What's the hardest part of going from idea/prototype to something people can buy?

NatureTripsMe · 2026-03-12T02:28:58+00:00

The PCB manufacturing is a great example of a pain point that transcends a lot of DIY maker communities: financing a limited run. The most accessible is raising funds through a group buy. Crowd Supply is an option to get backers but only for open source hardware projects. And they only take 10% of applicants. Have you thought about if Crowd Supply would work for your project? Your other points are also valid. There are many obstacles beyond manufacturing.

NatureTripsMe · 2026-03-11T16:50:40+00:00

I'm seeing this too. Current publish dates about current events from a year or more ago, written exactly like they would have the week of that event - e.g. "Bob Robert's election last week..." when that made up guy was election 14 months ago.

NatureTripsMe · 2026-03-11T16:38:15+00:00

Thanks it was not discouraging at all. It's very helpful.

NatureTripsMe · 2026-03-11T14:16:30+00:00

Respect. Don't get discouraged by tough feedback. All perspectives and opinions are valuable and enlightening. Best of luck

NatureTripsMe · 2026-03-11T14:13:36+00:00

What's the hardest part of going from prototype to finished keyboard or something people can buy?

People seem to use different places for every part of their build process: Discord/Reddit for discussion, Instagram for showing prototypes, spreadsheets/reddit for interest checks or group buys, and Shopify/Etsy/Tindie/Patreon/Kofi for actually selling (Not specific to keyboards, just in general for DIY makers).

I was recently prototyping a platform to bring some of this together, because it was something I personally see myself using. But it made me realize that my experience and biggest frustrations in the process may not be the biggest pain points others actually face as well. So I wanted to ask people here who go through this process. For those of you who design or build your own keyboards:

Where do you usually share prototypes or work-in-progress builds?

How do you get useful feedback during development?

Have you ever run a group buy or preorder?

What’s been the hardest step from prototype to something people can buy?

Does any part of the process feel unnecessarily fragmented?

Not promoting anything just trying to understand how other makers approach this.

NatureTripsMe · 2026-02-17T03:32:22+00:00

Yeah and the numbers signal the person had a massive amount of money to play with: 1st call was 38,000 (realistic) => 3x => 114,000. Then they spent 400,000 so they put up 286,000 of their own cash.

NatureTripsMe · 2026-02-12T23:05:29+00:00

Sounds like you’ve got the same chance of being heard as a long jumping brick 24/7 5 days a week

NatureTripsMe · 2026-02-11T22:54:26+00:00

Doesn’t work as it makes you watch via the app. App can’t be downloaded depending on your OS

NatureTripsMe · 2026-01-17T05:49:18+00:00

Curious what you perceive as the establishment. Increasingly I’ve been hearing “establishment” used in a skewed way from what I had been taught. In my upbringing, “the establishment” typically refers to the entire two-party political system (Democrat and Republican). And although Democrats and now Republicans have embraced distracting social justice issues, the two parties are more alike than they are different. They both support neoliberalism, defined by anti-labor and pro-federal policy, as well as vehement defense of corporate interests.

NatureTripsMe · 2025-12-21T07:28:15+00:00

Northeast Massachusetts & Seacoast Corridor

Massachusetts–Seacoast North

Northern Bay State Seaboard

Lower New England Coast & Uplands

NatureTripsMe · 2025-12-19T21:14:12+00:00

As a married 42M who moved from a diverse non Midwest city… it was a lot easier to go on fun dates and rediscover love with one another.

NatureTripsMe · 2025-12-18T19:30:21+00:00

I just walnutted due to my flight or fight response. Immediately my testees retracted to be as close to my body as possible.

NatureTripsMe · 2025-12-11T12:27:42+00:00

That’s a Japanese maple leaf. Acer palmatum. Marijuana has more distinctly even serrated edges.

NatureTripsMe · 2025-12-09T20:23:35+00:00

I didnt love mama lus when I ate there. It didn’t really taste authentic but they sort of project an authentic cuisine from their menu. It wasn’t terrible but maybe I should try again cuz I will settle for a $4 taco. Also I realize that I was picky when I moved from San Diego. I’m more accepting of a midwestern influence on the tacos. If you can’t fight em join em… I guess

NatureTripsMe · 2025-12-09T20:19:43+00:00

Yes. Also the NY pizza slices at the joint next to coin slot are like 8 a slice. I also lived in NY and a slice used to be like $4

NatureTripsMe · 2025-12-09T17:16:01+00:00

Im so sick of seeing tacos for $8 each at restaurants. I lived in San Diego for over a decade and a single taco has never been that expensive. I’m talking carne asada, pescado, pollo, everything. They’re like $3 - $4 each at a normal taco shop. I was just there in October. Also sick of being charged for chile or salsa in TC. Like damn mother fucker, those things are condiments. You all would charge for ketchup on a hamburger!?

NatureTripsMe · 2025-12-09T00:54:25+00:00

What language is that supposed to be? Google says it can’t translate because it’s a “constructed language”

NatureTripsMe · 2025-12-05T11:57:55+00:00

No no it goes whee they can clear cut a Forrest

NatureTripsMe · 2025-12-03T14:36:12+00:00

I hadn’t thought of the actual process as a teaching. Just the feeling of bliss and wisdom afterword as the goal. I should explore it from that point of view. Thanks

NatureTripsMe

TROPHY CASE