Watch Wes Work from patreon - YouTube is Changing

Wes you and I are alot alike. I am a mechanical engineer, own my own business, use to have trouble saying no to customers and love to tinker (as my wife calls it). I have learned that when a client comes to me with a project I do not want to get involved with I tell them the same. If they insist, then I very clearly inform them that it will not be inexpensive. With my work I can typically gauge how much time it will take up front. These projects I add an additonal 25-30% extra for unforeseen issues (or the PITA clause). If they have an issue with the price I then clearly inform them that they can get pricing from other engineers for the work. 90% of the time I get the work because they know it will be done right. However with your work being hourly and totally unpredictive I can see you informing the client of progress to date with hours. If they have hit their budget limit then they can come pick it up. Give them your notes and they can move on. Unfortunately I know nothing about youtube, algorithms or the like. I watch creators that put out stuff I can learn from, even what you call boring videos. I was taught that you can always learn something form anyone, even if you are learning what not to do. I took the plunge and became a patreon supporter because I love your content and always learn something. I look at others like Diesel Creek and South Main Auto with a lot of subscribers and notice that they all seem to have a theme to their channels where your is a little of everything. Not sure it that hurts you in regards to other viewers but I love it. I really would watch anything you put out just to hear you banter with yourself. Do I watch hour long low density videos, yes but like you I skip through most of it and watch the pertinent parts. Do not change you video style or content, keep being you because if you start doing something you do not like just to satisfy algorithms the viewers will see that your heart is not in it. As for growing the channel and thus revenue, what about a colaboration with other channels. Diesel Creek, South Main Auto, Mustie1, Pine Hallow Diagnostics, etc.? Then there are always sponsers. I have no issue with sponsers, you have to make money. What I do hate is creators that have a sponsered video and they talk about the product like they use it everyday and love it. Treat it as what it is, a commercial. If it is something you use and like, then tell us that. Honesty goes a long way. Love your contect and this is already too long of a post, I hope you keep going with this for a long time and never become one of those creators that start to make a lot of money and just throw it away on low density, stupid content.

Steve

2024-12-27 15:14:36 +0000 UTC

Can't tell you how much I despise the whole "Shorts" wave. I also watch 100% of virtually every video I watch. Yours are great and really enjoy them - even the supposedly "humdrum" ones (working through your back catalog now as I eagerly await each new one). For what little its worth, I think that perhaps you are worrying too much about Youtube. I guess that this depends on what your goal with YT actually is, of course. I see your videos these days getting hundreds-of-thousands of views, which seems quite successful. Anyway, I'd watch you doing practically anything. Automating the press brake would be a great project, ditto with finishing the logging robot (I went to UIdaho for grad school - maybe they would like it back as an exhibit or something to put in the Kibbie Dome). I think the pickup and motorcycle merges would be cool to watch, too. Like you say, though, the fact that I'm here means that I'm your low-hanging fruit. Anyway, keep on truckin and I'll keep on watchin!

GoatBreath

2024-10-07 19:48:14 +0000 UTC

Well, Wes... I'd watch you fix a toilet or design a CNC flush mechanism if you took a mind to it... So... I'm probably not the best guy for ideas on your dilemma here. I see all your videos no matter the length or content. And I don't skip through. We form a connection with certain creators. You are a favorite of mine. As is James Condon, Mustie1 and several others. I myself am a small volume creator. I have a small channel with perhaps 50 videos. I never planned to be a regular creator and my stuff is basically mechanical repair of my own pickup, cars and motorcycles. Or some such other DIY stuff. I barely broke 1000 subs recently. I am fully aware of how much work a video is, the tedium of editing and getting good camera shots. How much time it adds to doing a job. Its a pain to do plus the learning of a decent editor program. Then you get the comments from the people who have no channel content bitching about some minor detail put in or left out, or feeling the need to correct or nitpick even the slightest mistake or issue. It can suck. Mostly it's rewarding though and I have received some really nice heartfelt comments of appreciation. Its easy for me as I'm not monetized nor probably ever will be. I'm successfully retired and I only make videos I think will help out the viewing community, and to give back to the encyclopedic library of videos I have so benefited from. I never planned to make a dime off of it. I'm an almost fully self sufficient DIY'er so YouTube has helped me figure out a lot of stuff, other people less capable would pay someone to do for them. I farm a few things out but very little. Like sheet rock for example which I really hate. So if I can't find a decent video on something, I try to research the thing I'm doing and I make one. I'm sorry. I wish I had more to say to help you out. Like I say, When I'm notified you have posted, I watch. End to end and I always learn something. I dumped regular television years ago. I really don't care to be socially indoctrinated into the kind of pure garbage that television has become and the vast wasteland of social engineering the media has decided to bombard people with. Like Disney for example. They could have stayed with clean a-political family entertainment but they decided to piss off a good half of the country pushing filth and garbage like homosexuality, transgenderism and DEI racism. So, I take a schadenfreude type of shear pleasure in recent headlines of them laying off thousands of employees, suffering financial woes and nobody showing up for their useless politically correct, leftist trash at the theatre. It's all crap. Frankly, I hope they go under. I'll never set foot on a Disney property again and we quite often winter in the Orlando area for a few months. Maybe at some point Team Rodent will figure out they should keep their politics to themselves. I doubt it. If I can learn something about mechanics, design, electronics, welding, electrician work, plumbing, auto repair, why the hell would I waste 5 minutes of my time watching the fake crap and social indoctrination pushed by regular television's and Hollywood's leftist brain rot. Such is the beauty of Youtube. I can watch 15 videos if I want on techniques to bend a perfect EMT conduit offset. Or build a cabinet. You make what ever you want Wes, and I'll watch it.

Craig Miller

2024-09-27 16:13:18 +0000 UTC

I like the build videos much more than the repairs. The cnc press would be awesome.

Paul

2024-09-19 02:00:40 +0000 UTC

Me too. I also discovered Dave Brubeck. Take five! Ive been a jazz listener since.

John Lundh

2024-08-22 02:13:19 +0000 UTC

I have a question. Do customers come to you hoping you will make a utube out of their project? Would you say your work or business drives your utube creations or does your creative drive to do utube drive the existnce of your business? Or a combination of both. I watch all of your vids and immensely enjoy them all, yes because of the content but more importantly your delivery, your personality, the way you aproach problems and your toubleshooting skills based on your education and experience. There's no bs or fluff. I think you represent alot of people just like you and and are a credit to them all. Please dont ever stop.

Drew

2024-08-05 19:37:29 +0000 UTC

For some reason I love hydraulic repairs, I also like watching the super rust videos. I don't like videos where people skip all the details on a project. Like they want to build an off road rig but they just show buying it the a pile of parts then they skip the build and just show using it. I would really like to see you do the truck build you mentioned before so you can have a nicer and safer truck.

Taylor Jennette Zhu

2024-08-05 01:09:02 +0000 UTC

Ok, some more of my view of "do whatever, we watch". Do what you want to do - be real to yourself. When I think of you in my parasocial relationship, I think you are "down to earth", thats usally what matters. I think the personality of People in social media and them "keepin it real" is more relevant in the long run than the Algorithm. Since i watch another youtuber (Laura Kampf) who wants to change things up - perhaps you should give her Video a watch - I think its really spot on fort this issue ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w__R3cCZXk0 ) (only the first 11 minutes are relevant). Do something you are excited for - and people will watch it. Thanks for your content

Yolo2000

2024-08-03 16:40:22 +0000 UTC

Do whatever makes you happy :)

Yolo2000

2024-08-03 16:19:22 +0000 UTC

This, a few folks I’ve given up watching, talk and explain yes, waffle and fluff things out, not so much. YouTube encourages that, but it doesn’t make it right, then it changes again, don’t envy you that, or know what to do about it, sorry.

Richard Pruen

2024-08-02 22:22:21 +0000 UTC

I appreciate your vids, the density of content is about right, longer videos are fine if there is more content, I decided to sign up on Patreon to support more projects that aren’t customers work. You don’t need to do too much, but the odd robot type project, that’s worth it. Maybe 3 times a year. Stop working on backhoes, half (or more) dead tractors, and other stuff where you can’t make any money. You are too nice to people maybe, and farmers are terrible for wanting everything cheap. I guess thinning out projects might help. You seem to have more than one lifetime worth. If you want an absolute money pit, then build a car from plans, then spend years redesigning problem parts, build a race spec F3 ford 2.0 SOHC engine. Fun to drive and race at club races, yes. It’s like digging a hole and filling it with money, but you don’t have the hole full of money at the end. Seems you have something similar already.

Richard Pruen

2024-08-02 22:13:51 +0000 UTC

I find it interesting you didn’t get anything on the shorts. Shorts lay out significantly less, but I’m still pretty sure they normally lay out something (like you might only get $5 for a million views or something ridiculous like that)

Eric Merrill

2024-07-26 01:08:09 +0000 UTC

Basically the premium fee gets split between YouTube and the creators you watch. The creators get it based on the ratio of your watch time. My understanding is that creators make significantly more per premium view than ad views.

Eric Merrill

2024-07-26 01:06:51 +0000 UTC

The projects I’d be interested in seeing would be the line boring on the Thomas skid steer and the the merging of the two ford pickups

BirdSticks

2024-07-25 03:43:46 +0000 UTC

Wes, just upped from $5 to $10 per month keep doing what you do

J Bentley Howard

2024-07-24 21:12:46 +0000 UTC

I don't even click anymore. I like the guy, but I don't need 45 minutes of opening the glove box and looking in the truck followed by 10 minutes of actual work punctuated by 45 minutes of driving around.

Watch Wes Work

2024-07-24 17:04:01 +0000 UTC

I've seen every episode!

Watch Wes Work

2024-07-24 17:00:54 +0000 UTC

Wes, I love your content for most of the reasons already expressed and because there is a wide mix that never bores. Longer is NOT better and I think your analysis is spot-on. Will enjoy the CNC conversion if you decide to do it.

CAT Jackson

2024-07-24 15:17:39 +0000 UTC

Wes, you make me laugh! I love your humor and your disgust at "snack stealing friends". I really like your diagrams and the way you explain things. You go out of your way to help others understand what is going wrong with a project. Also, I can feel your pain and honesty in what you are working on. Keep up the good work. I enjoy anything you tackle.

David Fryman

2024-07-23 15:43:10 +0000 UTC

I just skipped through Mortskis Monday video. I'm getting the sense he was a bit miffed. another fluffy one, 2-1/2 hours.

John Lundh

2024-07-23 02:24:21 +0000 UTC

Do what makes you happy. I'm all for the making and the repairing videos. I hate shorts and depending on my mood I like 30-60 minute videos myself and I'll probably watch all but the last five or so minutes of most videos especially when it's the usual like and subscribe dialog, i like at the beginning of the video otherwise I'd forget and if I'm watching a YouTuber I'm subscribed already.

Lou Mozz

2024-07-23 02:02:35 +0000 UTC

I'm YouTube premium user and don't get ads so how do they monetize that for you?

Lou Mozz

2024-07-23 01:33:07 +0000 UTC

Please just keep on keeping on. I do enjoy the car troubleshooting videos.

Jay

2024-07-22 23:22:41 +0000 UTC

You have gotten this far with your instincts, no one likes changes, so figure out ya meat and potatoes flicks and gradually bring in changes. Some may work some maybe not. Just trust yourself. Also glad to hear ya put some lag bolts on second level landing.

Bumps

2024-07-22 17:40:36 +0000 UTC

The combination of RC Roomba with tank tracks made me think of Wall-E

BitterCynic

2024-07-22 15:59:12 +0000 UTC

Like a car mechanic and ASMR crossover, funny. Maybe this could be done as a live stream as well, it naturally results in a lot more low density content and "dead air". And lots of people make paid comments on live streams. Just set up the camera like it's for a time-lapse and meanwhile get all the boring work done.

BitterCynic

2024-07-22 15:22:55 +0000 UTC

Discord was and probably still is mostly a video gamer app for text and voice chat. Moderation of a Discord channel is yet more work that can usually be passed onto weirdos that don't need to be paid since they enjoy the power trip of banning people... It's basically an online drama generator.

