Quick update.
I finally got around to building up the prototype PCB last weekend, everything works as expected so I'm happy with that.
I heard back very promptly from JLCPCB about the manu issues with the USB-C drill holes. They have assured me that there's nothing wrong with my gerbers and that they will instruct the fabs to be more careful. They also offered to re-fab them for me, but they are just prototypes and I only need one that works, not 5.
Let's talk MCUs. The Lumberjack uses the Atmega328p DIP package MCU, a not very common chip these days, mostly used in Arduino kits. As you are probably aware, there is a global chip shortage at the moment due to all the crap going on in the world. This has led initially to the price of MCUs going up x3 and to them being out of stock and not to be restocked until 2023. To counter this, I have preemptively grabbed 50 chips before the prices started to rise and have now found a local supplier (Germany) who while being more expensive I should be able to get chips from unless they sell out. Chips will be ordered before invoicing so as to ensure I have supply before promising kits.
Group buy will run for two weeks. I will ping the mailing list when it goes live, but if you are here reading this then you will see it on GH anyway.
