CWMouse is a precise, lightweight, micro-switch based and affordable Iambic CW Paddle.

In previous posts Refining CWMouse and Coverage and E-Commerce Changes, I explored design changes to ease assembly, keeping costs down and noted efforts to diversity Sales.

Below I share what worked, what didn’t and provide project updates.

Design Changes Explored

• Design a through-hole PCB - alternative found.
  • This was to ease soldering of wires to audio-jacks.
  • Instead, I experimented with a different jack designs and found one which allows easy direct soldering.
  • Design will be updated once I run out of my stock of audio-jacks.
• Offer unassembled kits - not taken.
  • There is 0 interest in this option.
• Switch parts suppliers - completed.
  • I made orders in bulk and saved on unit costs.
• Switch bearings from 14mm to smaller units - not taken.
  • Competitively priced, high quality bearings could not be found in sizes below 14mm OD. All units I located were either more expensive or lower quality.

One area identified for improvement was less than 100% yield on printed parts. It was completely solved by:

• a) Refining my print plate preparation process.
  • Involves strict clean, degrease and application of adhesion agent.
  • This eliminated lifting of corners preventing deformed and unusable parts.
• b) Refining the design of lettering on the CWMouse.
  • The small below surface lettering was a source of print failures.
  • The solution was to move the "CWMOUSE" text to the back and use a larger bolder font.
  • Any print deviations are now minor, on the back and less noticeable.

Two areas of limited value and high time commitment were identified:

• i) Lids printed with custom callsign required printing after customer placed an order.
  • This is very inefficient from production point of view, as it requires 3d printer-time ON-DEMAND for printing just one lid.
  • I switched to making a small plate with the callsign which prints reliably in 2min.
  • The custom callsign is offered only via ‘Stripe direct payment’ option.
• ii) Personalized notes overhead.
  • Cannot be done for Amazon.
  • Many customers don’t care.
  • My handwriting is not the most legible.
  • The note doesn’t make a good “leaflet” to hand to a friend.
  • Solution: I designed a business card with all necessary information.

E-Commerce Changes

Today I offer CWMouse through four stores:

• Stripe direct payment
  • Lowest fees.
  • Custom callsign is available with this option
    • Make sure to provide your callsign on the order form!
  • Includes a personalized “Thank You” note.
• Amazon
  • Reasonable fees.
  • Bulk fulfillment - no possibility of personalization.
• Ebay
  • Highest fees.
  • Very popular option with lots of reviews.
  • This is the only option with international shipping.
• Etsy
  • I tried - but haven’t yet made a sale on Etsy :)

Every box now includes a business card with a big “Thank You”, contact info, QR code, a picture of CWMouse and an ask to please leave a review. Handing this card to your friends is another way to support CWMouse.

Future work

I’m exploring 3d printing in PETG, considering color options, including translucent paddles and wood-fiber, but I need your input (link in bottom-right of this post) to know what folks will buy.

Summary

CWMouse taught me a lot how to run a (very) small business and how to refine a product with customer, and manufacturer in mind. If you are an existing customer, please drop a review on the site where you purchased your CWMouse and consider reviewing on eHam.net.

Thank You again, 73 KN6FQM :)