I was told that each hashing chip costs about $2 and some select few companies can hook you up with the original ones.
That's far from accurate, the BM1398BB chips which are used on the S19 cost over $20 (ignore prices on Alibaba/Aliexpress because those are either scammer or failed to update the price list).
So for an S19 pro you going to need 114*3*20 = $8,640 in Chips alone, you might find them a bit cheaper, but nothing remotely close to the 2$ mark.
But what i do know for sure, and i am sure you'd agree, is that its still not going to cost anywhere close to $10k.
I disagree, and I am certain that it will cost you above $10k, you are trying to beat bitmain into making a "cheaper" gear is daydreaming at best, honestly, I think any rational thoughts should be based on the fact that ALL markets on planet earth eventually get to an equilibrium, whereby the "arbitrage" profit becomes too small.
So with that in mind, you have to keep in mind that there are a dozen of businesses there, including some Chinese BILLIONAIRES who have access to more resources than you do, they have hundreds if not thousands of staff and robots, if "cloning" an S19 pro today costs less than 10k, everyone and their grandmother in China would be doing that, the S19 pro sells for 14-15k in China, and it's selling HOT.
That 14-15k isn't a random number that Chines sellers decide over their wechat chat-room, it's a perfect mix of supply and demand, NOBODY was able to increase the supply and that's why the price hasn't dropped if what you think is true, the markets would be flooded with a no-name 110TH miners or so, but why aren't there any? unless you think you know things that nobody else does, which is unlikely.
I really admire your ambition, but what you are trying to do is worse than reinventing the wheel.
Would really appreciate if you at least read the whole thread before jumping to conclusions.
My whole point og writing the post was the fact that i personally know someone and i can get my hands on at least some chips for near cost price.
Moreover that aside, checking with other sellers on alibaba at the time of writing this message, the chips are going for around $10 to $14 maximum, dont have to take my word for it, you could inquire with alibaba sellers yourself.
114*10*3 = 3420
add around 200 for the control board and 250 to 280 for a psu
The rest depends on the cost of cloning the PCB
You are still looking at less than half the price of what the miner is going for (14 to 15k).
Now am i saying that everything is going to be 100% geniune and is going to work on the first try?
no, Nothing is certain, but then that goes for the whole crypto scene/market alltogether.
All i am saying is that, In theory there is no reason why it wouldnt and i might put some funds into this in the coming months.