# An Interview with Brent of OSHstencils

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2016-10-21
- Length: 1h 06m
- Episode: 320
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-10-21-an-interview-with-brent-of-oshstencils
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/320-an-interview-with-brent-of-oshstencils/

## Summary

Brent Jones of OSHStencils explains how his frustration with the high cost of replacing stencils for every PCB revision led him to launch a service providing affordable, quick-turn stencils for hobbyists and small businesses. He details the technical differences between Kapton (polyimide) and stainless steel stencils, the evolution of their laser cutting equipment from hobbyist to industrial LPKF fiber lasers, and the challenges of scaling production while maintaining a 24-hour shipping promise. Jones also discusses the nuances of solder paste application, the importance of material quality in preventing defects like tombstoning, and the company's strategic pivot to serve both the maker community and professional assembly houses.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-10-21-an-interview-with-brent-of-oshstencils#t=0) Introduction and Origin Story
- [3:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-10-21-an-interview-with-brent-of-oshstencils#t=183) The Problem with Traditional Stencils
- [9:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-10-21-an-interview-with-brent-of-oshstencils#t=567) Kapton vs. Stainless Steel Materials
- [13:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-10-21-an-interview-with-brent-of-oshstencils#t=797) Solder Paste Application Techniques
- [27:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-10-21-an-interview-with-brent-of-oshstencils#t=1672) Laser Cutting Equipment Evolution
- [31:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-10-21-an-interview-with-brent-of-oshstencils#t=1887) Scaling Production and Capital Challenges
- [40:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-10-21-an-interview-with-brent-of-oshstencils#t=2447) Stainless Steel Launch and Custom Machinery
- [48:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-10-21-an-interview-with-brent-of-oshstencils#t=2935) Quality Comparison: Domestic vs. Offshore
- [55:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-10-21-an-interview-with-brent-of-oshstencils#t=3323) Future Trends and Company Updates

## Topics

- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- OSHStencils (company)
- Osh Park (company)
- LPKF (tool)
- Epilogue (tool)
- Kester (product)
- Adafruit (company)
- GerbV (tool)
- DuPont (company)

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- [Startup to Award Winner: Exploring Stentech's Innovations with co-founder Sergio Juarez Madrid](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-12-19-startup-to-award-winner-exploring-stentechs-innovations-with-co-founder-sergio-j) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
- [123: Banished from Running Linux](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-10-28-123-banished-from-running-linux) (Embedded.fm)
- [407: Boards Are Like Sandwiches](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2022-03-24-407-boards-are-like-sandwiches) (Embedded.fm)
- [171: Perfectly Good Being Square and Green](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-10-12-171-perfectly-good-being-square-and-green) (Embedded.fm)

## 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/2016-10-21-an-interview-with-brent-of-oshstencils. 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.