
colinfurze178 karma
Yeah I'd love to make a jetpack at some point as it would complete my James Bond villain status to go with my bunker. As for STEM getting kids into science, building or anything in a practical way from an early age is great
ledgenskill104 karma
ever thought about going on robot wars? or making something even better aka something that wouldnt fit to their pansy safety rules ;D
DRD2992102 karma
How often do sponsors reach out to you to make thing like the Deus Ex gauntlets and others?
colinfurze140 karma
Things come in waves as games, films etc. all tend to come out at similar times eg. spring, summer, Christmas
ThyFicus90 karma
Do you ever plan on doing a bigger project for your magneto shoes? Or something else with the electro magnets?
colinfurze127 karma
Some projects aren't as expensive as they look, it was a case of waiting for parts to become available at the right price
A_confusedlover48 karma
How did you gain your initial YouTube audience? Was it a viral video that set off your career or was it constant really good videos or something else?
colinfurze113 karma
Mixture of both. wall of death, mobility scooter, jet bike videos gave initial boost but good content has maintained growth
colinfurze98 karma
I started on the first of August and finished 10th October but in the middle I built the Assassin's Creed hidden blade so I think 6-7 weeks
TheWolfXCIX30 karma
Love the channel Colin, also saw your exhibit at Beaulieu which was awesome.
My question is has there been a project you scrapped or altered for safety reasons? Also will you be doing more on YouTube red or will you be doing free to watch from now on?
colinfurze104 karma
There is no more YouTube Red videos so all videos free as normal from now on. I made a bacon cooking machine which at present is a bacon jamming and burning machine
fantumn26 karma
Hi Colin!! Been a subscriber for over a year now, love your style of building, what was the first large piece of manufacturing equipment you bought for your shed, and which machine would you miss the most if it broke?
colinfurze52 karma
A pillar drill would be the first large one but welder would be missed as when I first learnt to weld I felt like the world was opened up before me
WetSpongeOnFire26 karma
How do you find sponsors? Do they come to you or do you go to them? Also what was the best sponsor to work with?
colinfurze78 karma
All sponsors come to me. They're all great to work with as I only work with sponsors who allow me to do what I want to do
sparky433723 karma
After building a number of record breaking speed machines, are there any plans for another speed record attempt? Surely the jet engines can be put to more good use?
colinfurze47 karma
I'd like to try some different records as most of my records are speed related and I like to change things up as much as possible. There's always a use for a jet engine
colinfurze48 karma
We have the Star Wars reveal, then I want to do some more crazy vehicles
Tookie_Williams9 karma
You have quite the interesting taste in music! 1.) How do you select your music 2.) Who are some of your favorite bands and how do you avoid copyright issues for your videos?
colinfurze23 karma
My favourite band is Muse but for copyright I can't use them. I ask viewers that are in bands to send in music as it's great for viewers to have an input and also it dodges the copyright issue
LennieB8 karma
How do you feel about doing a collaborative project with Alec Steele? Epic Britishness would ensue.
scarecr0w147 karma
You must be pretty proud of all the stuff you have made but have you ever built something and thought to yourself, "What the fuck am I doing with my life."?
colinfurze23 karma
Yes every night I sit down and edit the footage form the day, I too think wtf but hey I'm getting paid to do this so woohoo!
dandandandaaaaaan5 karma
before you gave up the day job, how did you find time to work and build the crazy projects?
As a dad of a one year old, the only spare time i seem to have is taken up by sleeping.
colinfurze3 karma
Sometimes I wish I'd just stopped indoors but the projects that worry you the most either in their danger or their scale give the most reward
zorororo163 karma
What are costs of doing projects? For example, how did you start the first one and how did that take off? Do you buy life, health, fire insurance? How much is the profit coming from TV and youtube?
colinfurze4 karma
Costs vary, some projects are built for very little. (Wall of Death was just collecting pallets and mobility scooter was a donation and I used my old motocross bike for the engine which owed me nothing) I do very little TV so YouTube pays for itself
AscendingNike3 karma
Where did you learn to weld, and what is your favorite welding process?
Betamax_Toledo2 karma
Are you already working on a plan for a 6 million subscribers project?
Gliding_high3644 karma
How is your relationship with your neighbours?
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