BitterCynic

2024-07-22 15:05:41 +0000 UTC

Another unfortunate reality of entertainment/infotainment is that getting everyone to pay even a small fee is very difficult, I guess that's why governments have armed tax collectors. So instead we get content creators that rely on sponsors for income or in a few cases on very wealthy fans making generous donations. Paywalls also exist but the creator is then stuck making decisions on what to make public and free to attract more potential paying viewers.

BitterCynic

2024-07-22 14:29:36 +0000 UTC

I'm of the opinion that you should do the things you like to do. I know the viewers like to see the repair videos, and I like them as well but at the same time, I like your ability to imagine and build things you need for your work. And like with the robot log skidder, I enjoy your ability to completely replace a control system. I'd be interested in seeing any or all of the projects you talked about. The one for the VW sounds like it would be a real scream. :o) I'm sure that many would simply suggest replacing the trans with an automatic, but where's the fun in that? In any case, my wife and I will watch whatever you do as we have for many years.

Merritt Derr

2024-07-22 14:17:13 +0000 UTC

I go to extremes to avoid watching ads, I will sooner give up all graphical user interface computing instead of willingly watching advertisements. Sadly 99% of the population is totally fine with having ads. In my biased opinion that part of the population is rather dumb and will make the world crash and burn.

BitterCynic

2024-07-22 14:13:02 +0000 UTC

Hi Wes. I have no YouTube expertise to offer, but I can tell you what draws me to your content. First, I'll admit that I became a Patreon member after watching the 3rd installment of the Skidder Robot series. That said, what made those videos sing (for me) were the detailed breakdowns of how it works (or why it doesn't), and I think your 'diagnostics' videos of your job cars are often just as interesting as the big projects. If there's a hand-drawn diagram somewhere in the video, I'm in. I have to imagine those 'scenes' are the easiest to produce/edit. Could you 'fluff up' some of the more routine jobs with more content like that? For example, after the 'fix', providing the details around WHY it failed, the stats on how often they failed, who made the parts that failed, etc. etc... Bottom line: If I'm learning something, I'll watch for hours.

Jon Schroeder

2024-07-22 14:10:20 +0000 UTC

whatever you do i will watch . love your sarcastic attitude , reminds me of the guys i used to work with

gregory mais

2024-07-22 12:26:01 +0000 UTC

Rarely do I find the subject/victim of your videos uninteresting, but even if I do, there is always a gem of knowledge that transfers to other applications. Also you have a presenting style that I never tire of. In the late 80s/early 90s, Channel 4 in the UK broadcast Tim Hunkin's "The Secret Life Of Machines". He presented information with a similar serious, but humourous, style to you. Hand drawn explanations, backed by a "let's give it a go" attitude were it's strengths as a programme, just like your videos. Trying to adjust to the Youtube algorithm is like Don Quixote tilting at windmills - its there, but you'll never be able to work out what it truly is. Continue making varied content, long, short or somewhere in between. The appeal of your channel is your approach to a wide range of things, your honesty and lack of hyperbole just to chase ratings/views. The power and influence of YouTube may wane, but a roof over your head, food on the plate and a happy family remain the reality of a successful life. Ponder the imponderable less, and get on with projects, especially the cnc press brake. At least you'll get some use out of it, unlike the robot skidder which you could of course convert into a remote controlled crashed vehicle recovery machine......

Andrew Burton

2024-07-22 06:49:54 +0000 UTC

Do what works for you. Ill still be here which ever way you decide.

Randall Crook

2024-07-22 01:48:18 +0000 UTC

Fly laser killer you say??? Oh ya!!!

Rick

2024-07-21 20:40:53 +0000 UTC

I am sure you’ve come to the realization you cannot please everybody. So the next question is who is the most important to please?

Ron Stevens

2024-07-21 20:38:35 +0000 UTC

Watch Wes Make, maybe. YouTube rules are not fair.

Stephen Meeks

2024-07-21 16:47:25 +0000 UTC

Even Snowball Engineering in the UK farm shop has one like that. Press brake.

Stephen Meeks

2024-07-21 16:44:41 +0000 UTC

Press brake mod yes.

Stephen Meeks

2024-07-21 16:42:56 +0000 UTC

VW auto trans, no.

Stephen Meeks

2024-07-21 16:41:25 +0000 UTC

FarmCraft101 might buy the bot.

Stephen Meeks

2024-07-21 16:37:42 +0000 UTC

Psychologically, you YouTube makers become personal friends who feel more like friends than many of my human local friends. I do not know if this is more universal than just me. I support missionaries overseas that I have met personally, and they do not feel as close as you feel to me. Maybe it’s just me. Maybe it’s YouTube.

Stephen Meeks

2024-07-21 16:33:40 +0000 UTC

Is there another outlet other than YouTube you guys can put videos on. I would switch. Do whatever will make wealth for the future. God bless you and your family.

Stephen Meeks

2024-07-21 16:25:43 +0000 UTC

I, like most of your viewers like everything you put out. I have a little different take on where I think you should go with all of this. I think that you should make a plan and concentrate on making money. At your age you need to maximize securing retirement funds and college funds to protect your families future. Retirement seems to creep up on people and they always wish they would have done things a little different right at the time its almost too late. Make a plan that will do that. Maybe that would involve doing less with videos and you might not enjoy it as much, but at the end of the day you and yours will be secure.

Kevin

2024-07-21 12:49:27 +0000 UTC

Just using the Office demolition and construction as an example, you had 4 or 5 of those videos in 30 minute parts, you could keep those as they are released every week but at the end release a single compilation video. You could do the same thing with your other multipart videos. See how it goes, in the meantime keep up the great work and the humor love your videos.

David Bird

2024-07-21 06:58:48 +0000 UTC

The video length isn’t something I worry about, I’m a creator follower. I watch your videos due to you and your personality and the attention you put towards the content you release. I’ve had a few long format videos I’ve avoided, but I work remotely so even the long format videos from my favorite creators I will watch and let run in the background while I work. That doesn’t mean you should make them super long, but I’m just relaying my experience. I think you could come close to the hour by adding in some time lapse of things you do with music over them, but again that’s lowering the quality of the content so probably not up your alley. I enjoy your content and will watch either way. As far as the logging robot it may be worth collaborating with another channel that may find use in it? Potentially useful for one of the recovery channels like Matt’s off road or such? Could be beneficial in that respect

Stephen mowrey

2024-07-21 05:49:48 +0000 UTC

id love to see the auto shift or what ever you think is a worthy project.

John Lundh

2024-07-21 04:22:34 +0000 UTC

I love your stuff. living in Iowa city now and growing up in Dubuque Iowa not far from you I get your vibe. I went to school at Iowa State for engineering then transferring to Iowa. My second vehicle I bought in high school was a silver diesel Volkswagen rabbit. My first was a 1950 3/4 ton Chevy pickup. I just posted a few shorts on YouTube this week for fun. Its interesting to see the algorithm in action.

John Lundh

2024-07-21 04:19:31 +0000 UTC

Wes, me again. I watch repair, construction, and fabrication videos. I would watch the backhoe, press brake, and the pickup melding in a heartbeat (probably multiple times too.) The logging machine is really cool, but what will you do with it once you're done. I haven't seen anything on the Malibu. I'll watch it when it comes out. Preferably in 30-60 bites. Can you set one bay in your shop aside for YT projects and the other for work? I'm fairly certain you support your family with the mechanics rather than YT. I followed a different TYer until they went full time. Then their content became all about their YT store instead of their YT content, and it because boring.

John Lottes

2024-07-21 03:44:07 +0000 UTC

Wes, I understand what you're saying. I cannot dedicate much more than 60 minutes to any video. I also work for a living. I'm fortunate in being able to be able watch YT and still do my job. I just set up my Patreon involving several YTers (including you), but even so, videos longer than 60 minutes I can't watch. Maybe your viewers need to send YT messages complaining about the algorithms bias towards the longer videos. I can (& will) do.

John Lottes

2024-07-21 03:18:45 +0000 UTC

I don't know if it's going to work. In my poll on the subject the majority of people said they want longer videos.

Watch Wes Work

2024-07-21 02:52:52 +0000 UTC

I'm kind of at a loss of how to handle the 1 hr long videos unless you could somehow migrate one project into another to get to one hour? If the projects were related to each other maybe that would occasionally work, but for the long term probably not. But as far as content I would watch anything you put out there. I personally would like to see the backhoe finished up. To me that kind of stuff that isn't the run of the mill everyday repair is interesting. I've never been disappointed with one of your videos yet! Definitely show the Malibu during its initial start along with maybe a quick recap, and the challenges along the way to get there. I love troubleshooting so to me struggling a bit makes good content too. The motorcycle, press brake conversion, VW, skid steer, remote control design/build etc is all worthy content in my book. I would look forward to watching all of them. I wish I had a better idea of how to satisfy the algorithm. I'm sure someone else here can help though. I'm happy if you keep doing what you're doing.

Greg G.

2024-07-21 02:16:37 +0000 UTC

I wonder if there isn't some way to "trick" the algorithm. Maybe just copy the half-hour content, perhaps in mirror format or with a frame around it. Or copy in some public domain librivox video. Sure the viewers probably wouldn't watch, but would the algorithm notice, or does it care mostly about visits? What a shame that Youtube doesn't notice what a quality provider they have in WWW. Maybe, one day AI will catch on. We can only hope! BTW I would love to see the one-of-a-kind VW Rabbit automatic manual transmission. And that would provide pIenty of interesting challenges, I recon.

Michael S Wilhelm

2024-07-21 02:15:37 +0000 UTC

The viewers could "correct" the algorithm by just refusing to watch the long videos. I no longer watch videos over an hour long. If enough people boycott the long videos, then we can impact YouTubes bottom line.

Blane Gardner

2024-07-21 01:54:09 +0000 UTC

I watch your videos because I like the stuff you do. It doesn't matter what it is. I think you're a good source for quality information which is what the Internet used to be. I could care less about algorithms because I'm already subscribed. I do pass your channel by word of mouth whenever I get the chance though.

Steve Reese

2024-07-21 01:04:25 +0000 UTC

Would love to see something like South Main Auto's "Whats up Wednesday" where you stream an hour live some evening once the kids are in bed. Gives us a chance to put in some superchats with donations and look around the shop at projects?

steve norton

2024-07-20 23:28:08 +0000 UTC

I like the videos with your Dad and his projects. Your voice gets higher when working with him.

John R Hermes

2024-07-20 23:10:51 +0000 UTC

Have you considered taking on an employee who can do the "boring" parts of jobs that come into the shop so you can both service your customers and cherry-pick the interesting parts of the job? I suspect this is tough because you can't control what rolls in the door. Honestly, I grew up in a family business working on cars and totally understand the dilemma. As your son gets older, having him in the shop will be a joy and we are looking forward to seeing him learn the trade. Maybe for now you can take on an apprentice to help out. You do such a great job teaching us as you problem solve which is really enjoyable no matter what you are working on.

Dennis Suppe

2024-07-20 22:20:16 +0000 UTC

CnC press brake, and the fuel injected 650 Yamaha! I also love the customer car repair videos - I’m in awe that you manage to fix some of them and enjoy watching your thought processes.

Tom Rolfe

2024-07-20 22:11:36 +0000 UTC

I can't believe it already been 7 years Wes. Time has really flown by. I will say, despite how long it takes to create the drawn or animated breakdowns of components they are truly remarkable. It's better than the college education I received. Besides this, I would say the audience base loves the lack of "fluff" in videos. Keep up the amazing work!

Noah

2024-07-20 22:00:08 +0000 UTC

Same as y'all in Mechanic/Shop videos--they want longer stuff (or Shorts) and they are hyper-sensitive about topics and subject matter. Subscription deletion, and comment deletion are rampant. The bots only really answer to other bots anymore, so, any notion of human control is appearing largely illusory.

CapnMac82

2024-07-20 21:27:33 +0000 UTC

Patreon has a "chats" feature that supposedly works like Discord. I haven't tried it either.

Watch Wes Work

2024-07-20 21:24:01 +0000 UTC

I could. I have never used Discord, but it might really help me as long as it doesn't suck too much time.

Watch Wes Work

2024-07-20 21:17:45 +0000 UTC

In addition to my previous comment, have you thought about making a WWW discord for patreon members? I think it could be another benefit of patreon that could bring in more people. I used to be a lot more active on PM back when you were and most of my time for machining discussion is now in a discord of like minded younger folks. I could see something like that for WWW viewers where they could discuss projects, videos, etc.

