Cliff Lockpicks

Funds + RFQ
over 7 years ago – Tue, May 16, 2017 at 11:29:59 PM

The short info:
The funds have arrived.I put in an RFQ for the metal. 

The long info:I don't know how much info you guys want so I figure I will give you all the info I can as I get it. You may learn something about manufacturing while I am at it ;)

I received the funds today and put in an RFQ. That is a Request For Quote from the metal company. They will take the measurements I described and return a quote based on that. I got a quote for the amount awhile back (when pricing stuff, before I ordered the sample) but Quotes expire after awhile so I needed a new one.

This process can be as fast as 1 business day... or a few weeks depending on how quick the company is. In this case, I was emailing the same person I worked with before directly, so I don't have to go through any sales rep first, they should be able to pull my info and get me a quote quickly.

The next step is to agree to the quote and then it gets tricky.
For purchasing the metal, I pay first and receive the metal. 
For having the metal cut, they cut the metal, then I pay (plus I already have a quote that is good till Jan/18 for the cutting so we don't have to do this part again).
There are several payment schemes out there but its all pretty straight forward and easily googlable, if anyone is looking at producing something, don't let this stuff scare you.

I also sent backerkit an email asking them now they want me to pay the money we discussed in a previous update. You can expect the survey to come out in the next couple weeks (I still have to make it, after getting access) :)

I hope to be as informative as possible and keep you all up to date. I fear some times I will update almost daily while others it might be every other week... but that's just how it goes I guess.

I hope you all are well, if you have any questions or concerns please don't hesitate to ask.

Nothing to report
over 7 years ago – Sat, May 13, 2017 at 11:32:25 AM

Its been awhile with no updates, but there is nothing to say.

I am still waiting on the funds... I have ordered 3 different types of finishing media, but none have arrived. I will begin testing which finishes better (and faster) as soon as they arrive.

I am fairly out of money so I cannot purchase anything else until the Kickstarter money arrives. But that should be early next week at the latest.

My cats are enjoying the packaging boxes... They will be grumpy when I have to open them and use the copious amounts of bubble wrap envelopes. Of course they will probably enjoy that process... until I recycle the empty boxes. 

I have decided to use backerkit, which charges 2% of the kickstarter + 5% of whatever they sell on there + $99 setup fee ... which is cheap, why it is not listed on their site I will never know because it is a reasonable offer. I must pay the 2% + $99 up front (around $300) so I will get started on the survey after the funds arrive.

The survey will have a late pledgers option, aswell as upgrades and addons, so you will be able to get exactly what you want.

I am also considering a 'surprise me' or 'you choose' pick that you can select and I will choose a pick that suits your set (or you can leave comments to describe what you prefer or your skills and I will do my best to accommodate). You could select your entire set that way if you have little preference or experience.
Let me know what you think about that idea.

I hope everyone is doing well and my next update should say the metal has been ordered :)

Packaging has arrived
over 7 years ago – Wed, May 03, 2017 at 08:36:43 PM

 The packaging has arrived, 300 bubble wrap envelopes and 100 cases.

I preemptively ordered this, I have not received money from the campaign yet.

Speaking of the campaign money, there are about 10 backers who have payment errors. Please log into your kickstarter and clear these up so they can process all the payments as fast as possible.

On the pledge surveys, It will be some time before they are sent out. I would like to write a page where you go and list what you want, the page would know what you get (for your pledge) and would allow you to add more picks, the case, or tensors on as well as charge for shipping, but then I would have to individually invoice all of you... not ideal.
I may use something like backerkit, but I don't like being charged for stuff I can do myself, so its undecided.

Shipping:
Shipping will be a flat $6 for everyone, this is a little high for Americans, but that cost will subsidies the foreign orders. The way i figure it, the extra $2 is not much to any one person, but the $30+ to a foreign backer would be quite a bit.

If anyone has issues with this, feel free to message me.

AAAAND... DONE!
over 7 years ago – Wed, May 03, 2017 at 01:57:24 PM

Woo! we have done it. You and 199 others have completely funded this campaign nearly 300%. 

I am overwhelmed by the support, thank you all soooo much.

on a more productive note:
I have the quote for the picks in my inbox,
The cases are in the mail,
and new finishing media is on the way.

Thank you again for being part of this campaign and I hope you enjoy this hobby as much as I have.

24 hours left
over 7 years ago – Mon, May 01, 2017 at 01:28:54 PM

Actually only 20 because I missed the mark. Sorry.

I wamted to express my deepest grattitude for all the support you have given me. I look forward to making all these picks and getting em shipped out to you.

On the finishing process, I know 2 things,

1) I need small deramic media (not the big stuff I have)
2) I need ceramic or metal, not clay (like I tried)

I will keep you all informed as I order amd try different things. My big issue is, I am running out of unfinished samples :(

Worst case senario is, I have to finish them by hand... which is not a terrably big deal, Ill get some help and have a sanding party or something.