# An Interview with Great Scott

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2016-01-29
- Length: 1h 11m
- Episode: 284
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-01-29-an-interview-with-great-scott
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/284-an-interview-with-great-scott/

## Summary

Dave Jones, the creator of the Great Scott! YouTube channel, discusses his journey from a German dual-study program to building a large online community. He details the technical challenges of prototyping an electric longboard, including mechanical mounting issues and control system design using a Wii Nunchuk. Jones also explains his preference for perf-board prototyping in industrial settings and his sourcing strategies, relying on Chinese online retailers for components while using local stores like Conrad Electronics for specific needs.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-01-29-an-interview-with-great-scott#t=0) Introduction: Dave Jones and Great Scott! Channel
- [2:36](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-01-29-an-interview-with-great-scott#t=156) German Education System: Ausbildung and Dual Study
- [12:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-01-29-an-interview-with-great-scott#t=722) Electric Longboard Project: Mechanical and Control Challenges
- [17:36](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-01-29-an-interview-with-great-scott#t=1056) Home Lab Setup and Component Sourcing in Germany
- [24:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-01-29-an-interview-with-great-scott#t=1478) Prototyping Methods: Perf-board vs. PCB Design
- [31:57](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-01-29-an-interview-with-great-scott#t=1917) Community Management and Content Strategy
- [46:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-01-29-an-interview-with-great-scott#t=2760) Career Dilemma: Engineering Job vs. Full-Time YouTuber
- [53:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-01-29-an-interview-with-great-scott#t=3180) Beginner Advice: Analog Basics and Arduino Misconceptions

## Topics

- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Maker community & events](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/maker-community)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)

## Most relevant to

founders before launch

## Mentioned

- Great Scott! (product)
- Conrad Electronics (company)
- Wii remote (product)
- Arduino (product)
- 555 timer (chip)
- Lochmaster (tool)
- Fritzing (tool)
- X-Carve (product)
- Inventables (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [S6E41 James Davis | Living in Ukraine for $12/Day to Become An Engineer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-10-10-s6e41-james-davis-living-in-ukraine-for-12-day-to-become-an-engineer) (Being an Engineer)
- [Episode 100: Live From Boston!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2016-12-09-episode-100-live-from-boston) (Making It)
- [354: The trade off](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2022-05-13-354-the-trade-off) (Making It)
- [Concept to Market in One Year with Allen Walton of SpyGuy.com [Part 2]](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-02-18-concept-to-market-in-one-year-with-allen-walton-of-spyguy-com-part-2) (Predictable Designs Podcast)
- [Episode 240: Thumbs and forks](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2019-12-06-episode-240-thumbs-and-forks) (Making It)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-01-29-an-interview-with-great-scott. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to The Amp Hour.