Jake Gilles

2024-07-20 21:08:53 +0000 UTC

More thinking about: I’d watch the conversation to automate bending—I think lots of folks would agree. The car—probably more interesting to convert it into a dune buggy or something unique that everyday folks could do if they wanted.

Virtue Streams

2024-07-20 20:29:24 +0000 UTC

Thinking aloud: Is it possible to take a normal video that’s been edited for publication and simply copy the finished version and add it to the video thereby doubling the length? Viewers get the same quality content, can skip the repetitive content, and your channel gets the algorithm. The short seems like it should be promoting a future video or past video and not be edited—literally produced it minutes—use your natural humor and have fun cuz who cares about the quality of shorts? I don’t feel helpful, but I’m hopeful—so there’s that😀! Keep having fun✌🏻

Virtue Streams

2024-07-20 20:18:27 +0000 UTC

I would love to see alot more of the crazy stuff with Cnc and press brake to the win 💪🏻 don't see that often on other channels 😎

Martin Pedersen

2024-07-20 19:45:07 +0000 UTC

Hey Wes, I agree with what you've said about the length of videos that are an hour plus long. They tend to add more filler and fluff than is necessary. I personally enjoy the videos where you describe how you troubleshoot a problem or make an explanation of how the system should work using your excellent art skills. Be it, hydraulics, electronics, or working on cars/tractors I'm fine with whatever you decide on doing. If that Case tractor is heavy on your mind as far as getting it out of the shop then I'd say work on that first and get it gone. If not work on something else that interests you, if youtube is becoming more of a job than fun for you, I'd suggest looking at other streaming platforms. I'm not sure how they pay, or if they do at all but Rumble seems to be up and coming. Just some thoughts, hope this helps and keep up the great work.

Mike

2024-07-20 19:37:14 +0000 UTC

Based on the data you presented, the long videos will not survive. If the ads are only seen for the first 30-60 minutes and the videos that are longer have less persistent viewing, YouTube will adjust again. Your content is great. No fluff or deadly filler. I don’t know if YouTube gives you a breakdown of your viewers (age, location, etc) but that can help in tailoring content. Based on what you’re describing about projects, it seems that it’s more applied machinist and hands on Cnc activity. I find that really interesting but it does seem more of a niche activity. If you take the same approach with this as you do for diagnostics, it may fill a unique space. For example explaining step motors, g code, sensors applied to the aspects of machining replacement parts for things like old tractors.

Michael Kowolenko

2024-07-20 19:24:50 +0000 UTC

The only creator whose 60+ minute videos I watch at this point is Mustie1. Past that, I can't sit through movie length videos. What about combining two ~30 minute videos? Or multiple videos to get around the hour length? As far as full-time Youtube, I'm happy to support on Patreon if it helps support that.

James Latimer

2024-07-20 19:21:14 +0000 UTC

It's your skills and intelligence, no matter the flavor of the day, that I enjoy!

Grudd61

2024-07-20 19:09:52 +0000 UTC

I’d watch you sew a button on a shirt but maybe crush the VW and sell the fords. Drag that tractor to your neighbor today. Just cleaning out the yard will motivate you to do the stuff you really want to do. Thanks Wes.

Dan King

2024-07-20 19:09:14 +0000 UTC

Wes, the Rabbit project would be awesome. That kind of stuff is interesting to me at least 😆

Justin Barber

2024-07-20 19:07:37 +0000 UTC

Ok, so i joined Patreon. I've been watching you as long as i can remember I've stated hundreds of time that I'll watch whatever you put out. It's the personality and especially the laugh that keeps me hangin round. That being said, You overthink things WAAAYYY too much! I've always loved the diagnosing, finding the problem, or will it run videos. But even the schematic ancient greek language videos are enjoyable. My best advice is this: Do what comes to you more often than trying to make something 'just for content'. Forget about the algorithm long length videos. You've got close to 300,000 subs. Most of whom are loyal and don't need to be directed to the channel. I watch your videos start to finish, which is more than I can say for creators I used to watch completely. Now, I spend more time fast forwarding than actually watching. One of Mortske's edit ins is a woman saying:"Ain't nobody got time for that" Well, I ain't got time to watch a 2 1/2 - 3 hour video. As far as time to create? A camera person would help immeasurably!

Sammy Fender

2024-07-20 18:47:04 +0000 UTC

Hi Wes. I love your videos. And I enjoy your content. Continue doing videos like you do. If it works for you don’t change it. I know your video lengths are good for me. I feel people that make long videos won’t be able to keep subscribers and views. People won’t want to watch “watered down” videos long term. As far as your projects from others. My opinion is this. SAY NO to projects that you won’t make money on and don’t want to do. There is no point. Backhoe and Malibu. Projects not worth doing are combining the two fords, anything with the Olivers, and the two Kawasakis. Then anything else that someone else has done or there is no return on investment. Projects that interest me would be the injected bike, the skidder, and I love all your “diagnosing” videos. Projects that im on the fence about are the press brake because it just doesn’t interest me that much and I feel it wouldn’t be easy to execute. And the Volkswagen for the same reason. Ps. I worked at a company that had Mack’s that were set up like that. They had a torque converters. Hope this wasn’t to lengthy. You asked for opinions. I believe I delivered.

Jared Bacon

2024-07-20 18:31:03 +0000 UTC

What's the rub against 3D printing? Seems pretty harmless.

Watch Wes Work

2024-07-20 18:00:18 +0000 UTC

Keep doing what your doing, your produce some of the best content on YouTube! You listed some great ideas. I think a mix of repairs, new product builds, wild ideas would be great. I’m with you it has to be great content for me to watch an hour or longer video. Fast forward button gets used on longer videos. Enjoy the rest of your summer. Any vacation videos on the horizon?

Rich Wielechowski

2024-07-20 17:53:07 +0000 UTC

Wes, I really enjoy whenever you have to solve a problem by “thinking outside the box”. For that reason, I think the retrofitting of the Thomas skid steer with a new attachment mechanism, the auto shifter on the VW Rabbit and the conversion of the brake to hydraulics would be very interesting. But honestly, I’ve enjoyed all of your content.

Jack Nevitt

2024-07-20 17:52:12 +0000 UTC

PS I don't like Shorts either, you just get interested and bang it's gone.

Ian McKay

2024-07-20 17:48:02 +0000 UTC

As Trent Tadsen talks about CNC m/c's That pokes be saying : So what's involved, show me more! There are somethings that honestly don't interest me like, the Wabbit! Sorry, can't get used to this hitting return and being dumped to the next comment. As for the 2nd channel, if you haven't used it for this long, either ditch it or reposition it to: WWW on repairing auto's? etc. If we want to watch something of interest. we can go there. Said enough!

Ian McKay

2024-07-20 17:38:11 +0000 UTC

As Terry Lawrence said "In the end, I would watch anything you put up". I think that goes for almost all of your patreons, we are here because it's you they want to watch. You have some way off mark ideas for "commercial" channels, but that is why we're here. You do what you want and we'll watch.

Ian McKay

2024-07-20 17:35:02 +0000 UTC

I think the CNC press brake would be very interesting as would the "auto" shifting car. In terms of the time spent editing your videos are very polished. Maybe you can relax on that and now worry so much about making the editing perfect. There are a lot of things I watch that are not shot well, not edited well, but I still watch.

Trent Tadsen

2024-07-20 17:09:57 +0000 UTC

Do you see a % of what your viewers are in terms or premium/not premium?

Gabrael Burke

2024-07-20 17:06:54 +0000 UTC

Wes you are best thing on YouTube.hope you get better soon mate all the best to you and your family

craig orford

2024-07-20 17:04:44 +0000 UTC

I think a good video would be getting the shop how you want it finally and getting the other lifts up. It doesn't have to be an exciting project people come to watch because of you and the way you present things without bullshit. Its clear concise and straight to the point. Thats why i like you, Matt at Diesel Creek and Kurtis at cutting edge engineering. If you like tanks Mr. Hewes is also very good. I stopped watching Abom79 because he chased the algorithm and started putting videos out with not much content like making a 2 part video of tapping a hole lol.

Darran

2024-07-20 17:02:52 +0000 UTC

the CNC press brake would be more interesting than the auto shifting, but the rest of the projects are diverse enough that I would watch any of them. I don't mind longer videos (i watch all at 2x, so I feel better about the consumption :) ). Those I have seen do great long form videos are: 1. James Condon--hour long weekly videos, small engine. Love his attention to detail and working till it's done done. 2. Mustie1: similar to James, but much more exploratory & hacky (in a good way) 3. Pine Auto--Ivan is really really smart, reminds me of you in a lot of ways. I enjoy his multi-part series and in depth explanations especially around electronics diagnosis (powers & grounds). You have a better sense of humor and more manufacturing background though. 4. Andrew Camrata -- lots of timelapse, and sometimes months or years in the making.

Michael Stern

2024-07-20 17:00:17 +0000 UTC

Video production is no where as easy as it /can/ appear. Everything done well requires work to make it "good." And WWW keeps being Good in my book. I feel like my best suggestion is that you keep doing what motivates you. You are the person with the experience here. Which is, of course, not as helpful as you are asking for.

CapnMac82

2024-07-20 16:59:16 +0000 UTC

YT is being self-destructive. They are really crushing the "gun tuber" side of things, what with blanket Age Restriction, so only the 8-10% of "logged in" viewers can even see the content. Many of the 3d printer channels are getting clobbered for no obvious reason, too. There's no real rhyme nor reason I can see.

CapnMac82

2024-07-20 16:57:32 +0000 UTC

Oh, And please don’t start making extra long videos. Blah.

Sam Ellison

2024-07-20 16:51:22 +0000 UTC

Hi, Can you attach one of your older videos onto the end of a new one. It will be longer and no one needs to watch the second one if they have seen it before. Just edit it on to the first one.

Sam Ellison

2024-07-20 16:50:41 +0000 UTC

This. Shorts aren't content. They are commercials. Used properly they can drive users to other content. Agree that this nees to be populate with low hanging fruit of B roll and not a main mission.

Adam Salerno

2024-07-20 16:43:50 +0000 UTC

First of all, love the "insane" ideas. I don't watch any other channel that does anything with computers or automation at all but you make it interesting and are very good at actually explaining and showing with diagrams. Easy to digest and informative. I don't watch shorter videos like yours unless I'm giving it my full attention like sitting at my actual computer. The longer videos like Mortske and Farmcraft101 I watch while I'm exercising on a stationary bike so it makes the time fly but I'm not 100% focused on them. Both formats have their place for me. Shorts are terrible lol. It seems like anything involving heavy equipment or diesels getting very high views. Just my 2 cents, keep up the great work, really appreciate your channel.

John Hall

2024-07-20 16:30:38 +0000 UTC

In the end, I would watch anything you put up

Terry Lawrence

2024-07-20 16:28:47 +0000 UTC

I personally don't watch shorts/TikTok, but I do see how they would help with exposure. Maybe do a few clips from long form videos and use them as "Preview/Trailers" that link to the full videos. (Creative framing will be needed to get both portrait and landscape shots)

Terry Lawrence

2024-07-20 16:27:55 +0000 UTC

Give it a try, you'll see some incredible stuff.

David G King

2024-07-20 16:26:06 +0000 UTC

1. You are the creator. You are the art. Jeff Porcaro once said, "I only play one way. If you came to me to record a drum track, you did so because you liked my sound. If you want a different sound, hire a different drummer." If people don't like the content, they can move along. But they really don't want to do that because... 2. Anyone who tries to shame you into doing both is hiding their real motivation. They don't think you are lazy, they are scared shitless that if you stop taking repair work, the content they like will disappear. And while they are free to vote with their feet, making you responsible for pleasing them specifically is BS. They are the lazy ones. They don't want to have to trawl YT for the content they want, they want you to give it to them. These are the same people that go to a restaurant, have 101 special requests, and get pissy when they are told they can't have all of them. If you don't like the food, don't go back. 3. There is a balance between producing content density and producing marketable material. It has always existed in media. There are competing forces. For the creator it often comes down to: How much marketing content are you willing to make to subsidize the content you really want to make? And what is the ratio? 2-1. 4-1. 10-1. At what point does the ratio cancel out the benefit to you and your long suffering wife? 5. It's not just you. Almost all of the channels I watch have been sliding in this direction. AC, Mustie, Jesse Mueller, VGG went there years ago. If you truly want to try going YT-only, you will have to surf these trend waves as they happen. 6. If you are asking for my personal input, I like longer form videos even if they are...let's say...medium density. If medium density is the compromise to get you over an hour, I'm there for it. But are you?

