Let’s start with the new drops coming up.

V4 MQR for Key Organizers

V4 is in process. I’ve made a few prototypes and had plenty of testing. They are going to be awesome! Materials will include Aluminum to start and then adding Brass, Copper, Titanium and possibly Zirconium. I’ll of course being doing some limited custom versions in different Anodized and stonewashed colors.

These are designed for Keybars, Orbitkeys and Keysmart. The Keyport version is already up over on Keyports website. The Keyport version is designed specifically for Keyport Pivot 2.0. They are a very compact key organizer so they required different dimensions. The Keyport version will NOT fit other key organizers. The V4 will fit most all key organizers though. Hope that’s not confusing…

The flat side takes the place of one key and can swivel more than 180 degrees to move out of the way while using keys and tools. It can also fold so it’s not so long inside a pocket.

The magnets are the tried and true magnets found in my V2s. They are rated about 10 lbs.

hoping to have a large batch made in the coming week so stay tuned.

Materials

Let’s talk about new Materials. I purchased a few Gcarta blocks form a great maker on instagram. Check out @g.l._hansenandsons

This is just one of the really unique patterns they are producing and in some wicked colors. I’ve got 3 other color patterns to cut down into rod stock before I can turn them on the lathe. It’s time consuming but the results are fantastic. These will also be in dropping in the next week or two. These are a micarta the the G.L. Hansen and Sons make themselves. They have a huge variety of colors and patterns. Problem is, they are all in square blocks. I cut them down into rod stock on a manual lathe and make a mess doing so. From there it’s all CNC work.

I’m also hoping to get more glow in the dark materials. These are also expensive and a little difficult to source. The company out of the Netherlands called Carbon Waves makes a great glow rod, but they take a while to get here and are more expensive than titanium by the foot.

Tuesday Flash Sales

My wife thought it was a great idea to start doing a Tuesday flash sale for different things around the shop. Some weeks it’s custom one-of-a-kind products while others will be overstock or dint and ding. Keep an eye out for these every Tuesday over on my Instagram page. @urbancarvers.

New Packaging

One of the many things on my list has been packaging. I’ve always wanted something more professional, compact and more secure. The biggest issue I’ve had with shipping strong magnets has been the fact that they stick to everything along the way unless they have lots of padding to keep them from getting to close to things like sorting machines, metal bins, and truck floors. I learned real quick how easy things can be lost and never found if they don’t make it through the automated sorting machines.

Packaging is an entire world by itself and there are so many different options. It’s overwhelming to say the least. I did find someone that specializes in this and after making a few prototypes I’ve almost completed the first run of new packaging. I’ve designed the package to be a bit modular in that it can hold a variety of different quick releases. I didn’t want to have 5 different versions to keep up with. These will hold all variations of my MQRs and ensure there’s enough space and padding to keep them secure during transit. It also gives me a lot of real-estate for text and images on the outside of the box. Things like warning labels and content labels that can easily be made with stickers.

New CNC Machine

I can’t forget to mention the updates on the new machine. It’s here, in the shop, and nearly ready. I’ve hooked up and installed almost everything I can do on my own. I’m now waiting on a service tech to come out and do a final leveling and inspection. These big machines can NOT simply be set in place and turned on. The heavy components can be seriously damaged if not leveled. The GPS has to be updated before I can even run parts. There’s a bunch of things like way lubricant, hydraulics, air supply, power, coolant, cooling etc. We are so close! I’ve installed the 3 phase converter and done as much cleaning and checking I can. Service is scheduled and so we have to wait some more…

Laser

The laser has been really exciting! It’s very compact and now that I’m familiar with the software and functionality I’ve found it a lot of fun to mark, engrave and even anodize different parts. We’ve already made a few awesome MQRs with the new laser anodizing and sold some on the last Tuesday Flash Sale. This thing opens up so many channels for branding, customizing and new products.

Getting it hooked up and operational was pretty simple. The software is a entirely new beast and a little buggy. I had to move my extraction fan and fix the hoses so it will extract the nasty fumes it makes. Thanks to the newly formed world of legal cannibis grow operations I can source high quality fans and hoses at a fraction of the cost they were a few years ago.

Collaborations

If you are still with me, thanks! I would be denying you some of the more fun future plans if I didn’t mention some new projects we have in the works. If you didn’t already know we have partnered with Keyport and designed and are making the Keyport KO which is basically my V4 but specifically for the Keyport Pivot as mentioned earlier. I have two more companies I am working with to create some custom pieces for that are sure to be awesome. One will be for a custom MQR that has been done previously but on a very limited run. Hoping to add those back to the market but keep a steady supply going. The other will be a prybar that will be customized by yours truly. Those will take more time and patience.

Did you make it through my ramblings? Was this interesting to you? Let me know by commenting below or shoot me an email.

Thanks everyone for continuing to support this awesome adventure!

-Dustin