#hardware-engineering
218 episodes
#5286: Soldering Isn't Dead — It's a Hiring Bottleneck
Robots build the boards, but humans fix them — and the industry can't hire enough people who can hold an iron.
#5270: Teardowns as Documentation: Inside the Hardware Repair Playbook
A dead Dremel sparks a deep dive into teardowns as a documentation discipline — and why board-level knowledge matters more than ever.
#5268: 10 Absurd Power Tools That Actually Got Made
A motorized leaf pruner, a chainsaw bayonet, and the Suck Kut — ten power tools that solve problems nobody had.
#5263: Why Micro USB Ports Break and How to Fix Them
Micro USB ports fail mechanically, not electrically. Here's why they break, how to diagnose it, and whether a USB-C swap is worth it.
#5211: Brass vs Stainless: Marking HDPE Boxes That Last
Engraving HDPE storage boxes means fighting heat, not cutting. Here's how stencil material, carbide bits, and groove depth all connect.
#5131: Drill Bits Decoded: Wood, Steel & Tile
Why the right drill bit matters more than the drill itself — and how each material shapes its perfect tool.
#5127: Brushless vs Brushed Motors: What You're Really Paying For
Carbon blocks, copper windings, and a controller that changes everything. Here's what "brushless" actually means on your tools.
#5125: Why Your Cordless Tool Dies While Plugged In
Power path management explained — why your Dremel can't charge and run at the same time, and what it would take to fix it.
#5124: Sharpening, Cleaning & Polishing with a Rotary Tool
Can a Dremel really sharpen a knife? What about drill bits? We break down which accessories work and which are a waste.
#5114: Concrete Screws vs Drywall Anchors: What Actually Works
Concrete screws need pilot holes—here's why, plus how to match bits, avoid rebar, and pick the right anchor for drywall.
#5111: The Quiet Appeal of Industrial-Grade Stuff
Why do some people get genuinely excited about a heavy-duty bin? The strange, satisfying world of spec-driven purchasing.
#5110: Carabiner Load Ratings: What Can They Really Hold?
Carabiners are stronger than you think—but the real risk isn't the hook breaking. We break down load ratings, gate design, and trust.
#5107: The Wearable Power Grid: Smart or Just Early?
Is a distributed belt-mounted power system the future of EDC, or just a clever fantasy? We dig into the engineering.
#5101: Drill Bits and Concrete: What Actually Worked
A 12V drill, a $20 bit set, and a reinforced safe room wall — what actually happened, and why the first bit failed.
#5097: Who Actually Gets Paid to Test Hardware?
Real testing vs. affiliate content — and whether AI can finally separate genuine reviews from the noise.
#5096: Vacuum Engineering: When Industrial Machines Beat Consumer Gear
Why a $500 Bosch industrial vacuum outperforms a $700 Dyson — and what happens when you take construction-site gear home.
#5092: Pelican Cases vs. Neoprene: The Real Tool Travel Trade-Off
Weighing hard cases like Pelican Air against neoprene sleeves and padded inserts for carrying tools on flights.
#5091: Hex vs Round Shank: When Drill Bit Footprints Fail
Why small hex bits snap, big reduced shanks twist, and what actually works for precision drilling.
#5090: Drill Accessories: Useful or Gimmick?
Cleaning brushes work, jigsaw converters don't. We break down which drill attachments are worth your money.
#5082: Why Mechanical Keyboards Refused to Die
The surprising economics and community revival behind the keyboard that wouldn't stay dead.
#5080: SKÅDIS vs Industrial Pegboard: IKEA's Clever Lock-In
IKEA broke the pegboard standard. Here's why that's both frustrating and brilliant.
#5072: Tiny Raised Numbers: Why Embossing Is a Mold, Not a Mark
Why those tiny raised numbers on plastic parts are molded in, not stamped on — and what that means for aftermarket marking.
#5070: HUD vs. Portable Screens: Solving Car Nav in the Heat
Daniel's tablet melts in the Israeli sun. True HUDs can't show maps, but portable CarPlay screens might be the real answer.
#5060: Engraving Bits Decoded: Geometry, Grade, and Material Match
Cone vs. ball-nose vs. pointed, C2 vs. C4, single vs. multi-flute — what actually matters when engraving with a handheld rotary tool.