Adam Salerno

2024-07-20 16:25:48 +0000 UTC

Lol, do your standard videos and then turn the camera over to Mrs Wes, Mini Wes and Max for 30 minutes of bonus content. I still get a chuckle out of Mrs. Wes trimming the shrub with a sawzall and you ranting about the impending comments for the shrub not being locked-out/tag-out. Send the finished skidded to Matt at Diesel Creek.

Jon Nierenburg

2024-07-20 16:13:28 +0000 UTC

I use YouTube Premium as well. I don't have patience for ads.

Watch Wes Work

2024-07-20 15:59:41 +0000 UTC

You're exactly right. I'm terrible at selling things, especially myself. I need to get the wife onto the other social media outlets.

Watch Wes Work

2024-07-20 15:58:18 +0000 UTC

I could. I've never watched Tiktok but I know Edison Motors posts there a lot.

Watch Wes Work

2024-07-20 15:56:34 +0000 UTC

It's bad enough that youtube have forced everyone to hold their phones 90 degrees wrong, thus giving a really bad view of almost everything. Now we have these really long videos which I don't watch. Hopefully this will be self-limiting: youtube will end up with an audience of couch potatoes who spend so much time watching videos they don't have time to do any work or buy anything. I think if you have stuff cluttering up your workshop and it's bugging you, then just finish them off and clear them out without bothering to video. Anything diagnostic is good for me. I don't know how to solve your problems with youtube.

Peter Facey

2024-07-20 15:53:59 +0000 UTC

All good points. Thanks!

Watch Wes Work

2024-07-20 15:53:41 +0000 UTC

Thank you for the insight and openness. There are channels like Mortske that I really like, but I absolutely will not watch a video that is over 1.5 hours ( even that is pushing it ). It's a real shame that Youtube... the management there are morons. I like YOUR content, do whatever content you want or feel you need to do. I'll watch it.

montgomery f tidwell

2024-07-20 15:53:25 +0000 UTC

I agree with the others. Following the algorithm is a fools errand. You are not that kind of channel. If you do what you are best at, the viewers will come. Making videos that aren't what you like or excel at will just waste your time. What would it take from patreon to support you and your family? I think it is a lot easier to focus more on quality videos of your type and double your patreon revenue. Do the log skidder projects, complex automotive work, cnc side hobby stuff, etc. As for the mechanic side of the show, I think getting better at saying no will be critical. You can absolutely be a specialty shop that only takes on the hard jobs that make good videos. Trying to be a full time quality youtuber and local mechanic is possible, but that will be all you do. You just need time for the locals to adjust and learn that Wes is where you take the complex stuff that other people can't fix or don't understand. The videos where you break out your electrical engineering level skills with PCMs and the like are where you really shine. There are 100 different videos of people replacing brake lines and rusty midwest car frames. Stuff like that backhoe will destroy you if you let them. Total waste of time in my opinion, but I know how hard it can be to tell your neighbor no. These are just my thought, but overall I think the most important things is picking a direction/focus and going all in on it. Don't get spread too thin trying to do a great job at 10 different things. Ramble over.

Jake Gilles

2024-07-20 15:42:33 +0000 UTC

Being a slave to the Algo is not good. But here is my two cents: I love the content and the length, I just do not have time to spend 2 hours on a video, I have noticed that a lot of the creators I follow have moved to longer format but I feel I miss out since I normally need to shut I down before the video is halfway through... I like the ideas aired here about making your normal excellent videos and the padding it, but instead of padding it with random stuff artificially, why don you hire in the mistress and add some of your bantering uncut at the end? That would add value to the video as well as (hopefully) be lowish effort on your side.

Trond Jarle Pedersen

2024-07-20 15:24:45 +0000 UTC

Maybe because it was only put on smaller cars that you don't tend to have in the US? also maybe cheaper to do it that way in Europe as a higher percentage of cars are manual, easier to do that than develop an auto box possibly?

Darran

2024-07-20 15:22:20 +0000 UTC

I started watching during the Big Ugly Forklift series, and I really enjoyed the heavy equipment and snowplow videos. The more engineering videos you’re doing have kept me interested as I went from being an industrial repair machinist to a forklift mechanic. All the build videos I really geek out on. Keep doing what interests you Wes, and we will be here. 45 min is probably the max length I’d watch, multi part series is good. Show us more of the new shop truck too!

Caleb Collins

2024-07-20 15:20:26 +0000 UTC

Once YT started with the political ads, I purchased a membership to avoid them. No idea if any of that revenue gets to creators. Based upon what you say about the algorithm, I bet none. I do not watch shorts, ever. My limit on length is about an hour. I watch a YouTube video for two reasons: to learn something and to be entertained. I enjoy your content because you do a good job of both. I also realize from trying to watch others YouTubers that this is not something every one can do. Continue making the content you want to make. Hopefully YT will see that they have made an error, as I cannot fathom that longer videos will result in more ad revenue. Most people won't watch. Concerning projects: I would watch them all but the truck body swap would be my least favorite (admittedly uninformed bias.) Thanks for all you do.

John Read

2024-07-20 15:06:48 +0000 UTC

Monetarization commentary - can you drive more revenue from the same content? You appear to be the ultimate non-salesman which I think leads to your appeal. Merchandise - I think having stuff to sell is good as long as the selling is subtle. Mortske is too much but you probably do to little. I like that you do not so sponsored stuff, but do not mind it if it is directly related to the job being done. Pitch Patreon more - I prefer Patreon to buying stuff to support you and maybe a mention of it on occasion would be good. Only Fans - Maybe you can put your content on Only Fans? Kidding and don't ask me why I know what Only Fans is. Social Channels - What money, if any, can be made in Instagram? Can you easily repurpose content for that? Is using other social media to drive traffic to YouTube worth it. I am just a rando old marketing guy on the internet but if you every want to talk through any of this let me know.

Tom Hollowell

2024-07-20 15:03:45 +0000 UTC

Hi Wes, I know nothing about nothing but can you adapt that remote crawler into a mobile home mover? If so I'm sure someone would like to buy it. I also wish there were a company out there who could commission you to build prototypes for new inventions. This would be a breath of fresh air for you and your creative mind and manufacturing capabilities. It looks to me like working on these corroded out rust buckets has burned you out and who would blame you for moving on. It's a bummer when you go to all this work showing how to fix stuff and then have to put up with negative comments. But that's social media for ya. I want you to know I have appreciated your videos for years and hope you can work through these kinks with YouTube. I'm a big fan of TicTok also. Can you try sharing there maybe?

David G King

2024-07-20 15:02:41 +0000 UTC

Yeah, I hear what you are saying.

Watch Wes Work

2024-07-20 15:01:45 +0000 UTC

Interesting. I wonder why they were not sold in the US.

Watch Wes Work

2024-07-20 14:55:54 +0000 UTC

Hmm. I guess I never really thought about it. I just want to make the kind of videos I want to watch.

Watch Wes Work

2024-07-20 14:53:11 +0000 UTC

As many others have said, shorts are nearly worthless. The only time I even watch them is when I'm stuck somewhere with absolutely nothing else to do/watch, which is rare. Please don't make content you don't want to make, it goes against what makes your content awesome. As for project ideas: upgrading the skid steer, more shop upgrades(installing the new lifts) , and converting the press brake; all peek my interest. However, I'm not sure there is anything you've made that I didn't enjoy watching.

Bradlee

2024-07-20 14:50:32 +0000 UTC

I actually asked a tree trimmer I know. He just kind of laughed. They have a nice skid steer that will run circles around the skidder. I think it's more of a toy.

Watch Wes Work

2024-07-20 14:48:00 +0000 UTC

Like you, I have no use for the shorts and anything over an hour is unlikely for me to watch. I think the 25-35 minute video is perfect for my limited attention span. I made four videos for the truck driving school I run. At one point in time I wanted to start a YouTube channel for cooking. Just shooting, editing and uploading those four terrible unlisted videos was enough to end my idea of starting a real channel. I can't fathom the time, effort, money, and equipment you have to use to churn out a quality video every week. I struggle to watch the videos where you go in-depth into wiring diagrams and things like that just because they're so far over my head, but I watch them anyway because I don't think I've ever come away from one of your videos without learning something. I don't want to miss a learning opportunity so I'm going to watch. So that's my opinion, where I used four paragraphs to say basically nothing. I like your videos.

South Street Barbecue

2024-07-20 14:38:31 +0000 UTC

Scott at Vehcor is looking for stuff to do, doing a body swap with him could be interesting

Tom Hollowell

2024-07-20 14:36:18 +0000 UTC

I'll do the thumbnail, just set me loose....

Tom Hollowell

2024-07-20 14:33:50 +0000 UTC

I have it! A Watch Wes Work Rifftrax for bad mechanical how to videos! Especially open source videos from the 30's, 40's and 50's

Tom Hollowell

2024-07-20 14:28:49 +0000 UTC

I still get the odd comment 6 years later that people miss the machining content.

Watch Wes Work

2024-07-20 14:28:23 +0000 UTC

A laser to kill flies LOL i love that. I don't have any advice as to projects I would watch other than if you publish it I'll watch it.

Eric Corse

2024-07-20 14:23:28 +0000 UTC

That's great feeback, thank you!

Watch Wes Work

2024-07-20 14:21:00 +0000 UTC

My brother was a landscape contractor and got into apartments early in his career and was able to get out of contacting after several years. Dealing with what he called the "general public" takes years off your life.

Tom Hollowell

2024-07-20 14:20:58 +0000 UTC

We wouldn't want you to either. 😁

K H

2024-07-20 14:19:33 +0000 UTC

I could probably do that. I don't think I'll ever be a "car guy" though.

Watch Wes Work

2024-07-20 14:13:24 +0000 UTC

Sometimes I think I'm the only one still doing customer work. Mortske, Puddin, Diesel Creek, Hank Hamilton, Abom79, Andrew Camarata, etc are all full time YouTubers.

Watch Wes Work

2024-07-20 14:12:05 +0000 UTC

I have. I did the math and I would need some serious screws and motors. It would make it a lot easier though.

Watch Wes Work

2024-07-20 14:10:02 +0000 UTC

That's how I feel too.

Watch Wes Work

2024-07-20 14:09:22 +0000 UTC

Yeah I saw that. I think the whole hunting and gun related genre is a dead end on YouTube and it's really a shame.

Watch Wes Work

2024-07-20 14:08:32 +0000 UTC

I'll try.

Watch Wes Work

2024-07-20 14:05:49 +0000 UTC

They are probably smart enough to figure that out, but it might be worth trying!

Watch Wes Work

2024-07-20 14:04:36 +0000 UTC

I don't think any other platform can compete with YouTube, so I have to play their games. Thanks for the feedback!

Watch Wes Work

2024-07-20 14:03:30 +0000 UTC

I actually took notes while watching this. So here are a bunch of random thoughts. 1. Do what you enjoy as long as it provides you with enough money. If clearing the hurdle the hurdle of the algorithm is painful I would not do it unless it impacts your living. I like Morske as a person but I skip large chunks of his videos now and skip some altogether. I love your format. Generally you are able to solve a problem is a single video or two. I see you as "This Old House" Norm or Tommy vs Flip of Flop. I feel like Morske and the like are just flippers sometimes. 2. I would watch you paint your office. The specific content does not matter a ton. I am not a big fan or making things unless they relate to the thing you are fixing. I like Farmcraft, or when you when you mill something, weld something or print something to fix an issue. 3. I have done YouTube videos from scratch using Kapwing, Text to Voice AI, AI video and image creation - and even a 2 minute video takes a long time. I would not sweat fancy editing and err on getting it done vs getting it perfect. 4. Is a subscription model possible for your repair business? Essentially people pay a month retainer to have you available to do work? Most of them I have seen relate more to maintenance stuff which you probably do not want but might be worth research. Maybe it would create unnecessary pressure to take work on though. 5. Thumbnails. For whatever reason what YouTube suggests for me is generally bad but thumbnails can help drive clicks. I have recently tried https://ideogram.ai/ for some cool images, Sometimes I use ChatGTP to feed it descriptions. 6. Fireside chats. I would live to hear some stories maybe podcast style of talking about cool and bad things you have done or seen done. Maybe with Scott from Vehcor, Mortske, or another friend. They could fill a video slot with less effort. Maybe the worst DIY repair, worst bondo wagon, etc. 7. Lean into AI at some point for help editing. It may not be there yet but look for ways to reduce your editing effort. 8. Surveys - survey monkey is free , not sure Patreon followers are a good audience as I stated earlier I'd watch you watch paint dry. If you really ever want more input it might be the way to go, or you could use Google Forms or something else - but in general do what you want to do.

