[JesusFreke]

It was a matter of many months, although not 100% all the time on it. I started with trying different designs for a single "down" key mechanism, then just kept broadening the scope - creating a single "cluster" of 5 keys and doing a little proof of concept with the electronics on it. Figuring out the thumb mechanisms.. figuring out the handrest, and the adjustable cluster mounting mechanisms, etc. I wouldn't say there was any particular "failed approach" per say, just a lot of little failed design details along the way, that were changed/improved over the course of the design.

It would probably take me about 40 hours (of me time - not including 3d printing, etc.) to make one from scratch at this point. For someone trying to figure it out for the first time, I would double or triple that at least. But once I finish some design tweaks I've been working on, which include some actual fabbed pcbs, it shouldn't be as bad.