What the WHAT? $1500 in one night!?
I am stunned. Completely shocked. I don't mean to sound ridiculous here, I am just surprised at the sudden turnout. I will have our regularly scheduled, backer-only update tomorrow, but I couldn't let this pass without addressing it.
$8k Bonus Reward!
So, those of you who were already following, or who read through old updates, will know I'm supposed to think of some awesome extra at these milestone moments. Well, I've got it. I was picking a lock for my mechanic the other day. His punch clock hadn't had a usable key in quite some time. I popped it quickly and am bringing him a replacement on Friday. Now, I'm not charging for this, my mechanic runs a great shop and they've helped me out time and time again with my wonderful, but unreliable car, so I was happy to return the favor. However, I did mention that it would be pretty great to get any windshield wipers they were going to throw out.
You see, the strip of metal inside the wiper blade makes for great picks & tension wrenches. They agreed and have started collecting the blades. I wasn't sure what I would do with a large pile of them, but now I've had an idea.
I'm going to make every one of you my favorite tensioner, by hand. I love top of keyway tension, where you apply tension to the plug via the highest part of the keyway. It leaves a lot of room to work and provides a more consistent turning force. The hard thing about top tension, though, is keeping the wrench in. That's where serrated wrenches come in! So, I am going to make 149 (and counting) double-sided, serrated, top-of-keyway wrenches by hand! If the total keeps climbing, I'll keeping thinking up and adding more extras to everyone's rewards!
But Wait, There's More!
Also, I'm adding some stuff to a few specific backer rewards. First - now anyone backing at the $35 or $50 levels will get to choose their picks individually. I'll still prepare some suggested options for the 5 or 10 piece sets, but if you would like to pick each one specifically, I'll happily take your order!
If that happens to make the less expensive options more attractive to some backers currently pledging higher, I completely understand if you want to reduce your pledges. I genuinely appreciate every pledge and don't want anyone putting themselves out over this, so if you need to adjust, don't feel bad!
The other change is to the as-yet-unclaimed $250 level. First, my Mother is stepping up to offer a completely custom case for your tools (in addition to the standard case) and I'm going to collect everything I've ever written or recorded on the subject of Locksport. This includes notes from my research into lock manufacturing in the 1800s, unpublished articles meant for NDE magazine and plenty of talks, tutorials and demo vids. On top of all of that, I'm keeping the Skype time in there, too. 3 hours to part out as you wish to learn whatever you like.
Hope everyone is having a lovely night, thank you so much for your support.
-Schuyler
1,159
Backers
$87,407
pledged of $6,000 goal
0
seconds to go
Funding period
Jul 15, 2010 -
Sep 24, 2010
- First created · 36 backed
- Schuyler Towne 796 friends
- Website: schuylertowne.com
Pledge $5 or more
33 backers
Anyone who donates will get templates of the tools in EPS, PDF, PNG, SVG, etc. formats (basically every format I can export, which will include CAD files) along with instructions for making these tools yourself. I'll offer material suggestions and finishing ideas too.
Pledge $20 or more
44 backers
Practice Makes Perfect! A practice kit with 3 locks progressively pinned, security pins, tweezers, plug follower and instructions for repinning your own locks. All packaged in a lovely tin. [+ Templates!]
Pledge $35 or more
269 backers
Hors d'Oeuvres! A set of 5 picks! There will be two options available, either 5 advanced picks or 5 starter picks. Your choice! This selection will come with a small case as well. [+ Templates + Practice Kit]
Pledge $50 or more
90 backers
First Course! A set of 10 picks! There will be two options available, either the 10 starter picks or the 10 advanced picks. This selection will come with a large case as well. [+ Templates + Practice Kit]
Pledge $75 or more
587 backers
Main Course! The full set of 20 picks! You will get every pick I have designed from the starters right through to the advanced designs. This selection will come with a large case as well. [+ Templates + Practice Kit]
Pledge $100 or more
103 backers
Save room for Dessert! A hand screened, 2 color "Open Locksport" t-shirt and a bunch of other Open Locksport shwag. Temporary Tattoos? Absolutely! Stickers? Heck yes! And more! [+ Templates + Practice Kit + 20 Picks]
Pledge $250 or more
10 backers All gone!
Custom Kit & Full access to me! My Mother, who did all of the prototyping for the pick cases, will make you a custom, hand made pick case to your specifications, including any illustration or dedication you may want. Additionally, you'll be given everything I've ever written or recorded on the subject of Locks & get 3 hours of Skype time with me to ask questions, discuss locks, run demos, whatever you want. [+ Templates + Practice Kit + 20 Picks + Shwag]
Pledge $500 or more
15 backers
Lock Library! 50 Locks of various types, including pin tumblers, wafers, levers, and dial & sesame combo locks. 30 individual picks and the full set of 20 in a case. You'll also get handcuffs and a cutaway pin tumbler to help explain how they work. You'll also get all of the shwag of the $100 level! Great for new clubs and hackerspaces.
Pledge $1,000 or more
2 backers
Uber Lock Library! Everything in the Lock Library times 2! 100 locks! 60 individual picks! 2 full sets of 20 in cases! 2 different sets of handcuffs and a 2 cutaways! One of a pin-tumbler lock, one of the locking mechanism in handcuffs! In addition to all of this I'll send you training materials. Nicely illustrated guides to lockpicking, impressioning, bumping, overlifting, etc. etc! I can guarantee 10 different reproducible worksheets and I'm hoping to do 20+!
Pledge $2,500 or more
2 backers All gone!
Physical classroom! I fly to you! I'll bring the picks, locks, handcuffs, combo locks, cutaways, high security locks, and, most importantly, the knowledge, to run 2 days of classes for as many people you like. You let me know how many people I can expect and your nearest airport and I'll do the rest. Great for Colleges & Universities, Hackerspaces w/large membership, offices or law enforcement! (This offer open to continental US only. If you are outside of the US & want to subsidize the airfare, we can talk!)
Comments
Creator Robert Cauthorn on August 19, 2010
Congrats Schuyler, looks like your business is getting off to a great start. Can't wait to see what comes next.
Creator Israel Torres on August 19, 2010
wow congratulations everyone - this is an awesome effort!