Tom Hollowell

2024-07-20 13:48:45 +0000 UTC

Crazy ideas are fun, BUT customers pay the bills, wife needs to be happy, bottom line always matters!!!

StarWatcher

2024-07-20 13:46:12 +0000 UTC

Call me a fan, I’ve watched all your videos and will continue to watch your content. My attention span is 30-45 minutes. Give us, who are willing and can afford it a higher Patreon tier. Also I put on Mortske when I want to fall asleep

Bill Scott

2024-07-20 13:45:09 +0000 UTC

I understand why you would like to do interesting things, however customers pay the bills!! So unless you are independently wealthy you have to have income, that means customers!!!

StarWatcher

2024-07-20 13:28:51 +0000 UTC

Don't make a video that is worthless!! Your videos are great, I already skip through some of the videos because of the padding that is useless(NOT your videos, other videos I start to watch!)!! Your videos are very good and very interesting!!!

StarWatcher

2024-07-20 13:25:22 +0000 UTC

In my opinion the two hours plus videos are a bit excessive like you said just a lot of padding and stuff that could have been edited out. I prefer the quick to the point, here's what I did, let me explain a bit and move on. Being the "old man" that I am, I'll fall asleep watching before I make it to the end. Just my 2 cents, do what makes you happy and keeps you sane.

Mike Sullivan

2024-07-20 13:14:07 +0000 UTC

FWIW I personally don't watch shorts. I can understand the desire to move away from daily vehicle repair and spend more time working on personal projects, but the YT'ers I follow that live entirely off YT seem like seriously overworked slaves to the algorithm and that compromises them in more than one way, sometimes distressingly so. If it were me, I'd do my best to keep my existing customers happy because at the end of the day, YT could disappear tomorrow and I'd need the work from them to survive.

Chris Freemesser

2024-07-20 12:47:28 +0000 UTC

I really like the 20-50 minute video, 2 hours is way to long especially if its just filler, I really like your style and format and the sort of format that Cutting Edge and South Main auto do, it moves along, has good information and a little light shenanigans. If you have to stretch the videos out maybe do the first half with the usual format and then say "stick around for extra content" wink wink and pack the back half of the video with b roll. Maybe that will give your algorithm a boost without selling out to the algorithm or forcing your usual fans to schlog through filler. shorts are designed to be addictive, just suck you in and get you trapped in a scrolling loop, kinda like the Facebook feed, but more aggressive.

Greg

2024-07-20 12:25:17 +0000 UTC

Wes I love your channel and I love all your content. I enjoy your content because you're ernest about it. You have a genuine interest that shows through. I say do the content that makes you happy, trying to play to the audience is never good because everyone is different. I watch two other channels (Joe and Zach Survival and Diesel Creek) I have watched Joe mow his lawn and plant a garden and basically putz around. What makes it watchable is not what he is doing but the fact that he believes 100% in what he is doing. Diesel Creek is similar. Is he the greatest speaker, no, is he the greatest editor, no, but he loves what he's doing and that makes it interesting. Maybe you are the one that brought South Main Auto to my attention. But Eric struggles to not make 100 brake job videos. He also makes a lot of multi part videos. Don't be afraid to make multi part videos it keeps people coming back. I would say you are one of the smartest people I have ever seen, if you create content on projects you are excited and fired up about you will find an audience.

M Drouard

2024-07-20 12:19:21 +0000 UTC

I hate commenting on stuff because at the end of the day everything i write is just a single person’s opinion that might not be very representative for the target audience you want to reach. So, take it with a grain of salt. Here we go: Shorts: Hate them... I think the only way they can be useful is as a teaser for an upcoming video. Long Videos: I would watch a 90 min video when there is actual content. But i have to agree with you that almost all of the 1hr+ videos are simply stretched out in editing. Things that would have been time lapsed or cut in the past are now shown in real time and that sometimes literally means watching paint dry. Also stretching simple operations into a 20 part video series with 40+ minutes episodes where the actual work takes much less time then the aggregated youtube minutes might work for the algorithm but not for me. I also don’t need a 10 min explanation how a starter solenoid works or a 15 min montage of adjusting a 4-jaw lathe chuck in every single video just to stretch out the content. For me personally the way you condense your content is perfect. There are very few Channels where a almost never skip over parts of the video (CEE, This Old Tony, Squatch253, Croker vs Rover,...) and you are definitely one of them because I have the feeling I might miss relevant information if would skip parts. Type of content: What i like about channels like for example CEE and you is the authenticity of the videos. You show real work that is done on real things instead of building a stupid billiard robot with no purpose other than creating youtube content. Specifically with your videos for me it does not really matter if it is car, tractor, machining or construction content as log as it is interesting, and the final product has a real world purpose i will watch it. Suggestions: Just some random thoughts, but my lack of experience with the producer side of youtube might render them useless and irrelevant. A regular production and release schedule might work well for you. CEE for example, as far as I understood, seem to have a specific day of the week (mostly Saturday) where they film then they edit during the week and publish every Friday. That way you have a day to focus on filming, can do customer work and prepare things during the week without distractions. For me this would be necessary just to force me into some kind of structure. It might be time to get some help with filming and editing. I don’t produce youtube videos but i know very well how it is to start a thousand projects and wanting to do everything yourself. In the end you are just frustrated because there are so many thins you want to do but just not enough time. In your case i think you need to offload some of the work that can be done by some else. That does not mean your videos will lose their style, you can still be the “director” but, staying with CEE as a reference, you need a Karen...

Raphael Schwarz

2024-07-20 11:52:20 +0000 UTC

I'd love to see the log skidder taken further. Though I agree with one of the other commenters, the quick attach feels like it would have the greatest impact to you. With regards to the algo, why not play the game? You likely have enough "fluff" so why not stuff the video with that but then in the comments, put time stamps where folks can click ahead to skip through the BS? I don't know how much work that would be.

Bubba Hyde

2024-07-20 11:50:48 +0000 UTC

Please Please Please, do what makes you happy. If you are not enjoying making the content you put out it will show, no matter how hard you try to please the "algorithm" your unhappiness will lose you "views".

Tim Allan

2024-07-20 11:34:02 +0000 UTC

2-3 “normal” videos, each a chapter within a single, longer release. The tyranny of the weekly video isn’t something that you should be enslaved to - one a month to satisfy the algorithm / pay the bills, perhaps with weekly teasers as you edit

James Riordan

2024-07-20 11:24:54 +0000 UTC

For me i prefer the videos in the 30min to 1hr range. Some people get away with longer vids if what they are doing is interesting. I skip through most VGG stuff these days because its fluff and filler with not alot going on, same with Andrew Camarata. As for content i think some came originally for the cnc stuff and stuck around for the automotive (me) others hopped on board when the 'will it run vids' did well. I think keeping a mix of automotive repairs and machining is the way to go maybe. Have a run of the mill automotive repair once a week. Have longer term projects in the background to make longer videos with. I would like to see the bikes getting done and the body swap on the trucks. Would also like to see you getting the hurco set up and fixing all the odd jobs on that. On the Rabbit 'Golf', Vauxhall/Opel did a gearbox similar to what you are talking about. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easytronic#:~:text=Easytronic%20is%20the%20Opel%20tradename,a%20single%2Dplate%20dry%20clutch. It worked like an automatic but if you pushed the gearlever over to the left you could switch to semi automatic and go through the gears sequentially like a wrc car forward to go up the gears and pull back to go down. It displayed the gear in the dash. My Mam used to own own a Corsa with the same gearbox it was quite fun.

Darran

2024-07-20 11:14:59 +0000 UTC

i don't have any brilliant ideas to help, but I am here, as others have stated, because of your presentation skills and personality. I have a Tool Making and Machine building background and I enjoy the level of discussion that you put forth on these videos.

Gary Kaiser

2024-07-20 11:09:41 +0000 UTC

Wes, what are your priorities? Are you looking to maximize revenue so you can not take paying customer work? Are you looking to have YT subsidize the cost of interesting projects (if not be cashflow positive at the right valuation of your time)? Are you looking to feed content to maintain/grow the specific composition of your existing member/subscriber base? Each of those leads to different balances of answers from "keep chasing what you think will get the most views and revenue on youtube" to "serve yourself first and see who follows"

FliesLikeABrick

2024-07-20 11:08:55 +0000 UTC

Quick attach all the way; has the most value to you in the long run.

Nick Vogel

2024-07-20 11:08:48 +0000 UTC

Personally, I like your videos the way they are. But I'm sure I'll enjoy them longer or shorter as you see fit. I "watch" the longer videos, but usually as background noise while I'm playing with my daughter. I'm also an engineer, and I live by the motto "don't take 30 minutes to tell a 5 minute story." So, I appreciate your style. You did inspire me to start video documenting my own restoration efforts. It's no where near your quality, but I've found in that sub-genre it's difficult to make a shorter video that isn't just 30 minutes of cut, weld, grind, repeat. In order to actually document progress (as you noted with the Malibu), it takes a lot of effort. Or I have to leave lots in the waste bin. Since those videos are targeted more at friends/family, it really doesn't matter.

Nicholas Hansford

2024-07-20 10:54:27 +0000 UTC

For the flies - I keep an older "bug-a-salt" salt scattergun in the shop

FliesLikeABrick

2024-07-20 10:48:11 +0000 UTC

Log skidder - I wonder if any local tree service/forestry companies would like to know that you have it; either to buy it (maybe you would want to offer a best-effort/good faith effort to service/support it on a T&M basis?) Or to have you come out to run the machine for them in situations where it makes sense

FliesLikeABrick

2024-07-20 10:41:47 +0000 UTC

Do what you are most passionate about, otherwise youtube will just be (or continue to be) a job/grind. I watch YT content from channels that I find educational and motivating, and 90% of what makes that engaging is the passion of the person doing the thing. Your communication/presentation skills are excellent and when you are enjoying what you are doing it just ties it all together. I don't have input on the project vs customer work vs "servicing the whole customer" Too many youtube content creators worry about "the algorithm", when it surely is not "a" signular thing. It is likely a mix of models that aims for the highest engagement, which will take many forms depending on what inputs/feedbacks it is getting about engagement signals like revenue, watch time, youtube premium subscriptions (which I have). Don't worry about any of that, just make content that you want to make and let Gootube worry about bringing you together with the right audiences (past/present/future). Your "thumb on the scale" comment makes plenty of sense, but this is an evolving thing. "nothing we're going to be able to do about it" - if someone is 100% beholden to YT for your income, then that's another thumb on the scale vs if there were other platforms to publish on more generally (the individual is really reliant on YT policy and organizational changes and now has to try to appease everything they think they need to). Fortunately it does not sound like you are in the situation where you need to jump if you think YT is thinking you might need to jump. Hopefully if creators stop making the big long content videos as reliably (just because they "think that is what YT wants"), that means things will evolve. Personally, I would be surprised if the platform finds it valuable, in the long term, for only 20 minutes watch time in a 60+ minute video, it likely just takes time for the platform to evolve. Similar to another comment, perhaps stop saying/thinking about the "algorithm", it's so incredibly personalized based on the content and the individual viewers and trying to distill it down to just a couple of dimensions (to wrap our heads around it) probably leads to more misleading conclusions than valuable long-term decisions. Another way to phrase/think about it -- don't worry about youtube for youtube (its technologies/policies/landscapes/trends). I would say put your interests and content preferences first, as if you were publishing on multiple platforms/not youtube/not just youtube. If you were making a TV series, it would be the publisher/whatever's job to pick you up and get you in front of the right audiences. It is too bad there isn't currently an ecosystem of youtube competitors to help this be seen as a commodity instead of something that needs to be appeased (and I would argue it is not a platform/algorithm/audience that should be/needs to be appeased anyway, but competition would make that all the more clear) I agree, don't give into shorts/attention span bullshit content, use them when it makes sense as an excerpt of something else or promoting a project you're working on, or not at all. Do the content length that makes sense for you, but do what feels genuine to you -- don't feel the artificial need to shorten or lengthen your content. I also have made a handful of youtube videos in the last year (mostly content about under-documented topics and repairs, not meant to get a following/audience), and even with the hours of content and editing I have done and learning curves I've worked through, indeed I still can't imagine the time it takes for you to do it all for your content -- all the more reason to make content that makes this worth it to you since "you don't get back what you put into it" as you said. so get enjoyment out of the projects/content where you can. That said -- I love watching you work on machines repair and part repair. I am working on starting my own shop doing rurally- and agriculturally- focused repairs, so I find the mix of automotive, ag equipment, and machine tool repair perfect (more repair than fabrication, but occasionally the fab skills help do repairs!). but I'd watch whatever you are interested in making

FliesLikeABrick

2024-07-20 10:18:39 +0000 UTC

Do the quick attach for the bobcat. Stop saying "algorithm".

