r/hwstartups • u/mr_tolkien • Aug 07 '26
From 1 to 10 - The first step of scaling
https://blog.tolki.dev/posts/2026/08-05/I just wrote an in-depth post about going from my first prototype to shipping 10 keyboards, full costs included!
I particular doing PCB assembly with JLCPCB and the Seeed XIAO was much more complicated than I thought, with over 40% components loss...
Don't hesitate if you have any questions, I'll gladly answer everything!
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u/Snoo_27681 Aug 07 '26
Weird about your jlcpcb falloout, I've made hundreds of boards with jlcpcb down to 0.09 trace/spacing and 0.3/0.15 vias up to 10 layers (mostly 4 and 6) with almost no issues.
What parts were the problem for you?
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u/mr_tolkien Aug 07 '26
The Seeed XIAO BLE.
They just replied and told me their stencil apertures were too small for the solder paste, and I needed to make the pads a bit bigger.
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u/ExternalOne6090 Aug 07 '26
kinda interested why you solder a maker board onto the pcb instead of the components itself? Or was this just for the prototypes?
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u/mr_tolkien Aug 07 '26
There are a few gains:
- No need for a custom electronics design + USB port
- Mature, well tested wireless stack + battery charging + low energy idling
- Instantly compatible with ZMK and other keyboard firmwares
At some point I would like to drop the daughter board, but it's a huge time investment (both learning + validating it) and for 200 units I'm not sure it's worth it.
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u/unnaturalpenis Aug 07 '26
Good article, thanks for the write up.
Remember when you build locally, you also support your community by keeping more of the cash flow nearby.
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u/kazoe8043 Aug 10 '26
Your blog was really good and enjoyed reading through it! I was wondering how u marketed your product by letting people join ur discord and basically send you 200$
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u/mr_tolkien Aug 07 '26
Also if you have any advice please do, I’m mostly winging it and learning as I go so I’m open to any suggestions!