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geekhack Marketplace => Interest Checks => Topic started by: Ustinj on Thu, 17 March 2022, 01:34:19

Title: [IC] Play Tray | GB Completed
Post by: Ustinj on Thu, 17 March 2022, 01:34:19
PLAY TRAY

Hello folks... this is a small side project I've been working on in collaboration with my partner shannie.

This is an interest check for PLAY TRAY - it's a CNC'd aluminum tray that will sit nicely on the desk, complete with a cute cat engraving by shannie (who also helped out with Cloudline and designed various deskmats that you've probably seen in group buy). I was a bit hesitant to share this since it's not exactly a keyboard (I have some of those coming, trust). Nonetheless, I would really like to gauge some potential interest for this item as I have absolutely no idea what the demand may be, which is an essential metric to determining pricing and MOQ.

Please fill out the super quick IC form if this project interests you - It'll help determine MOQ / pricing: https://forms.gle/cFPvu6Z6wUWXD5heA


Why?

The inspiration for this design comes from a few things. A cat toy, various screw trays seen in the keyboard community, and the Rotor by Densus Designs (another keyboard here on Geekhack!). I also think it would be nice to have something slightly interactive on the desk. For those who prefer to use $5 trays from Amazon, that's totally 100% fine - until now, I've been using $3 metal bowls from Aliexpress, so I get where you're coming from. That being said, we could also be using the cheapest MX keyboards available, yet we dish out a premium for some nicer boards. This tray hopes to be just a little heftier, a little cuter, and a little more fun.

(https://i.imgur.com/U6ppFes.png)


Group Buy Info

June 1st - June 14th Group Buy has closed :-)

(See your respective vendors for exact timing).

Estimated shipping is late Q3 to Q4 2022.

Vendors

Soft capped, likely won't have to worry about nearing any limit


Details

Tray Information


Available Options


The super cute cat engraving is the awesome work of @shannie.hoa. I'm excited, as the actual engravings look even better than the renders. The project will be available for group buy at the above vendors between June 1st - June 14th - I really enjoy the process of fulfillment and feeling closely involved with my projects. As a result, there will be an undisclosed, soft unit cap to ensure timely fulfillment (it's very comfortable and should be more than enough).

Questions & Answers

Q: Why is it so expensive?
A: Blank material required is taller than most trays, custom feet, magnets, and custom packaging (was to simplify fulfillment across vendors) contribute to the cost - but mostly, I don't own the manufacturing.

Q: Why isn't X color offered?
A: Wanting to simplify SKUs.

Q: Why is the plain version offered only in one color?
A: Decided to offer a plain version at high request. Makes sense, if you have a more sleek / 'serious' setup. The cat engraving is fun - if you don't want the cat, then you get the least 'fun' color. Also wanting to minimize SKUs.


Renders / Media

(https://i.imgur.com/OSZD5aP.png) (https://i.imgur.com/mg1qps6.png) (https://i.imgur.com/mEH97QK.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/buyPx0K.png) (https://i.imgur.com/Atd2FMf.png) (https://i.imgur.com/jv5c6wT.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/U8VzzM7.png) (https://i.imgur.com/Yyx8min.png)



Links

Website: https://jjwkb.com/
Discord: https://discord.gg/XPEFcn8
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jjw_kb/
Shannie's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannie.hoa/

Title: Re: [IC] Play Tray | A screw tray to play
Post by: wencan008 on Thu, 17 March 2022, 01:41:08
Love this tray, can't wait for it
Title: Re: [IC] Play Tray | A screw tray to play
Post by: ankit on Thu, 17 March 2022, 01:41:38
another banger.
Title: Re: [IC] Play Tray | A screw tray to play
Post by: Malvix Studio on Thu, 17 March 2022, 04:08:51
I need a black one of these to match my black kitty. Would love to see it happen!
Title: Re: [IC] Play Tray | A screw tray to play
Post by: o3okevin on Thu, 17 March 2022, 08:30:45
Easy day 1 cop
Title: Re: [IC] Play Tray | A screw tray to play
Post by: gotgoodiez on Thu, 17 March 2022, 10:13:52
Easy buy. Would like to see at least one neutral color though!
Title: Re: [IC] Play Tray | A screw tray to play
Post by: alwaysbless on Thu, 17 March 2022, 11:40:46
Should offer an option without that cat too
Title: Re: [IC] Play Tray | A screw tray to play
Post by: andromache on Thu, 17 March 2022, 12:11:05
I will die for this in any color, but ESPECIALLY pink and/or orange!!! (orange kitty <33333)

