Extra Fancy Scales!
about 1 year ago – Fri, Apr 14, 2023 at 02:06:43 PM

Hey everyone!

We are officially halfway through the campaign and we are SO close to being funded! Just a few more backers and we'll be there!

Premium Scales

Scott and I have been keeping busy with a little secret project that we're excited to share with you! We're calling these "Premium Scales". All of the premium scales feature 3D textures, and like the traditional scales, are machined out of titanium. These designs add a little more texture and style to your carabiner. As a bonus, the premium scales provide extra grip and a tactile guide, making them easier to handle.

We are offering three different patterns:

Sunburst

Stripes

Generative

Adding Premium Scales to your Pledge

The premium scales can be added in one of two ways.

Buy a full set of premium scales: If you would like to add a set of premium scales (on pc), click the green "Manage Your Pledge" option at the top of this Kickstarter, click the blue "edit your pledge" button, click the green "Pledge" button again, which will bring you to the ADD-ON page where you can can choose the ADD-ON titled "One Premium Set of Scales". This will add a completely new set of scales.

If you back for a single carabiner and then add on a set of premium scales, you will receive a core, a standard set of scales, and a premium set of scales. You will be able to select your pattern during the backer survey after the campaign.

Upgrade a set of color scales: If you do not want a spare set of scales, go through the process outlined above and you can choose the ADD-ON titled "UPGRADE to ➡ One Premium Set of Scales". This will replace an existing set of color scales with a premium set.

For example: if you order a single carabiner and then upgrade to premium scales, you will receive a core and one set of premium scales. You will be able to select your pattern during the backer survey after the campaign.

Thanks everyone! Tell us what you think in the comments!

-AJ & Scott

Bonus Picture:

New Add-ons!
about 1 year ago – Tue, Apr 04, 2023 at 10:04:09 AM

Hey all!

I'll keep this quick. You guys spoke, we listened. Turns out that we missed some low hanging fruit in our add-on structure. To fix those gaps, we added two new add-ons.

1) You can now add on extra carabiners. This will be particularly useful for the Early-Bird backers who don't want to give up their better pricing, but want more than one carabiner. 

2) We added a three pack of scales! You all seem to like the idea of being able to swap out your scales, well now you can buy more at a pretty fantastic discount.

We're listening if you have any more ideas or suggestions!

-AJ

PS: Don't forget about FidgetThings and his campaign, it's blowing up right now!

Open Source Scales
about 1 year ago – Mon, Apr 03, 2023 at 04:11:47 PM

Hey Everyone!

Open Source Scales

We are officially open-sourcing our scale design! So if you want to machine your own scales, or even 3D print them, that is now possible! We have the files hosted on Printables, you can find those HERE.

Our license is pretty open and generous. TLDR: Do whatever you want with the scales, just don't pretend to be Design The Everything, and don't make/sell the cores. Full details are available on the Printables Page.

Both native CAD files, and 3D printable files are available. There is even a CAM sample in the Fusion 360 files for those of you who would like to machine your own. I'll be working on an instructional video about how to best machine them too. 

A few more details on the license:

• You may modify and share the files. If you share them just make sure they include this same license, and that you provide attribution to “Design The Everything”.
• You may make and sell Scales. You may not make and sell the “core” or complete carabiners that use this scale design unless your purchase the core from Design The Everything.
• You may not represent your product as a Design The Everything Product.

If you want to make and sell your own scales, we'll happily work with you. Send us a message if you are interested in buying either cores or scale blanks wholesale. 

Fidget Things is awesome

On a side note, a good friend of mine just launched his own Kickstarter! If you like my stuff, then you will LOVE his stuff. He is an OG Kickstarter EDC maker, and always has the most beautiful, fun, tactile stuff. You can check that out HERE

Great Start!
about 1 year ago – Thu, Mar 30, 2023 at 07:42:30 PM

Hey everyone!

Thank you all for the support! Pretty much everyone here has been a repeat supporter and/or long time friend. And that means a lot to me. This project is a make or break thing for DTE, and it's nice to know that we have so many great friends around us.

Scott and I are pretty worn out from getting ready for this campaign, so we're going to take it nice and easy for the weekend, but then we will be back on Monday ready to hit the ground running! The current plan is to set aside next week for some infrastructure improvements, get the shop cleaned up, get organized, and generally get ready to hit production hard.

Then the next few weeks will all be about building reliable processes, sorting out our new manufacturing method, nailing down finishing recipes, etc. The goal is to get production rolling as soon as the campaign ends. We learned some lessons during the last campaign, and we'll be taking those to heart during this one. We will of course document all of this on the youtube channel. You can watch our videos documenting the process so far HERE.

Y'all have been more than generous, but I think I need to push my luck with one more request. It would be hugely helpful if you could share the campaign on your own social media. Here's an Instagram post that is designed to be sharable, but anything would be helpful. Also, if anyone here has a larger social media presence, I would love to chat about how we could work together. (or even if you have a friend, it would be great if you could connect us).

Thanks everyone!

AJ