# Prototyping, Machining & Accelerators- Mugwumps Mulling Milling

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2012-11-05
- Length: 1h 09m
- Episode: 120
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2012-11-05-prototyping-machining-accelerators-mugwumps-mulling-milling
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/the-amp-hour-120-mugwumps-mulling-milling/

## Summary

Chris Gammell and Dave Jones discuss the fragility of power grids following Hurricane Sandy, highlighting the high costs of power outages in semiconductor fabs and the potential for microgrids. They explore prototyping techniques, including a 7400 series logic contest and a BGA dead-bug build, before diving into Chris's new obsession with CNC machining and the associated costs. The conversation concludes with an overview of hardware-focused accelerators like Y Combinator, Bolt, and Hackcelerator, and the challenges of waterproofing electronics for underwater applications.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2012-11-05-prototyping-machining-accelerators-mugwumps-mulling-milling#t=0) Introduction and Sponsor Read
- [3:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2012-11-05-prototyping-machining-accelerators-mugwumps-mulling-milling#t=194) Power Grid Fragility and Semiconductor Fab Risks
- [13:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2012-11-05-prototyping-machining-accelerators-mugwumps-mulling-milling#t=814) Microgrids, Solar, and Emergency Power Solutions
- [23:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2012-11-05-prototyping-machining-accelerators-mugwumps-mulling-milling#t=1404) 7400 Series Logic Contest and BGA Prototyping
- [38:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2012-11-05-prototyping-machining-accelerators-mugwumps-mulling-milling#t=2310) Microwave Visualization and Raspberry Pi Updates
- [52:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2012-11-05-prototyping-machining-accelerators-mugwumps-mulling-milling#t=3134) CNC Machining: Costs, Tools, and Decision Making
- [1:04:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2012-11-05-prototyping-machining-accelerators-mugwumps-mulling-milling#t=3852) Hardware Accelerators and Startup Ecosystem

## Topics

- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Energy & climate tech](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/energy-and-climate-tech)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Fabrication & craft](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fabrication-and-craft)
- [Batteries & low-power design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/batteries-and-low-power)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)

## Most relevant to

founders before launch

## Mentioned

- BioLite (product)
- Raspberry Pi (product)
- Broadcom (chip)
- Samsung (company)
- ARM (chip)
- AMD (company)
- Y Combinator (company)
- Bolt (company)
- Hackcelerator (company)
- Seeed Studio (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [033 - All Over the Place](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2020-04-27-033-all-over-the-place) (Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast)
- [181: Work on It for Ten Years](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-12-30-181-work-on-it-for-ten-years) (Embedded.fm)
- [Ep 282: Saildrones, a New Classic Laptop, and SNES Cartridges are More Than You Think](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2024-08-02-ep-282-saildrones-a-new-classic-laptop-and-snes-cartridges-are-more-than-you-thi) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [Ep 375: Rebuilding Tech on Our Terms and the Hero Nerd](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2026-06-26-ep-375-rebuilding-tech-on-our-terms-and-the-hero-nerd) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [Episode 173: Concrete Bandsaw](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2018-06-29-episode-173-concrete-bandsaw) (Making It)

## Citing this page

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