Great work by Shannie as well!!!!
Title: Re: [IC] Play Tray | A screw tray to play
Post by: adi on Thu, 17 March 2022, 16:59:01
Love it. Two things, one, is the ball bearing inset in such a way that it doesn't fall out easily? Or does it just rest on top of the rails and spin and you can pull it off? Secondly, would love to see more cat-like colors so we can match with our kitties, black, grey, orange white blah blah
Title: Re: [IC] Play Tray | A screw tray to play
Post by: Sandy on Thu, 17 March 2022, 17:43:32
This is so cute!
Title: Re: [IC] Play Tray | A screw tray to play
Post by: Nurseh on Fri, 18 March 2022, 11:50:24
Great idea!
Title: Re: [IC] Play Tray | A screw tray to play
Post by: spedywin on Sat, 19 March 2022, 01:45:27
quite nice, thanks for this
Title: Re: [IC] Play Tray | A screw tray to play
Post by: JustMilica on Sat, 19 March 2022, 11:51:21
This is adorable, silver or lavender color would be insta-buy for me 🥺
Title: Re: [IC] Play Tray | A screw tray to play
Post by: baka jiken on Sat, 19 March 2022, 13:14:30
Lets goo! Day 1 cop
Title: Re: [IC] Play Tray | A screw tray to play
Post by: Ustinj on Sat, 19 March 2022, 15:42:35
Thanks folks for filling out the IC.

From IC feedback and personal decision, I am likely going to:

- add silver (and possibly black) as an option
- provide an option for those who want a simpler, more minimal design (engraving-wise)
- increase the outer wall height to 50% of the height of the bearing

Thanks
Title: Re: [IC] Play Tray | A screw tray to play
Post by: dRnRcRr on Sun, 20 March 2022, 14:35:29
Super nice as always

Sent from my SM-S908W using Tapatalk

Title: Re: [IC] Play Tray | A screw tray to play
Post by: VaporKeebs on Sun, 20 March 2022, 19:05:54
I will likely grab one of these... a no engraving option would be great for those who would want to add an engraving later.
Title: Re: [IC] Play Tray | A screw tray to play
Post by: andromache on Mon, 21 March 2022, 14:58:25
Disappointed that there will be a version without the engraving / with a "simpler" engraving offered. IMO, the cat engraving is super cute and special and ties in the overall "play tray" design with the cat toy theme. Figures something wonderfully cute and unique gets designed and inevitably winds up with a watered down "minimalist" version instead of remaining true to the artists' original vision.
Title: Re: [IC] Play Tray | A screw tray to play
Post by: rodok on Tue, 22 March 2022, 04:30:34
Really digging the cutesy style, sign me up!
If you can actually stay around the 55 USD mark, it would be instant steal.

(good luck with IC/GB)
Title: Re: [IC] Play Tray | A screw tray to play
Post by: Nonnegaard on Tue, 22 March 2022, 07:24:32
this is lovely. very lighthearted design, which i like. i love me some sophistication, but this hobby can get very serious, very quickly.
Title: Re: [IC] Play Tray | A screw tray to play
Post by: Ustinj on Fri, 25 March 2022, 16:09:04

A demo. Things that will 100% be changed / modified:


Also would like to announce some newly-added regional vendors for this fun little project.


Thanks!
Title: Re: [IC] Play Tray | Demo, Regional Vendors
Post by: 。 on Tue, 26 April 2022, 12:04:38
It's cute and designed!Everybody loves cute cats！
Title: Re: [IC] Play Tray | Demo, Regional Vendors
Post by: a-jih on Tue, 26 April 2022, 18:20:21
Additional sizes so we can stack them to actually create a tower like your photo??

