# An Interview with Louis Rossmann

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2016-08-12
- Length: 1h 36m
- Episode: 311
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-08-12-an-interview-with-louis-rossmann
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/311-an-interview-with-louis-rossmann/

## Summary

Louis Rossmann, founder of the Rossman Repair Group, discusses his journey from a small electronics repair shop to a major YouTube educator, detailing his legal battles with Apple over schematic copyright and his advocacy for Right to Repair legislation. He explains the technical challenges of modern SMD repair, emphasizing the necessity of high-quality hot air stations like the JBC and Haco, and shares insights on debugging complex boards without official documentation. Rossmann also critiques the 'throwaway culture' of consumer electronics and the economic incentives that discourage third-party repair.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-08-12-an-interview-with-louis-rossmann#t=0) Introduction and YouTube Philosophy
- [17:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-08-12-an-interview-with-louis-rossmann#t=1042) The Apple Schematic Copyright Dispute
- [36:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-08-12-an-interview-with-louis-rossmann#t=2205) Right to Repair Legislation and Lobbying
- [54:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-08-12-an-interview-with-louis-rossmann#t=3250) Apple Authorized Repair Program Critique
- [1:10:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-08-12-an-interview-with-louis-rossmann#t=4245) SMD Rework Tools and Techniques
- [1:05:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-08-12-an-interview-with-louis-rossmann#t=3911) Linus Tech Tips Collaboration and Lessons

## Topics

- [Debugging & failure analysis](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/debugging-and-failure-analysis)
- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)
- [Creator business](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/creator-business)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Test & measurement](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/test-and-measurement)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Rossman Repair Group (company)
- Apple (company)
- JBC (tool)
- Haco (tool)
- Fluke (tool)
- Amscope (tool)
- Linus Tech Tips (company)
- Xerox (company)
- IBM (company)
- Cisco (company)
- Lenovo (company)
- Samsung (company)
- Hakko FR801 (tool)
- iPad Rehab (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [058 - Technically Met the Specs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2022-06-15-058-technically-met-the-specs) (Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast)
- [077 - The Beatbox Diversion](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2026-01-09-077-the-beatbox-diversion) (Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast)
- [Ep 258: So Much Unix, Flipper Flip-out, and the Bus Pirate 5](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2024-02-16-ep-258-so-much-unix-flipper-flip-out-and-the-bus-pirate-5) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [iFixit’s Shahram Mokhtari on the hidden design of modern electronics, CES-week manufacturing headlines, and a Reconstruction of Juicero, the $700 connected juicer that defined over-engineering.](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/go-no-go/2026-01-06-ifixits-shahram-mokhtari-on-the-hidden-design-of-modern-electronics-ces-week-man) (Go/No-Go)
- [Ep 178: The Return of Supercon, Victory for Open Source, Exquisite Timepieces, and Documentation to Die For](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2022-07-22-ep-178-the-return-of-supercon-victory-for-open-source-exquisite-timepieces-and-d) (Hackaday Podcast)

## 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/2016-08-12-an-interview-with-louis-rossmann. 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.