Adrian Gadd

2024-07-20 10:02:14 +0000 UTC

I'm a premium YT subscriber, so I don't see ads. It's pretty much 90% of "TV" that I watch. I like to see regular folks doing their jobs well. It's inspiring. I'll watch Eric O's brake job vids every single time because he inspires me to do my own. He doesn't waste my time, and he's entertaining. I think that's pretty much a perfect channel.

david batig

2024-07-20 10:01:23 +0000 UTC

I really like your style and your content so far. But on an abstract level, all your content has that engineering attitude and most importantly feels real to me, which I think I value the most. The customer work probably helps with that, as well as not trying to sell me VPNs, shave utensils or Scottish titles. I tend to be disappointed to varying degree with other creators moving to full-time YouTube as their budget increases, and they do projects just for youtubes sake. For the "fix it" content, I believe some struggling, some time and money constraints or the worn out beyond feasibility equipment is what makes it so interesting. I really enjoyed your content so far as it had a nice mix of trucks, some tractors, equipment, cars and pickups. The odd machine tool content didn't hurt either. As I understand it, moving to full-time YouTube you would also be moving more towards a "build it" channel or vice versa. For the "build it" content, I liked your attempts so far. I think it's important to make stuff you are genuinely interested in. I get the impression that that would be the case for the things you mentioned, and personally I find all those ideas worthy of execution. Furthermore, I also like that those are somewhat ambitious projects with a combination of some mechanical engineering, some fabrication and some electrical engineering. So I guess what I am trying to say is that I like your "fix it" content and could see myself liking the "build it" variety as well, should that become the norm. In a perfect world, you wouldn't have to choose and just have time to do both, I guess. Should you choose to go for the new style, I would certainly miss the old stuff, but you've done that before when you mostly abandoned CNC machining. From what I can tell that worked out for you and I still enjoy your channel as well. As I said in the beginning, for me, it is your honest style and your engineering background that keeps me here, more than any specific content.

Jens Wieland

2024-07-20 09:45:11 +0000 UTC

Hope you feel better soon Wes! I think the first project / video should be "Building a new shop to fit all my projects" haha I watch some of the long format videos like “Andrew Camarata abusing equipment for 2 hours” but channels like yourself, FarmCraft101, Clickspring, FortNine, South Main Auto, Bad Obsession Motorsport, Ben Eater, are the real quality productions I seek out and often actually learn from, I presume I’m not alone here It's probably cliché but I’d recommend making videos you are interested in and happy / proud of rather than chasing the algorithm dragon too much I really relate to your “long in creativity short on consistency” comment, if you are working on a project your “believe” in it’s easier (not easy) to complete it Don’t feel bad about advertising your Patreon or other ways to support your (merchandise etc) in videos. Support outside of the ad driven algorithm of YT has to be a good thing Maybe in-between your higher effort videos you can do a few of the “Bring us along / update” videos which I assume are easier to make? Perhaps on Watch Wes Wing It channel? In this video it was interesting to see what you had going on in the workshop As a software developer I agree; the MTA (Manual Transmission Automated) project would be an interesting and good learning exercise (I have driven a Fiat Comfortmatic caravan in the UK) but I think the end result may be rather disappointing. Other projects like the CNC press brake or I remember you talking about a DIY wheel alignment machine (a project idea I have also had) would be just as rewarding and more likely to produce a useful and valuable end result Anyways mate just my 2c

Dan M

2024-07-20 08:39:55 +0000 UTC

45 minutes to one hour is where I think a lot of us end up at for desired length. I think you would be surprised. If you had say 30 minutes of "dense" content like your normally have. But throw in 4-5 sections of you doing the hands on stuff (soldering, drilling out a bolt, the actual process start to finish of replacing a cylinder. People will watch it. As long as you don't do the same thing every week. The details of how these things work is what's interesting. Many of us work with this stuff daily but don't rebuild it. It's nice to know what makes it tick.

K H

2024-07-20 08:39:47 +0000 UTC

I have also noticed the increasing length of videos, I also watch vice grip and legit Street cars. Both of them are putting out videos well over an hour. Vice grip just did a 3 hour video! Crazy. I like all your videos. The only solution I can think of knowing your obligations to the family is to cut the video frequency in half and double the length. Might help with the algorithm, but the frequency might hurt. All the projects you mentioned sound cool. I bet you that Malibu video would do really well. The guys I watch literally built their channels around that content. Maybe you could do a project video that takes two weeks, then throw over a fix it video to a video editor. We appreciate the polish you put out, but if it's just repair work, setup three cameras and pay an editor to put it together?

K H

2024-07-20 08:32:47 +0000 UTC

the manual to auto g/box i would be very interested in as i have a manual i can barely drive and i don't want to sell it its low miles and all the work was done by myself so i know its right

brian cook

2024-07-20 08:28:19 +0000 UTC

I think you still need customers the only other channel i watch who has gone full time is Squatch 253 and his views are interesting

brian cook

2024-07-20 08:05:16 +0000 UTC

I really like the projects about the rabbit and press brake automation. Understanding the frustration of the backhoe and big block projects, prioritizing them get annoyances removed and I enjoy that type of video also. the robotic unit is always enjoyable to watch.

Craig D Renwick

2024-07-20 08:01:37 +0000 UTC

Re: Press brake; Instead of hydraulic power, have you considered Servo+Gearbox+Ballscrew/Leadscrew with linear encoder position feedback?

Samuel Thollander

2024-07-20 07:57:10 +0000 UTC

For me, one of the main USPs of your channel is the mix of big and small, common and strange. So moving to only making videos of the really interesting projects would make the channel less interesting for me. It is the mix of projects and everyday rodent induced work that keeps me here. As in life, there must be a bit of routine in videos, to make the special things stand out. At least for my brain. But on the other hand, Youtube's algorithm sucks in suggesting me interesting stuff, so if I like it, the algorithm will probably hate it...

Uffe

2024-07-20 07:47:18 +0000 UTC

For some time now I have noticed certain channels have been padding out their videos and you're rite it waters down the content. As a view you're left thinking "have these channels had their day". In recent times a lot of people have jumped on the YouTube bandwagon watering down the whole of YouTube, flooding it in its favour. The press break and the VW would make good content but would the juice be worth the squeeze? Something to bear in mind , do you remember a few years back when Google introduced G+ to combat Facebook. That fell on its arse an cost Google $1 billion. As for the second channel , have you seen Hickok45's latest post? It seems YouTube is going to delete shooting videos & shutdown gun related channels.

Anthony deFreitas

2024-07-20 07:32:19 +0000 UTC

BTW long videos I usually play at 1.5 % speed, speeds up things greatly XD

Fabian Kropp

2024-07-20 06:24:01 +0000 UTC

You are NOT old, by no means. I assume you got another 50 years of Youtube ahead of you. The only constant in life is change. Your vids are cool, really really cool. I am a trained car mechanic in Germany ( never really worked long as one though). Your skills are outstanding not to say one of a kind like! Whatever you release as a video I will watch it ( given that I still am here). You will get my Patreon support - may it be as little as it is - as long as I can. Just don't give up don't let yourself down. Whatever you try the community will follow you. You are a good and honorable man - according to the impression you leave here on YouTube - keep it up, it would be a real loss for humanity.

Fabian Kropp

2024-07-20 06:18:01 +0000 UTC

I do miss your longer videos. An hour seems perfect if I could put a time on it.

Jeffrey Burdess

2024-07-20 05:23:45 +0000 UTC

😂

Jeffrey Burdess

2024-07-20 05:22:14 +0000 UTC

That auto shifting manual transmission is indeed crazy but I can see that being a pretty popular video series.

Kowyn Hibbert (Warrior of the Rusty Wrench)

2024-07-20 05:06:57 +0000 UTC

Maybe try Rumble.

ptrsn@mchsi.com

2024-07-20 04:49:18 +0000 UTC

Wes this is kind of a dumb idea but here goes, what if you make your usual videos BUT you have the same video 2 or 3 or 4 times back to back to back, so you have the same 20 or 30 min video but it's played multiple times on the same upload, artificially stretched to trick the algorithm into pushing it.

Kowyn Hibbert (Warrior of the Rusty Wrench)

2024-07-20 04:47:26 +0000 UTC

It's pretty much how it goes. New company pops up, company makes cool thing, people sign up, company exploits people for profit, people leave, rinse and repeat.

Watch Wes Work

2024-07-20 04:27:33 +0000 UTC

I've always had that issue of two (or more) different audiences. That's why a second channel might make sense. But that's a risk too.

Watch Wes Work

2024-07-20 04:25:04 +0000 UTC

It's an interesting idea. I could certainly try it. I know some of the scam channels will do the same thing to make the video long enough to insert ads.

Watch Wes Work

2024-07-20 04:21:20 +0000 UTC

Get feeling better soon! Whatever you produce, I will watch it. Adding your family is always a great video plan. Taryl Does All has said he is closing his shop but will continue videos. I think he's semi-retiring.

Jeffry Blackmon

2024-07-20 04:20:59 +0000 UTC

True. The key is to take as much time as you NEED. I don't mind waiting up to a month for say, 45 - 60 min video but even a 30 min video is plenty. Pad as needed with 'greatest hits' segments.

Doug Wray

2024-07-20 04:14:44 +0000 UTC

1. I’m with you on content length. I think utube is trying to become TV replacement and needs eyes around longer to serve the ads. 2. I am a CNC nerd and would watch any content relating to that. I have built a cnc mill and cnc router, and am currently working on a cnc plasma table. 3. Motorcycles are pretty cool, and both of your projects seem to have good content for your current format. 4. The electronics of autoshifting would be very interesting, I don’t have a deep electronics background, so watching someone who knows more than I do on that is interesting. The rest of the projects are , meh. I would watch, but they wouldn’t really be exciting to me. Is there an opportunity for a provider change? Does Rumble have a better algo for what you like to create? How many Patreon subs do you need to make full-timing it worthwhile? I would pay double the current ask, but I would also like an option to lump sum a year at a time. I would rather pay u directly than the ~$20/month to utube.

Rod Richeson

2024-07-20 04:10:44 +0000 UTC

The cab and bed bolts will be tough-but heat, WD40, or drilling the heads should work? The cab and bed are made to be removed.

Roger Howell

2024-07-20 03:52:32 +0000 UTC

I did that for many years.

Watch Wes Work

2024-07-20 03:47:46 +0000 UTC

I don't think anything with a rusty cab is going to be quick, but I've never done one.

Watch Wes Work

2024-07-20 03:47:20 +0000 UTC

How long is longer? I just don't think there is anything that can happen in one man's life in one week that can make 3-1/2 hours of interesting video. But that's just me, and I'm are very poor judge.

Watch Wes Work

2024-07-20 03:46:03 +0000 UTC

I've never thought about live streaming. I'd probably have to get wifey's feet involved to get any views.

Watch Wes Work

2024-07-20 03:43:22 +0000 UTC

That's what I'm saying - if creators ban together & drive their subscribers to fellow creators, you have more organic traffic..... Then maybe the bots will wake up and go "wait, what?"

