# S2E41 The Hacksmith | James Hobson

- Show: [Being an Engineer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer)
- Published: 2021-09-24
- Length: 58m
- Episode: 41
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-09-24-s2e41-the-hacksmith-james-hobson
- Listen: https://teampipeline.us/james-hobson-the-hacksmith/

## Summary

James Hobson, founder of Hacksmith Industries, explains how he transitioned from a mechanical engineering student to running a YouTube channel that builds functional prototypes of fictional items like the Iron Man helmet and Tesla Cybertruck. He details the company's growth from a solo hobbyist project to a 23-person team operating out of a 13,000-square-foot facility, highlighting the role of viral hits like the Captain America shield in driving sponsorship revenue. Hobson also discusses the technical challenges of building the Alien Power Loader, the importance of in-house manufacturing tools like fiber lasers, and his philosophy on self-taught engineering.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-09-24-s2e41-the-hacksmith-james-hobson#t=0) Introduction and Background
- [1:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-09-24-s2e41-the-hacksmith-james-hobson#t=110) From Gymnastics to Engineering Education
- [7:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-09-24-s2e41-the-hacksmith-james-hobson#t=426) The Viral Breakthrough and Business Model
- [13:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-09-24-s2e41-the-hacksmith-james-hobson#t=806) Project Timelines and Prototyping Philosophy
- [19:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-09-24-s2e41-the-hacksmith-james-hobson#t=1170) Engineering Resources and Suppliers
- [22:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-09-24-s2e41-the-hacksmith-james-hobson#t=1359) Failures, Safety, and Stunts
- [29:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-09-24-s2e41-the-hacksmith-james-hobson#t=1756) Technology Limits and Battery Constraints
- [32:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-09-24-s2e41-the-hacksmith-james-hobson#t=1933) Future Products and IP Strategy
- [38:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-09-24-s2e41-the-hacksmith-james-hobson#t=2319) Manufacturing Tools and Materials
- [49:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-09-24-s2e41-the-hacksmith-james-hobson#t=2956) The Alien Power Loader Project
- [40:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-09-24-s2e41-the-hacksmith-james-hobson#t=2459) Career Advice and Conclusion

## Topics

- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Batteries & low-power design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/batteries-and-low-power)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Hacksmith Industries (company)
- McMaster Carr (tool)
- SolidWorks (tool)
- Caterpillar (company)
- Tesla Cybertruck (product)
- Alien Power Loader (product)
- Fiber Laser (tool)
- CO2 Laser Cutter (tool)
- CNC Plasma Table (tool)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [CrunchLabs: Mark Rober](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-04-15-crunchlabs-mark-rober) (How I Built This)
- [Matt Brown (Creator, SuperfastMatt)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/just-gonna-send-it/2026-06-17-matt-brown-creator-superfastmatt) (Just Gonna Send It)
- [Episode 052: Looking back, Looking ahead (again)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2016-01-01-episode-052-looking-back-looking-ahead-again) (Making It)
- [414: Every Video Is Someone’s Career](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2023-10-13-414-every-video-is-someones-career) (Making It)
- [408: If You Build It… Some people might come.](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2023-08-18-408-if-you-build-it-some-people-might-come) (Making It)

## Citing this page

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