Jokes aside, absolutely love this! ^^
Title: Re: [IC] Play Tray | Demo, Regional Vendors
Post by: floatingnimbus on Sun, 08 May 2022, 21:31:53
excited for this!!!
Title: Re: [IC] Play Tray | Demo, Regional Vendors
Post by: EdgeOfInfinity on Wed, 11 May 2022, 13:59:56
love the design! don't need another alum tray but depending on color options... heh
Title: Re: [IC] Play Tray | Demo, Regional Vendors
Post by: Ustinj on Fri, 20 May 2022, 19:12:39
Group buy information is in... Play Tray's group buy information is now up on the main post! Added some more, accurate renders of the available options, as well as a highly-requested un-engraved option for those who want to add a tray to their more boring 'serious' setup.

Some vendors haven't finalized pricing yet, but will be added shortly.

June 1st - June 14th

Estimated shipping is late Q3 / Q4 2022.

Vendors

Available Options


(https://i.imgur.com/OSZD5aP.png) (https://i.imgur.com/mg1qps6.png) (https://i.imgur.com/mEH97QK.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/buyPx0K.png) (https://i.imgur.com/Atd2FMf.png) (https://i.imgur.com/jv5c6wT.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/U8VzzM7.png) (https://i.imgur.com/Yyx8min.png)

Title: Re: [IC] Play Tray | Plain option, More colors, Pricing, GB Date June 1st!
Post by: CookieFlow on Fri, 20 May 2022, 20:01:12
This is totally useless but I love it
Take my money
Title: Re: [IC] Play Tray | Plain option, More colors, Pricing, GB Date June 1st!
Post by: wigol2506 on Fri, 20 May 2022, 20:32:32
Very cute, fitting name to the theme as play.

Don't need this but I want it  :p
Title: Re: [IC] Play Tray | Plain option, More colors, Pricing, GB Date June 1st!
Post by: CookieFlow on Mon, 23 May 2022, 15:41:07
Could you add the option to buy extra balls? Maybe in different colors?
Title: Re: [IC] Play Tray | Plain option, More colors, Pricing, GB Date June 1st!
Post by: KBKlon on Fri, 27 May 2022, 06:47:29
Wow, is the metal ball included??

Could you bring this to iLumKB vendor?
Title: Re: [IC] Play Tray | Plain option, More colors, Pricing, GB Date June 1st!
Post by: Ustinj on Fri, 27 May 2022, 13:43:22
Quote from: CookieFlow on Mon, 23 May 2022, 15:41:07
Could you add the option to buy extra balls? Maybe in different colors?

Option for extra balls will be available, but not in different colors since it's a pretty standard 14mm stainless steel bearing. Due to the way pricing scales though, if you're willing to buy an unnecessary amount of balls (20+), you might be able to get them for less elsewhere.

Quote from: KBKlon on Fri, 27 May 2022, 06:47:29
Wow, is the metal ball included??

Could you bring this to iLumKB vendor?

Yes, the metal ball is included - it's a standard 14mm steel bearing. The vendors for Asia are Hex Keyboards & Swagkeys!
Title: Re: [IC] Play Tray | Plain option, More colors, Pricing, GB Date June 1st!
Post by: Ustinj on Tue, 31 May 2022, 14:33:53
This project is going live for GB tomorrow! For US (jjwkb.com), page will go live at 7:00 AM PDT, June 1st. See your respective vendors for exact timing - but the project is soft capped / unlimited, so don't need to rush.


In the meantime, I'm doing a giveaway for a spot and a prototype here: https://www.instagram.com/p/CeOx7vqrHmX/

Title: Re: [IC] Play Tray | GB tomorrow, June 1st - June 14th.
Post by: KBKlon on Wed, 01 June 2022, 05:25:37
Got in on the GB!

Can't wait for the finished product!
Title: Re: [IC] Play Tray | GB tomorrow, June 1st - June 14th.
Post by: adi518 on Wed, 01 June 2022, 17:04:25
I thought of getting one, but none of the vendors or the main site offers feasible shipping costs.
Title: Re: [IC] Play Tray | GB tomorrow, June 1st - June 14th.
Post by: Mcnos on Wed, 01 June 2022, 17:36:04
need
Title: Re: [IC] Play Tray | GB Completed
Post by: efikeebs on Thu, 21 July 2022, 19:05:14
Hope to get mine soon!  :-*