[IC] $0.40 Cherry MX Blue

[MOZ]

It isn't a mystery how cheap the TVS Gold is, it is built absolutely crap, but for less than $35, what can you expect? Well you can get 104 Cherry MX Blues.

So, are there any takers, I am contemplating doing a GB for the boards and using an American Proxy, TheFlyingRaccoon, who will supply the switches.

[IvanIvanovich]

Might as well throw down, can always use switches.

[TheFlyingRaccoon]

What Moz and I were planning to do is for him to send me 20 TVS Gold boards. I could desolder all the switches and we should have 2080 Cherry blue switches. Then I can ship the switches to everyone. Cost per switch would be $0.40 to cover shipping from India to US for all the boards.

[TLSC.wipeOut]

very interested in this. Also is it possible to do the same for other switch types? like cherry mx browns?

[MOZ]

very interested in this. Also is it possible to do the same for other switch types? like cherry mx browns?

Unfortunately not it won't be possible, as TVS GOLD only sells in Blue.

[divito]

Definitely interested.

[TLSC.wipeOut]

very interested in this. Also is it possible to do the same for other switch types? like cherry mx browns?

Unfortunately not it won't be possible, as TVS GOLD only sells in Blue.

ah ic, still interested tho =)

[IvanIvanovich]

Can I just get the whole TVS?

[lcs]

Can I just get the whole TVS?

+1

[TheFlyingRaccoon]

Can I just get the whole TVS?

Yea this could be an option but shipping would be $15.30 via USPS gameboard box. It would be cheaper for me to desolder the switches for you and ship them in a bubble mailer or small box.

[Dubsgalore]

im in doe

[IvanIvanovich]

Could send it in it's packaging box for all I would care, should be like $9. Gameboard box is overpriced from straight priority for anything under 5lbs.

[Wildcard]

Just curious what year these boards have. I might also be interested.

[whiskytango]

yeah, sure, why not. I will need some more blues anyway. That's a lot of work for TheFlyingRaccoon though.

I have a Hakko 808, so let me know if you want to split up the desoldering duties. I would be willing to help out with some of it, but it might not be feasible to do separate shipments.

[TheFlyingRaccoon]

yeah, sure, why not. I will need some more blues anyway. That's a lot of work for TheFlyingRaccoon though.

I have a Hakko 808, so let me know if you want to split up the desoldering duties. I would be willing to help out with some of it, but it might not be feasible to do separate shipments.

Hey desoldering 2080 switches isn't that bad. Moz could send some of the boards to you to desolder but then you would have to ship the switches too. If you would be up for desoldering and shipping I could use the help!

[ComradeSniper]

Probably in.

[whiskytango]

Lol, even with good tools, it's a lot of switches. I would be happy to help though. But like I said, I guess it depends also on whether it is economical to ship the boards to two addresses.

If we get enough interest in this and you want me to help out, just let me know. I don't have a problem shipping either.

[gnubag]

those are new switches right? (of course desoldered but not used)
plate/pcb mount?

definetly interrested for the $.4 with included shipping (i assume that there is a minimum count to buy)

[ImaMoFoThief]

i could use some different switches for my QFR

[agodinhost]

this price is awesome.
Any idea when we will be able to get it?
I'm interested anyway.

[CalmB4tehPwn]

I'd be in for anything but blues.

Good luck, guys!

[BunnyLake]

im in

[MOZ]

those are new switches right? (of course desoldered but not used)
plate/pcb mount?

definetly interrested for the $.4 with included shipping (i assume that there is a minimum count to buy)

Yes, They will be harvested form brand new keyboards, unused.

Plate mounted.

[CalmB4tehPwn]

Isn't it sick that the cheapest option for getting switches is by purchasing brand new keyboards, shipping them half way across the world, paying for someone's time to cannibalize them, and them shipping them to individuals?

I mean. Think of how much money somebody in the world is making just passing MX switches from one hand to the next.

Where is 7bit sourcing his? Not directly from Cherry, I assume. Not if there's a discrepancy like this in cost.

[MOZ]

Isn't it sick that the cheapest option for getting switches is by purchasing brand new keyboards, shipping them half way across the world, paying for someone's time to cannibalize them, and them shipping them to individuals?

I mean. Think of how much money somebody in the world is making just passing MX switches from one hand to the next.

Where is 7bit sourcing his? Not directly from Cherry, I assume. Not if there's a discrepancy like this in cost.

The problem from what I understand is that Cherry have a very high MOQ, and it is known that the TVS-e Gold which is now acquired by the parent company of Cherry (ZF Electronics) is the major consumer of Cherry MX Blue, and also since it is an in-house affair, they get it at the cheapest rates possible. As for the TVS-e GOLD keyboard itself, once you get hold of it, you realize that maximum cost of the keyboard is for the switches. They don't even use proper stabs. What they have are notches in the plastic mounting plate for the stab wires to lock into.

[BliTzKiN]

Pity these only come in blues, I would have been interested in reds if they were available. Good luck with this though!