Chris M

2024-07-20 03:43:04 +0000 UTC

You are talented enough to develop prototype products.

Roger Howell

2024-07-20 03:39:12 +0000 UTC

Your brain works differently than most, love your projects from gour old machine tools to tractors to remodeling. Do what works for you and your family. Love them in the videls!

mike forbes

2024-07-20 03:38:31 +0000 UTC

I thought the original 67? computerized VW had an automated transmission. The FI bike will be interesting. Swapping the cab should be a quick job, if you can find a helper. HS shop student?

Roger Howell

2024-07-20 03:37:53 +0000 UTC

That how I have traditionally done things, but I think I have hit the limit of that format. Not that that's a bad thing, but to keep up, I have to keep moving up.

Watch Wes Work

2024-07-20 03:34:54 +0000 UTC

I think it would fall apart coming off the trailer.

Watch Wes Work

2024-07-20 03:32:50 +0000 UTC

Well I could use the brake in the shop. The skidder not so much.

Watch Wes Work

2024-07-20 03:32:18 +0000 UTC

I appreciate the honesty. And yes I will watch whatever you put up. I definitely like the more indepth videos you do where you scope something or the robot loging. For me the VW auto shift and/or the CNC brake would both be awesome and not run of the mill fix it vids. Your diagnostic skills are second to none, and that has been my job for most of my life albeit in a different discipline. So I like those videos as well. No offense to any other YouTubers but your content is so much more interesting. I just told a good friend Wes is the best period. At the end of the day do whats best for you and your family.

Joseph Palmer

2024-07-20 03:32:16 +0000 UTC

Yeah his videos have steadily become longer over the years. I do watch them, but there is a finite number of carb cleanouts I need to see.

Watch Wes Work

2024-07-20 03:31:38 +0000 UTC

That's what makes it so tricky to crack this nut.

Watch Wes Work

2024-07-20 03:29:48 +0000 UTC

They have basically made it impossible to ignore the algorithm. 98% of my traffic comes from "recommendations", which is the algorithm manipulating folks into seeing my video.

Watch Wes Work

2024-07-20 03:29:23 +0000 UTC

Yeah I feel the same way to a point. There are certainly limits, but it that's true of any format.

Watch Wes Work

2024-07-20 03:27:53 +0000 UTC

I strenuously doubt that will EVER happen. ;-)

Doug Wray

2024-07-20 03:21:52 +0000 UTC

Agreed, ill fast forward long videos. My time is valuable.

mike forbes

2024-07-20 03:20:14 +0000 UTC

Time lapses are ALWAYS great to watch, especially in real time. LOL

Doug Wray

2024-07-20 03:19:26 +0000 UTC

I'll chime in one more time with this - I like all the videos, long and short. I do, however, prefer longer videos with more out takes and shit

Doug Wray

2024-07-20 03:18:16 +0000 UTC

YouTube is a pain in the ass. I appreciate the creators who roll the dice and put out some really cool stuff. I'm one of the people who'll watch whatever comes out. I enjoy the presentation, the explanation and the education. Even things that aren't in my wheelhouse (I'm not a motorcycle guy) have value to me, because I learn something. For the "keep the customer happy" kind of jobs, have you considered doing something in the YouTube Live sort of realm? Set up a camera, bang away at some rusty brakes, no editing, couple of camera moves and maybe a fireside chat during a coffee break. Gets content out there, pokes the algorithm a little, gets customer work done and doesn't add a huge amount of time to the overall job. Give a couple of days notice that you're going to do a livestream and I'm sure there will be some uptake. As for your crazy ideas.... We think in a very similar way, so I'm pretty biased. As you were listing things off, I thought to myself "He wants to do the same weird, cool stuff I want to....but with the right tools and equipment". As a Canadian, when I see a remote controlled log skidder, I see a remote controlled snowplow. I'm not sure on the output flow for the winch, but imagine a front mount plow, rear mount hydraulic powered blower. Sitting in your living room and clearing the driveway. Add in some cameras and 5g connectivity and you can plow the neighbors driveways from your living room.... All of the projects sound interesting. Definitely digging the CNC press brake idea. I think there would be some broader appetite for that, big and unique machine, retrofitting an old machine, CNC tech, checks a lot of boxes. It may also give the opportunity to tinker with the longer format. Chapter it out for the more in depth explanation parts, so if someone just wants to watch the retrofit, they can easily skip, but for those of us who are interested in it all, we can watch through. Also, I like the colour of the office. Bright without being overpowering, good contrast and an all around nice colour.

Brendan Hood

2024-07-20 03:16:38 +0000 UTC

How about creating a new genre of game - using earthmoving equipment? Start small, maybe 2-3 machines, there are numerous types of competition and you all KNOW what they are. Look where BattleBots went

Doug Wray

2024-07-20 03:15:56 +0000 UTC

Or a battle bot...

Doug Wray

2024-07-20 03:14:09 +0000 UTC

Great! I don't plan to stop, but maybe change a bit. No one likes to hear that, but I think it's needed.

Watch Wes Work

2024-07-20 03:14:07 +0000 UTC

Yeah, I finished one thing this year.

Watch Wes Work

2024-07-20 03:13:12 +0000 UTC

Yeah I could certainly do that. In fact there are companies that will do that for me (for a fee of course).

Watch Wes Work

2024-07-20 03:12:36 +0000 UTC

On playing to the algorithm, I prefer your current, high density format. You might consider making shorts as “commercials “ for your main channel as a way to bring in new viewers. I prefer videos that relate to something I might run into at some point - construction, vehicle and equipment repair, and anything machine tool related is good. You have a great way of explaining concepts, so perhaps rotating between several popular type of projects. On the projects that are dragging. Do those, and explain why they drag, why we might not want to try them, how long they took, what parts of the project were the time sinks. Basically allow us to learn from you. The VW project doesn’t really interest me. The skidder is cool, but I could take it or leave it. Maybe get it done and donate it to a museum.

Lee Ludden

2024-07-20 03:11:29 +0000 UTC

The log skidder would make one heck of an RC Roomba.

centauri61032

2024-07-20 03:11:07 +0000 UTC

I have not driven one for almost 20 years. They were pretty bad then, but supposedly they are much better now. The local grain co-op bought a Volvo autoshift and everyone hated it. A year later they order 10 more because the guys were fighting over it.

Watch Wes Work

2024-07-20 03:04:16 +0000 UTC

I think it would be a mistake to move away from your customers. YT will continue to force you through ever more torturous contortions trying to maximize their income and at some point you will throw up your hands and quit YT and if you’ve alienated your customers, it may make for a difficult situation. Personally, as much as I enjoy you, I’m not going to watch hour long videos. I like YT because I can find content that matches my attention span, which is pretty short. I love the repair videos, but I’m not as smart as some of your other viewers so sometimes my eyes glaze over when you’re doing the programming and such. Have you thought about a series of videos on the backhoe and Malibu? You could also do one on the two trucks. 20 or 30 minutes of content on steps to complete the repair. Maybe 3 or 4 segments on each project. You’ve done stuff like that before and I really liked.

John Hill

2024-07-20 03:04:08 +0000 UTC

We were and are doing fine. The money is not really an issue. I just don't want to fade into oblivion.

Watch Wes Work

2024-07-20 03:00:29 +0000 UTC

Always glad that you share your agonizing over your channel, just know that I watch for YOU. You're funny as hell and smart as can be. Maybe some funny 'educational' videos (leaning heavily on stored clips) about safety, efficiency. Or just one with ALL of your various illustrations - some of those are quite nice. With all that video stock you could knock out a short a week and use it to drive traffic to your other vids

Doug Wray

2024-07-20 02:57:58 +0000 UTC

Any of those projects you talk about would get my attention and just to be a wise ass didn't you finish the office... as well as several other project. So you do finish things just at your own pace.

Jon Koferl

2024-07-20 02:56:39 +0000 UTC

I’m cool with hour long vids if you got the stuff for it! YouTube, dude if you’re comfortable taking the leap to just YouTube, more power to you! I think that’s scary as hell!! After some serious injuries I was no longer a viable employee. Do what works best for you and your family! If you stopped making vids tomorrow it would suck but you would have a reason to and if someone doesn’t like it to bad!

Aaron Windsor

2024-07-20 02:56:17 +0000 UTC

Suggestion for the car: make it a giant RC car, then take it to Puddin's and THRASH it. The combination of you, Puddin and Mortske would be a HOWL. That would, imho, be legendary.

Doug Wray

2024-07-20 02:55:14 +0000 UTC

I need you to do the microsquirt bike. I've got a megasquirt on the race car, it was surprisingly easy to do. But I have no idea what I'm doing with the tuning so I'd love to see a video with your excellent explanations of things. Otherwise I'll have to rewatch the same old driving4answers videos. The auto-shift Passat idea is amazing and I would watch the crap out of those videos. CNC brake is also a great idea. Although like the log skidder I have no idea what you'd do with it. That thing is a beast. I thought the 14 ga Pexto shear at our makerspace was beefy but you've got us beat.

Jason Harner

2024-07-20 02:54:40 +0000 UTC

No interest in the motorcycles.

Keith Krieger

2024-07-20 02:54:24 +0000 UTC

Agree on the metal brake project as that gets you into the automation side that you do so well. Also has hydraulics and programming which basically is a repeat but not as flashy as the forestry robot. So would complete forestry project before tackling the brake. The car manual transmission with auto actuators. Nah toss that idea. I find the automatic transmission teardowns you already do plenty interesting as some serious brainpower went into the designs for those things which is still a mechanical marvel. Last of all maybe pump out new vids every 10 days or two weeks if you have to make an hour long product to make algorithm happy. A YouTuber named Mustie1 tends to make his vids about an hour and will usually watch the whole thing. His vids are usually "contrived" to be interesting topics however just like a few of your projects you got into. Fun stuff with engines but not any paying customers for what he does. Not that you should copy him but might see something about what makes him successful

David

2024-07-20 02:54:11 +0000 UTC

Few things: 1. Regarding the YouTube shorts: they are EXTREMELY addictive! Worse than heroin or meth! I start watching them and the next thing I know it's 3:30 AM 🤣🤣 2. Regarding the long videos, they are awesome!! I have been watching your videos since the CNC repair days and my favorites are the old multi part series that are long! I see it as a win-win, you have to do less editing and we can watch the entire thing and see all the little details that often get edited out OR skip through it at our own pace. 3. Regarding the automated manual: THEY ARE HORRENDOUS!! We have 4 Kenworth trucks at my work, 3 have an Allison 6 speed and one has that auto shift and it's awful!! It's like being in a truck with someone that just learned how to drive a manual transmission two days ago!! I think it's partially because it's programmed to achieve maximum fuel economy but it's also just horrible and a lot of times it gets confused as to what gear it should be in! Torque converter automatics are where it's at! I don't care if you lose some efficiency through the converter they are a million times better and there's a reason why automated manuals aren't more popular, you just can't make them work that smoothly and make them last! While it would be cool to see you build a robotic setup to shift a manual transmission automatically, these multi-million dollar companies spend millions of dollars to develop these stupid things and they still don't work right!! Keep up the good work man!! Love your videos, whatever it may be!!

Travis Sabatini

2024-07-20 02:52:31 +0000 UTC

I'm really interested in the VW project. I would absolutely watch that.

Matthew Buck

2024-07-20 02:52:20 +0000 UTC

Were you making a good living before youtube? As much as I'd hate to see you stop making videos, I feel like you have to do what's best for your family. Don't let all the selfish people make up your mind for you.

Dennis Lesh

2024-07-20 02:49:06 +0000 UTC

Don't change, your format is my preferred one.

Matt Bange

2024-07-20 02:45:20 +0000 UTC

Next thing you know they will push for medium videos because no one watches long videos and shorts don't make enough money. :rollseyes: Just keep what you are doing and push for more Patreon money. And all you content creators should cross-promote your videos to bypass the algorithm.

Chris M

2024-07-20 02:45:06 +0000 UTC

For myself, I watch/support the channels I do in equal parts for what the videos are about, and also for who is making them. The personality of the creator makes a "boring job" interesting. I'll watch Eric O. do a zillion boring brake jobs just because he's a hoot to listen to. I'm equal parts learning from and entertained by watching you work on most anything - boring or not. Maybe that doesn't equate to solving broad audience appeal or YT algos, but it's what draws my attention.

