# Toasted Marshmallow Connectors

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2021-09-20
- Length: 1h 11m
- Episode: 558
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2021-09-20-toasted-marshmallow-connectors
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/558-toasted-marshmallow-connectors/

## Summary

Hosts Chris Gammell and Dave Jones discuss the pitfalls of using cheap T962A reflow ovens, noting that internal masking tape releases chemicals and powder coating prevents proper earthing, leading to melted SMD connectors. They then cover the recent passing of Sir Clive Sinclair, highlighting his philosophy of cost-down innovation with products like the ZX80 and ZX81. The conversation shifts to the current semiconductor shortage, discussing the Arm China IP dispute, rising TSMC prices, and engineering workarounds like using discrete components instead of integrated modules.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2021-09-20-toasted-marshmallow-connectors#t=0) Introduction and T962A Reflow Oven Review
- [9:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2021-09-20-toasted-marshmallow-connectors#t=560) Modifying T962A Ovens and Component Moisture
- [17:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2021-09-20-toasted-marshmallow-connectors#t=1046) Melted Connectors and Calibration Issues
- [29:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2021-09-20-toasted-marshmallow-connectors#t=1747) Sir Clive Sinclair and Cost-Down Innovation
- [43:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2021-09-20-toasted-marshmallow-connectors#t=2613) NanoVault Design Challenge and Precision Measurement
- [57:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2021-09-20-toasted-marshmallow-connectors#t=3434) Semiconductor Shortage and Arm China Dispute

## Topics

- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Test & measurement](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/test-and-measurement)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- T962A (product)
- Wizzu (company)
- Control Leo 3 (product)
- ZX80 (product)
- ZX81 (product)
- Sinclair C5 (product)
- Raspberry Pi (product)
- LTZ1000 (chip)
- HP 3458A (product)
- Arm (company)
- TSMC (company)
- Renesas (company)
- Dialogue Semiconductor (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Ep 313: Capacitor Plague, Wireless Power, and Tiny Everything](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2025-03-21-ep-313-capacitor-plague-wireless-power-and-tiny-everything-cb8186ab) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [322: Learn Assembly Code](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-02-28-322-learn-assembly-code) (Embedded.fm)
- [For Want of a Resistor](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/oxide-and-friends/2026-09-16-for-want-of-a-resistor) (Oxide and Friends)
- [Ep 313: Capacitor Plague, Wireless Power, and Tiny Everything](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2025-03-21-ep-313-capacitor-plague-wireless-power-and-tiny-everything-b56cece1) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [251: I Agreed at the Time](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-06-29-251-i-agreed-at-the-time) (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/2021-09-20-toasted-marshmallow-connectors. 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.