[pixel5]

If these can truly be had for $0.40 shipped to me, then I'm interested. I would prefer reds or even blacks, but I don't think they are available at such a price.

If we start adding in fees for desoldering, paypal, shipping, it starts to get to the point where you may as well order from 7bit. I think the better option might be seeing if we can work directly with someone overseas to have the entire keyboard shipped to us cheaply.

By the time this is over, I'm afraid the final price will be more like $0.60-$0.65 each. And that would be for desoldered switches, rather than clean ones. Plus we'd be waiting forever because of the desoldering process. I know I sound like a huge pessimist right now, but I'm just being realistic. It might not be worth it.

[SeriouSSpotS]

Price is good

[SpAmRaY]

Not to derail your guys efforts or anything but there are some blue switches here as well

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=48343.0

[MOZ]

If these can truly be had for $0.40 shipped to me, then I'm interested. I would prefer reds or even blacks, but I don't think they are available at such a price.

If we start adding in fees for desoldering, paypal, shipping, it starts to get to the point where you may as well order from 7bit. I think the better option might be seeing if we can work directly with someone overseas to have the entire keyboard shipped to us cheaply.

By the time this is over, I'm afraid the final price will be more like $0.60-$0.65 each. And that would be for desoldered switches, rather than clean ones. Plus we'd be waiting forever because of the desoldering process. I know I sound like a huge pessimist right now, but I'm just being realistic. It might not be worth it.

$0.40 is going to be the price after desoldering, so the only costs above this would be shipping and paypal, which you would pay for 7bit as well. In the end it will cost you about $0.20 less per switch.

[Hellmark]

I'd be interested in some.

[agodinhost]

Isn't it sick that the cheapest option for getting switches is by purchasing brand new keyboards, shipping them half way across the world, paying for someone's time to cannibalize them, and them shipping them to individuals?

I mean. Think of how much money somebody in the world is making just passing MX switches from one hand to the next.

Where is 7bit sourcing his? Not directly from Cherry, I assume. Not if there's a discrepancy like this in cost.

You could get then at alibaba but the MOQ is still very high.
I saw a few guys there selling a batch with 50k switches ...
This is way too much and it would make it a problem at any customs office.

I searched for alternatives, I did it for a long time and I'm not surprised by this canibalization approuch.
Some time ago I bought 12 wise keyboards to do the same thing.

[Tym]

50,000 switches divvied up at say 110 each is 450 people, thats high but not mental. Although some large-ish figures being throw around say (don't know what they cost)

50,000 x $.40 = 20000

I'm sure thats less than the Round4 GB

Also many people will pick up more than 110 keys, I'd imagine people would take more like 200-300 each. I would.

So unless I've mega-ly screwed up, this doesn't seem to far out of the realms of possibility.

[pixel5]

50,000 switches divvied up at say 110 each is 450 people, thats high but not mental. Although some large-ish figures being throw around say (don't know what they cost)

50,000 x $.40 = 20000

I'm sure thats less than the Round4 GB

Also many people will pick up more than 110 keys, I'd imagine people would take more like 200-300 each. I would.

So unless I've mega-ly screwed up, this doesn't seem to far out of the realms of possibility.

Throw in the possibility of switches other than blue and you'll get more buyers.

[agodinhost]

50,000 switches divvied up at say 110 each is 450 people, thats high but not mental. Although some large-ish figures being throw around say (don't know what they cost)

50,000 x $.40 = 20000

I'm sure thats less than the Round4 GB

Also many people will pick up more than 110 keys, I'd imagine people would take more like 200-300 each. I would.

So unless I've mega-ly screwed up, this doesn't seem to far out of the realms of possibility.

These numbers are quite good indeed, but it was 50k per color.
Let me do a quote at alibaba, I need to make contact with the guy again - it was something like 6 months ago. Remember, however, that we will have to deal with customs yet - we are above the free limit allowed per law and we will have to pay some importation taxes.

[agodinhost]

I was wrong, the MOQ is 20k and not 50k as I mentioned before.
 
This is what I have at my alibaba email box:

---------------------------------------------------
Hi Anaximandro Godinho,
This is Ida from Oriental Components Limited.
I hope you would​ not miss below important price.
 

We just sold 20000 pcs to one of our regular customers.
Wish the quotation is also workable for you.

-------------------------------------------------------

Item:Keyboard Switch​
PN:MX1A-11NW
Quantity:20000pcs
Unit​ Price:$0.20/piece
Condition: Original and Brand​ New
​Lead Time:Stock
Payment: Paypal, TT, Western Union
Shipping Method: DHL,Fed EX,TNT,EMS

覧覧覧覧覧覧覧覧覧

Whether price is​ ok or not or need price​ for 500pcs,
could you please kindly tell me your comment by return,
so I can step to caculate the shipping cost and let you know.

