Ep 3. Wheel of Death

Savage Builds is a show that follows Adam Savage, the former Mythbuster, as he tackles some of the biggest and most complicated projects in the world. In season 1 episode 3, titled "Wheel of Death," Savage takes on a unique challenge that will leave you on the edge of your seat.

The episode starts with Savage introducing the concept of the "Wheel of Death," a carnival ride where performers ride motorcycles around a vertical wall and perform gravity-defying stunts. Savage notes that the ride is dangerous, thrilling, and the ultimate test of skill and courage. The challenge he sets for himself is to build a small-scale version of the Wheel of Death and perform the stunts himself.

To do this, Savage enlists the help of two experts: a professional motorcycle stunt driver and a mechanical engineer who specializes in building carnival rides. Together, they begin the process of designing and building the miniature Wheel of Death.

The first challenge they face is designing a mechanism to rotate the wall on which the motorcycles will ride. They decide to use a hydraulic system, which will provide the necessary torque and speed to keep the motorcycles moving. They build a small-scale model of the hydraulic system and test it to ensure that it can support the weight of the motorcycles and riders.

Once the hydraulic system is tested and confirmed, the team moves on to constructing the wall. They use a thick sheet of steel to build the wall and carefully weld it together to ensure that it is strong enough to support the weight of the riders. They also add a special coating to the wall to give it additional grip, which is necessary for the motorcycles to stick to it as they ride.

With the wall complete, the team moves on to constructing the motorcycles that will be used in the stunts. They build two motorcycles, one for Savage and the other for the professional stunt driver. These motorcycles are designed to be lightweight and agile, with powerful engines that can maintain speed and momentum as they ride around the wall. The team also adds special wheels that will allow the motorcycles to stick to the wall, even when they are upside down.

Finally, the moment arrives for Savage and the stunt driver to attempt the stunts. Savage is nervous but excited as he starts up his motorcycle and begins to ride around the wall. He quickly discovers that the experience is both thrilling and terrifying, as he hangs upside down and races around the wall at high speeds.

The episode ends with Savage and the stunt driver successfully completing several stunts on the Wheel of Death, including hanging upside down, riding sideways, and jumping on and off the wall. Savage is exhilarated by the experience and notes that he has gained a new appreciation for the real performers who ride the full-size Wheel of Death.

Overall, season 1 episode 3 of Savage Builds is a fascinating and thrilling exploration of the world of motorcycle stunts and carnival rides. It showcases the hard work and dedication of the team that built the miniature Wheel of Death, as well as the incredible bravery and skill of the performers who ride the real thing. This episode is a must-see for fans of adrenaline-fueled challenges and breathtaking stunts.