Author Topic: Coming to the keyboard community as a maker  (Read 827 times)

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Offline notsus

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  • Location: Central Valley, CA
Coming to the keyboard community as a maker
« on: Fri, 10 July 2026, 19:18:44 »
Hello!

I am new here, but been lurking around other keyboard communities for a bit. I'm a former software engineer, semi-retired and created my own CNC machine shop building some of my own products and what not.. Having been an artisanal software developer, have long viewed the keyboard as one of my most valued tools and used one of the Jeff Atwood / WASD Code Keyboards for nearly 10 years.

Recently have started getting into making my own keyboards, leveraging my shop and all. I've been in the EDC space for a while, with a lot of knife/pen/fidget spiner guys making and selling their own stuff, but noticed not as many people do that in the keyboard space. I'm making some of my own, but in my own businesses not really a fan of the pre-order approach. When I get money from someone, I want to be shipping to them within hours to days, not months.

Anyone else do more of like a small batch production, where they're regularly producing and posting them in waves rather than a bigger one time only group buy?

Offline PandaKB

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    • PandaKB
Re: Coming to the keyboard community as a maker
« Reply #1 on: Mon, 13 July 2026, 05:16:23 »
Welcome to the forum! Honestly, having your own CNC shop is an absolute dream for anyone in the keyboard hobby.

I couldn't agree more with your stance on group buys. The current GB model introduces way too much uncertainty, long waiting periods, and anxiety. As a buyer, I much prefer the In-stock (现货) or small-batch approach. There’s nothing better than paying for a premium tool and having it shipped within days.

Offline Findecanor

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  • Location: Stockholm
Re: Coming to the keyboard community as a maker
« Reply #2 on: Mon, 13 July 2026, 05:39:26 »
Cool. Welcome!  I once upon a time too came into mechanical keyboards from being a "maker" of sorts, seeking ways to build my own and customise them, but for me a CNC shop is more like a dream.
🍉 "Ceterum censeo Microslop esse delendam" 🍉