​​Thanks​ and Regards,
Ida Huang
Oriental Components Limited
​
SKYPE: sales00051
MSN: sales002-oric@hotmail.com
​
Tel: +86-0755-82983540

--------------------------------------------

I'm kinda new to alibaba - I never did business there and I don't know this guy.
Anyone in China or anyone whom speak or read/write mandarim?
8-))

[SpAmRaY]

I would be very cautious of 'fake' knockoff switches

[agodinhost]

I would be very cautious of 'fake' knockoff switches

Yup, that's why I didn't closed the deal.
We need someone in China to get and see these little 'details' !

It seems way too good to be real anyway.
.20 per switch?
GOSH!

[TheFlyingRaccoon]

I would be very cautious of 'fake' knockoff switches

Yup, that's why I didn't closed the deal.
We need someone in China to get and see these little 'details' !

It seems way too good to be real anyway.
.20 per switch?
GOSH!

Yes, this sounds like a much better option than harvesting switches. However you would have to make sure they aren't knockoffs like Ray mentioned.

[MKULTRA]

I'd be in.  Always need some switches.

[IvanIvanovich]

As far as I understand how ali works, is the payment is held in escrow by ali until you recieve the goods and declare them satisfactory, then the seller is paid. So, theoretically if that's true and they sent fakes all you would have to do is not accept them and get your money released back to you. I don't think the $.20/switch cost is too good to be true considering the amount on a wholesale deal.

[Tym]

last time I used Ali it was nothing like that, more like craigs-list. They pay to advertise, you email asking for more specific price including shipping you pay they ship.

Id ask for some test sets first (forgotten the proper word here)

IMO nothing wrong with fakes aslong as they do the job?

Also alibaba has gone more legit lately, cutting offthousands of fake listings

[pixel5]

IMO nothing wrong with fakes aslong as they do the job?

A fake is a fake. No matter which way you look at it.

[IvanIvanovich]

Perhaps the seller has to agree to that, but it does exist escrow. If I were dealing with ali sellers I would insist upon it or not deal. If they are legit I could hardly see any good reasons to decline that payment method.

[Tym]

IMO nothing wrong with fakes aslong as they do the job?

A fake is a fake. No matter which way you look at it.

Not disagreeing with you, but if it does the job.

[audukent]

Im in

[tinlong117]

I would be very cautious of 'fake' knockoff switches

Yup, that's why I didn't closed the deal.
We need someone in China to get and see these little 'details' !

It seems way too good to be real anyway.
.20 per switch?
GOSH!

I was wrong, the MOQ is 20k and not 50k as I mentioned before.
 
This is what I have at my alibaba email box:

---------------------------------------------------
Hi Anaximandro Godinho,
This is Ida from Oriental Components Limited.
I hope you would​ not miss below important price.
 

We just sold 20000 pcs to one of our regular customers.
Wish the quotation is also workable for you.

-------------------------------------------------------

Item:Keyboard Switch​
PN:MX1A-11NW
Quantity:20000pcs
Unit​ Price:$0.20/piece
Condition: Original and Brand​ New
​Lead Time:Stock
Payment: Paypal, TT, Western Union
Shipping Method: DHL,Fed EX,TNT,EMS

覧覧覧覧覧覧覧覧覧

Whether price is​ ok or not or need price​ for 500pcs,
could you please kindly tell me your comment by return,
so I can step to caculate the shipping cost and let you know.

​​Thanks​ and Regards,
Ida Huang
Oriental Components Limited
​
SKYPE: sales00051
MSN: sales002-oric@hotmail.com
​
Tel: +86-0755-82983540

--------------------------------------------

I'm kinda new to alibaba - I never did business there and I don't know this guy.
Anyone in China or anyone whom speak or read/write mandarim?
8-))

I can read and write Chinese and I'm a Chinese.

[tinlong117]

I would be very cautious of 'fake' knockoff switches

They are legit switches. But you might ask, oh why they so cheap? Because he/we is/are going to buy a big lot of switches. Hence, the price become cheap.

P.S. qfr is selling for $65 and sometimes $55, price of each switch is something like $0,51-$0,58. So, Let me do a quick breakdown (estimate).

Cost of switches (0.2*87)=17.4 USD
Cost of PCB=4 USD
Cost of the housing=4 USD
Cost of the steel plate= 5 USD
Cost of labour=2 USD
Shipping from factory to distributor=6 USD
"Profit" of big distributor to small shops/etc=5 USD or more
And profit from shops to end-user=11.6 USD (assume the price is $55)

[pixel5]

$0.20 switches sounds sweeeeeet. I want reds though. I mean, if blues are our only option, I'll take it, but if we can mix & match that would be splendid.

I'd be in for at least 100. Maybe 200-300 if we can get multiple kinds.

[AKmalamute]

I'd probably be interested ... but not in enough for a whole board ... just the modifier keys, probably. Ten to twenty switches, unless I'm feeling flush with cash at the time the GB happens ... in which case, yeah eighty or so blues could be nice.

I'd rather make a kbd out of clears, but a backup / carry-around 60% style, all in clicky blues could be interesting.