Susuwatari dev log

Posted on 2019, February 8 in Updates

It has been a while since the last update on the Susuwatari keyset. The drop for the double-shot MT3 profile set ended few months ago and development is proceeding at a slow but constant pace. It is incredible the amount of work needed to design a brand new double-shot set.

Few weeks ago I received the first color samples. As expected we are not there yet, but we are very close. I’ve already sent my report to the manufacturer and I’m confident that the next samples will be right on spot.

Few days ago I’ve also got the first double shot samples. I’ll be frank, I was expecting more tests to be made at this stage. I received just a few legends, but anyway they are good enough to be cautiously positive that everything will proceed as expected. From the picture above you can see a rather complicated legend injected with unexpected craftsmanship.

What next? I’m working on updated legends following this first round of prototypes to further optimize the injection process and I hope to get a more complete set in the coming weeks. Chinese New Year holidays put a stop to the production for a few weeks and we should be back in the game in a few days.

Sorry I can’t show you more at this time, but I hope to be able to reveal a final-ish product in a month from now.

Comments

Posted by Dana on 2019, February 8 @ 16:14

Hooray, an update! Does this mean the moulds/dies are nearing completion? Out of curiosity, how many are there for the set?

That example does look extremely crisp! Thanks for putting in all the work you do to make this happen.
1. Posted by matt3o on 2019, February 11 @ 23:22
  
  there are roughly 250 unique molds to be made… a lot of work indeed!
Posted by Dmytro Popov on 2019, February 16 @ 13:34

Is it too late to ask for arrow keys with texts “UP”, “DOWN”, “LEFT”, “RIGHT”?
1. Posted by matt3o on 2019, February 18 @ 19:46
  
  definitely too late to make changes now :)
Posted by Ryan on 2019, February 25 @ 05:54

I just leaned about the mt3 profile at my first mechanical keyboard meetup this weekend. Is there any way to join the group buy late?

Thanks!
1. Posted by matt3o on 2019, February 27 @ 16:36
  
  nope, sorry, but we will run more in the future
  1. Posted by Anonymous on 2019, March 1 @ 01:55
    
    Can’t wait to see it!
Posted by Enrique Aliaga on 2019, February 25 @ 07:48

Is there any chance of getting a re-run of the “Retro” color scheme (based on Commodore 64 keyboards) on the MT3 profile, now that double-shot ABS is a possibility?

I know I – and many others – would join without thinking twice!
1. Posted by Anonymous on 2019, February 25 @ 12:01
  
  +1. Actually I’ll order 2 sets, so +2
2. Posted by matt3o on 2019, February 27 @ 16:36
  
  SA Retro will come back eventually (hopefully this year)
Posted by Israel Diaz on 2019, April 8 @ 19:03

Two months since this post. Hope well hear something soon !
I got a question: In Massdrop I don’t see the ‘Sudo make me coffee’ keycap. Will that be available in the “Extras” set on the final run? Thanks !
Posted by Andrew T on 2019, April 9 @ 00:53

I would love to get in on this one. Hope there’s a second run.
Posted by JS on 2019, May 9 @ 06:11

Hey there, I was hoping we could get an update on this set. People are getting rather impatient with the lack of news from Drop in the discussion section, so it’d be great just to get something, even a “it’s not ready” would be way cooler than nothing! Thanks a lot, can’t wait for these.
1. Posted by matt3o on 2019, May 11 @ 17:34
  
  production had quite a step back, expect some delay, but Massdrop is not talking to me that much.
  1. Posted by kokoon on 2019, May 12 @ 08:48
    
    Cheers for that piece of info, could you share another word or two on the “quite a step back” with production? Some technical issues?
    1. Posted by matt3o on 2019, May 12 @ 09:52
      
      well, basically we couldn’t reach the quality this set deserves with the current manufacturer. Fortunately we have a plan B, but of course all we’ve done so far is lost. Good news is that Massdrop is doing things right, we are aiming at the best possible product. Bad news is… well delays… but they are pretty much always expected, aren’t they.
      1. Posted by AtariZeroTV on 2019, May 14 @ 13:57
        
        This is unfortunate, but Drop working to make sure the molds are good quality is very important. This will be the first of a completely new line of keycaps; and Drop will then become a producer like GMK and SP with their own “in-house” keycap profile. This is the key to them getting a bigger piece of the keycap pie, so they’re going to want to make sure it’s nearly perfect.
      2. Posted by Evan Rowley on 2019, May 16 @ 18:13
        
        (Mass)Drop did a second GB for Holy Panda switches before producing the first GB. If the same happens with MT3 Susuwatari, I’ll be sure to join. :)
      3. Posted by matt3o on 2019, May 22 @ 12:33
        
        that is not going to happen
      4. Posted by Andrew T on 2019, June 1 @ 15:33
        
        Sadface.
        
        I mean, I get it. It’s usually right to deliver on what you promised before promising more.
        
        But I really regret not signing up.
Posted by YJ on 2019, June 27 @ 08:28

Hey, it’s almost the initial shipping date and there hasn’t been any update since the ‘moving to plan B’ one. How far is the set into production? and any ballpark for delayed shipping date?
1. Posted by matt3o on 2019, June 28 @ 08:58
  
  I wish I had good news… or any news at all. Trying to get updates from (Mass)Drop. I’ll keep you posted
Posted by Patrick on 2019, June 27 @ 20:54

Any chance at all you are able to take more orders? I’m assuming not, but I figure a shot in the dark is worth a comment on the blog right?
1. Posted by matt3o on 2019, June 28 @ 08:59
  
  that wouldn’t be possible, sorry
Posted by crazyforcaps on 2019, July 3 @ 20:43

Any news from Drop?

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