The_MajorYou're paying for:
-aluminium case
-new case design
-aluminum plate
-pcb
-stabilizers
If you were to build a 60%/65%, an aluminum case of similar quality would run $150 shipped, possibly more. The plate would run you at least an additional $40 to $70. The PCB would be between $40 and $60. You would still have to purchase stabilizers.
The_MajorApparently you really haven't fully embraced this hobby yet or you'd know that a limited production high quality CNC case case alone can easily go for well more than $200. At least this has a PCB, stabs, and a built in plate. Heck, I joined a GB elsewhere yesterday for an PCB/plate/stabs and my total was over $100. The case I'm looking at for that build will be about $120. The Clueboard may be expensive, but its price is not out of line for what it is.
Cotayits a piece of aluminium, its worth like $40, not $200. You people are just [moderated] and gullible and let the market rinse you dry. Material costs to make the case are like $5-10, factor in $10 for labour, then double to make profit. $40. You're all [moderated] with too much money.
The_MajorThere is a reason is it produced in CNC, it is a small production, and we aren't as much paying for the materials as we are for the work that goes in before that, PCB design, making CNC designs, prototyping, etc.
If you don't like it that is fine, but clearly it is selling, thus the market has decided it is worth that price, and given your estimates you can go ahead and prove us all fools, just remember to add the hours you use on it :)
The_MajorThe_Major, since you're breaking down Econ 101 for all of us, you do realize that no one actually pays for "raw materials" alone, right? That's not how a value added economy works. Furthermore, I would much rather fall into the "too much money" camp than align myself with someone who uses "retarded" as a pejorative adjective instead of a verb or past participle. The people behind this product are trying to feed their families. Let folks live. Dang.
The_MajorCase and PCB. The PCB uses QMK, which is a little harder to deal with the programming, but well worth it in the end. The case is also a work of art. The Superplate, as someone also said, doesn't flex, and the materials are top notch. I can't even fathom the design work that went into getting this CNC'd. I bought it for work, but find that I can't take it there because I enjoy it so much, so have to buy another.