Joey

2024-07-20 02:44:38 +0000 UTC

I like it when that engineer/artist pops up on the channel. There's lots of car fixing channels, but engineering/making content is a little thin. You are right, that most of us here are going to watch whatever content you put up

Corey Brabant

2024-07-20 02:43:29 +0000 UTC

Wes, This is a disturbing dilemma, for you and for us ( the viewer). UTube is showing their greed, while at the same time short changing you $$. 🤬🤬🤬

Archie

2024-07-20 02:43:27 +0000 UTC

I think every creator has to eventually decide how much they want their channel to be a "business" vs a creative outlet... In your case, the algorithm seems to be swinging away from your preferences, but that doesn't mean it doesn't pay to follow. I wonder if there's a compromise on video length - keep the edit long, but provide convenient chapters for the folks who want to skip through? If this greatly pains you, this is the kind of work that an editor can happily tailor to YouTube's preferences. For what it's worth, I watch most everything at 2x anyway, so length isn't scaring me away! On shorts, I think the creator benefit is largely to drive new viewers - it helps with discovery. Some of them will find your long-form stuff and subscribe. PirateSoftware shared a very interesting approach to using it for marketing here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mo_KM9sncrQ On content, I think you're courting two (or more!) different audiences - some like "competence porn", which is just you being a great mechanic and diagnostician - and others like the novel build stuff. You're going to get weird feedback when you release different kinds of content because it may ultimately be different kinds of people watching each. Above all else, though, film what keeps you excited and motivated, because burnout will kill things faster than anything else! Love your work, think you're insane for the log skidder (and I think you glossed over some of the really complex bits of "making it work"). I'm just as happy watching you bring piece of equipment back to life as I am watching you put together the office, so carry on! I'll say that making things that have purpose are more interesting to me than frivolous novelties, but that's one voice in thousands. Thanks for your candor!

Andrew Roberts

2024-07-20 02:43:01 +0000 UTC

Definitely do the metal break. That would be fascinating to see. I always appreciate your videos, the more odd the better. Fly laser for the win as well!

Logan Swanson

2024-07-20 02:42:51 +0000 UTC

First off I just want to say I absolutely love your content no matter the length. You are my one and only Patreon subscription. I personally do not have time to watch really long videos. I also think you work incredibly hard. Stop listening to the haters. You are a special creator. If you want to step away from customers I can understand that 100%. I am a GC and I am working my way towards working for myself as well. Doing more investment properties and such where I am not building for clients. I have always dreamed of being a creator but I know I can not handle the editing. You are a trooper, please keep it going. REALLY appreciate all your hard work!!

Noah Bluesky

2024-07-20 02:35:36 +0000 UTC

I guess the first thing I'd say is that you should do what's best for you. If that means less YouTube or longer videos with more filler, go for it. You are one of the few YouTubers that I don't generally increase the playback speed for, but if you add more low density content I can always hit that greater sign key. As for what projects, I really enjoy your videos where you do interesting stuff with your machining and automation background and I assume those videos generally do well for you. The automatic transmission, converting the metal press break, etc are all things that are "unusual" and I assume very few other people on YouTube have done. Finally I'll say that I'd honestly probably watch you do oil changes and break jobs. It's your personality, sense of humor and wit that make the videos the most enjoyable for me. Combined with your troubleshooting, problem solving and engineering skills really make for fun, interesting videos where I still feel like I'm learning something. Finally, as for the log skidder. I think you should keep it incase you go postal one day. You'll need something to convert into an armored tank thing to drive around town. Just try to avoid the people.

Geoffrey Gallaway

2024-07-20 02:34:45 +0000 UTC

Ever hear of the British 'Paint Drying' movie? A British film maker got tired of the criticism s of his films made by the British film Censors, so he made a film of = PAINT DRYING = Ten plus hours of paint slowly drying on a wall. The Government critics HAD to watch the entire film to make an educated review of the film. So, do something similar. Make your preferred 40 minute film, then set the camera to showing the corn in the adjacent field maturing. Record the night sky, or the traffic on the road. Announce when your actual video ends that the remainder is dull stuff to make the algorithm happy, then the viewer can decide what to do. Re-enter the frame in the last minute or so, waving a wrench, to show how you change a fuel filter or blow out an air filter, something arguably related to mechanic work, and say goodby. Algorithms are stupid, so use their stupidity against them.

Richard G. Molpus

2024-07-20 02:34:31 +0000 UTC

One of the reason I went to Patron is the ads on youtube. And you are right I don't watch shorts or hour plus long videos.

Jon Koferl

2024-07-20 02:33:50 +0000 UTC

YouTube is Changing

Comments

I like the build videos much more than the repairs. The cnc press would be awesome.

Me too. I also discovered Dave Brubeck. Take five! Ive been a jazz listener since.

Do whatever makes you happy :)

This, a few folks I’ve given up watching, talk and explain yes, waffle and fluff things out, not so much. YouTube encourages that, but it doesn’t make it right, then it changes again, don’t envy you that, or know what to do about it, sorry.

I find it interesting you didn’t get anything on the shorts. Shorts lay out significantly less, but I’m still pretty sure they normally lay out something (like you might only get $5 for a million views or something ridiculous like that)

Basically the premium fee gets split between YouTube and the creators you watch. The creators get it based on the ratio of your watch time. My understanding is that creators make significantly more per premium view than ad views.

The projects I’d be interested in seeing would be the line boring on the Thomas skid steer and the the merging of the two ford pickups

Wes, just upped from $5 to $10 per month keep doing what you do

I don't even click anymore. I like the guy, but I don't need 45 minutes of opening the glove box and looking in the truck followed by 10 minutes of actual work punctuated by 45 minutes of driving around.

I've seen every episode!

Wes, I love your content for most of the reasons already expressed and because there is a wide mix that never bores. Longer is NOT better and I think your analysis is spot-on. Will enjoy the CNC conversion if you decide to do it.

I just skipped through Mortskis Monday video. I'm getting the sense he was a bit miffed. another fluffy one, 2-1/2 hours.

I'm YouTube premium user and don't get ads so how do they monetize that for you?

Please just keep on keeping on. I do enjoy the car troubleshooting videos.

You have gotten this far with your instincts, no one likes changes, so figure out ya meat and potatoes flicks and gradually bring in changes. Some may work some maybe not. Just trust yourself. Also glad to hear ya put some lag bolts on second level landing.

The combination of RC Roomba with tank tracks made me think of Wall-E

Discord was and probably still is mostly a video gamer app for text and voice chat. Moderation of a Discord channel is yet more work that can usually be passed onto weirdos that don't need to be paid since they enjoy the power trip of banning people... It's basically an online drama generator.

whatever you do i will watch . love your sarcastic attitude , reminds me of the guys i used to work with

Do what works for you. Ill still be here which ever way you decide.

Fly laser killer you say??? Oh ya!!!

I am sure you’ve come to the realization you cannot please everybody. So the next question is who is the most important to please?

Watch Wes Make, maybe. YouTube rules are not fair.

Even Snowball Engineering in the UK farm shop has one like that. Press brake.

Press brake mod yes.

VW auto trans, no.

FarmCraft101 might buy the bot.

Is there another outlet other than YouTube you guys can put videos on. I would switch. Do whatever will make wealth for the future. God bless you and your family.

id love to see the auto shift or what ever you think is a worthy project.

I don't know if it's going to work. In my poll on the subject the majority of people said they want longer videos.

The viewers could "correct" the algorithm by just refusing to watch the long videos. I no longer watch videos over an hour long. If enough people boycott the long videos, then we can impact YouTubes bottom line.

Would love to see something like South Main Auto's "Whats up Wednesday" where you stream an hour live some evening once the kids are in bed. Gives us a chance to put in some superchats with donations and look around the shop at projects?

I like the videos with your Dad and his projects. Your voice gets higher when working with him.

CnC press brake, and the fuel injected 650 Yamaha! I also love the customer car repair videos - I’m in awe that you manage to fix some of them and enjoy watching your thought processes.

Patreon has a "chats" feature that supposedly works like Discord. I haven't tried it either.

I could. I have never used Discord, but it might really help me as long as it doesn't suck too much time.

More thinking about: I’d watch the conversation to automate bending—I think lots of folks would agree. The car—probably more interesting to convert it into a dune buggy or something unique that everyday folks could do if they wanted.

I would love to see alot more of the crazy stuff with Cnc and press brake to the win 💪🏻 don't see that often on other channels 😎

It's your skills and intelligence, no matter the flavor of the day, that I enjoy!

I’d watch you sew a button on a shirt but maybe crush the VW and sell the fords. Drag that tractor to your neighbor today. Just cleaning out the yard will motivate you to do the stuff you really want to do. Thanks Wes.

Wes, the Rabbit project would be awesome. That kind of stuff is interesting to me at least 😆

What's the rub against 3D printing? Seems pretty harmless.

PS I don't like Shorts either, you just get interested and bang it's gone.

As Terry Lawrence said "In the end, I would watch anything you put up". I think that goes for almost all of your patreons, we are here because it's you they want to watch. You have some way off mark ideas for "commercial" channels, but that is why we're here. You do what you want and we'll watch.

Do you see a % of what your viewers are in terms or premium/not premium?

Wes you are best thing on YouTube.hope you get better soon mate all the best to you and your family

Oh, And please don’t start making extra long videos. Blah.

Hi, Can you attach one of your older videos onto the end of a new one. It will be longer and no one needs to watch the second one if they have seen it before. Just edit it on to the first one.

This. Shorts aren't content. They are commercials. Used properly they can drive users to other content. Agree that this nees to be populate with low hanging fruit of B roll and not a main mission.

In the end, I would watch anything you put up

I personally don't watch shorts/TikTok, but I do see how they would help with exposure. Maybe do a few clips from long form videos and use them as "Preview/Trailers" that link to the full videos. (Creative framing will be needed to get both portrait and landscape shots)

Give it a try, you'll see some incredible stuff.

I use YouTube Premium as well. I don't have patience for ads.

You're exactly right. I'm terrible at selling things, especially myself. I need to get the wife onto the other social media outlets.

I could. I've never watched Tiktok but I know Edison Motors posts there a lot.

All good points. Thanks!

Maybe because it was only put on smaller cars that you don't tend to have in the US? also maybe cheaper to do it that way in Europe as a higher percentage of cars are manual, easier to do that than develop an auto box possibly?

Yeah, I hear what you are saying.

Interesting. I wonder why they were not sold in the US.

Hmm. I guess I never really thought about it. I just want to make the kind of videos I want to watch.

I actually asked a tree trimmer I know. He just kind of laughed. They have a nice skid steer that will run circles around the skidder. I think it's more of a toy.

Scott at Vehcor is looking for stuff to do, doing a body swap with him could be interesting

I'll do the thumbnail, just set me loose....

I have it! A Watch Wes Work Rifftrax for bad mechanical how to videos! Especially open source videos from the 30's, 40's and 50's

I still get the odd comment 6 years later that people miss the machining content.

A laser to kill flies LOL i love that. I don't have any advice as to projects I would watch other than if you publish it I'll watch it.

That's great feeback, thank you!

My brother was a landscape contractor and got into apartments early in his career and was able to get out of contacting after several years. Dealing with what he called the "general public" takes years off your life.

We wouldn't want you to either. 😁

I could probably do that. I don't think I'll ever be a "car guy" though.

Sometimes I think I'm the only one still doing customer work. Mortske, Puddin, Diesel Creek, Hank Hamilton, Abom79, Andrew Camarata, etc are all full time YouTubers.

I have. I did the math and I would need some serious screws and motors. It would make it a lot easier though.

That's how I feel too.

Yeah I saw that. I think the whole hunting and gun related genre is a dead end on YouTube and it's really a shame.

I'll try.

They are probably smart enough to figure that out, but it might be worth trying!

I don't think any other platform can compete with YouTube, so I have to play their games. Thanks for the feedback!

Crazy ideas are fun, BUT customers pay the bills, wife needs to be happy, bottom line always matters!!!

Call me a fan, I’ve watched all your videos and will continue to watch your content. My attention span is 30-45 minutes. Give us, who are willing and can afford it a higher Patreon tier. Also I put on Mortske when I want to fall asleep