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_DEATH_STR0KE_ t1_ja6yqmk wrote

I need to try making one too. With an Arduino that has usb C port instead.

But first i need to learn pcb design and order one. I have soldering and programming skills.

A 3d printer would be nice but I don't have one.... I do have some woodworking practice and my dad can help me here as well for a case.

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tencuatoi OP t1_ja72l8u wrote

You should try it. It's not that hard.

I didn't know how to design a PCB too. My soldering skills is really bad, you can see it in the picture. But learn enough to make a macropad is not really difficult.

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Trigun3k0 t1_ja7a61e wrote

Simple little beautiful piece. Any recommendation for start with pcb design? I have soldering and programming skills but never felt comfortable in pcb design or anything electrical related :/

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tencuatoi OP t1_ja7drfx wrote

I used KiCad for designing the PCB.

To start, you should learn the basic first. Youtube have a lot of that kind of video:

  • Schematic: Add Symbols, Labels, Wiring, Named Symbol reference, Assign Footprint (Remember to select the right footprint)
  • Board: Layers, Fill zone, Wiring.

Then you should learn how a keyboard works:

  • Learn how Microcontroller sends a key to computer
  • Keyboard matrix, how Microcontroller knows which key is pressed.
  • Make sure that your Microcontroller has enough pins for the matrix.
  • Learn how to use Diode

After that you can get back to KiCad and make a keyboard PCB. At this time, the hardest part is wiring, you will learn when you do it.

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stew_going t1_ja9jzdv wrote

This is so cool, thanks for sharing! Once designed, how did you get your pcb made? Does KiCad offer a manufacturing service?

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tencuatoi OP t1_jaar5pi wrote

Jlcpcb is good. but I use a local manufacturing service.

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angerofmars t1_jaeif60 wrote

Are you living in VN or abroad? If you happen to live in VN can you share the name of the service you used?

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Yornn t1_ja7vkh4 wrote

ai03 has a great set of articles explaining the 101 of making a keyboard pcb amn using KiCad. I started designing my own PCB a couple weeks ago and it was very helpful.

Understanding or knowning what components to use and why they have the value they have is the challenging part for me. Sometimes it's detailed in the documentation of the integrated circuit, but sometimes you just have to look for what others on internet did.

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luisdamed t1_ja92qw8 wrote

Good resources! Thanks for sharing. I'm also making my first macropad, but already ordered the PCBs.. anyways the tips from those articles will be useful for the next one.

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Nilzzz t1_ja7c17g wrote

I'd suggest KiCad, which is what OP used as well. It's free, and not really difficult and has a large community.

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AhoyWilliam t1_ja7kj7b wrote

For what it's worth, once you have the circuit designed the circuit layout software can often route all of the tracks for you within parameters that you define (eg. Key placement, track and pad dimensions, minimising wire bonds to bridge over tracks etc...)

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enjoilife1128 t1_ja865am wrote

Digi-Key’s Youtube channel has a great tutorial series going through the whole process of PCB design with KiCAD. Highly recommend for someone just starting out.

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WhiteHelix t1_ja99it1 wrote

Go for RP2040 based MCUs, everything else is extremely outdated by now.

Edit: for example KB2040, Helios, Frood RP2040, at least here in the EU. Don’t really have examples beyond the KB2040 for US. If you Design from scratch, of course your don’t have to use the pro micro footprint

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[deleted] t1_ja9gqf0 wrote

[removed]

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Balkyne t1_ja88yth wrote

6% now!? This is getting outta hand

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SlashdotDiggReddit t1_ja7lkia wrote

> "If you wish to make an apple pie keyboard from scratch, you must first invent the universe."

~ Carl Sagan [-ish]

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kool-keys t1_ja6xz9n wrote

That looks super neat work.

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diabloxenon t1_ja7i5ox wrote

Good job! it’s useful for copy pasting stuff from stack overflow.

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Wushvuzulle t1_ja76yyi wrote

Nice touch for something as such.

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SANPres09 t1_ja7l6e8 wrote

Nice! What do you use it for? Are those knobs used for volume control?

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tencuatoi OP t1_ja7ov42 wrote

One of the knobs for volume control, the other is for page up/down. At first is for Brightness control, but I don't use it often. 3 of the keys for Slack's shortcuts, because I work with Slack alot. 1 for locking OS (Ctrl + L). 1 for open terminal. 1 for open terminal in a folder.

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GarlicRiver t1_ja7yeye wrote

What slack macros do you use? I'm a daily slacker too and could probably be more efficient with it.

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tencuatoi OP t1_ja7zpfh wrote

2 for jump forward/backwards to unread channel. 1 for jump to threads - the menu in sidebar that lists all of the threads that I'm in, order by the new message first. Useful to jump into new thread's reply.

I found an useful macro for reaction a favorite emoji to a message. But I don't have enough keys now.

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amikemark t1_ja7jmym wrote

that's fun!

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tencuatoi OP t1_ja7pggy wrote

Yes. The best part is making it. After that I want to make a better version instead of using it. 😅

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IWishIHavent t1_ja7q0bp wrote

Looks much to me!

Also looks neat, good work!

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_Nico_P_ t1_ja9bm8h wrote

Great project! You gave me ideas :)

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stellarsojourner t1_ja9cblt wrote

Dude, nice. I have a similar project in limbo myself, I just need to learn to design the PCB and get it ordered. The breadboard prototype is working and gathering dust on my desk though. So, congrats on actually completing the project.

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AutoModerator t1_ja6wupc wrote

ANY content that features products, services you sell, your prototypes in progress or items you were sponsored to post MUST use the Promotional flair, with disclosure of who you represent.

When posting your build, please provide a description of the build, preferably as a Top Level Comment or Reply to this Comment, with the following information:

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Pipoune t1_ja7b2hd wrote

Nice job, did you 3d printed the keycaps ?

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sank3rn t1_ja7t8o7 wrote

Nice build. How much did it cost?

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tencuatoi OP t1_ja7y5vt wrote

For only macropad's components, it cost about 16$ (I have to pay for some redundant circuits). But of course, there are some tools for soldering, shipping fee, etc.

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doranmauldin t1_ja7ubte wrote

What do you use it for?

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tencuatoi OP t1_ja7uxt1 wrote

One of the knobs for volume control, the other is for page up/down. At first is for Brightness control, but I don't use it often. 3 of the keys for Slack's shortcuts, because I work with Slack alot. 1 for locking OS (Ctrl + L). 1 for open terminal. 1 for open terminal in a folder.

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doranmauldin t1_ja7v9x9 wrote

Cool, so you genuinely find the macros useful.

That’s awesome.

I have a friend who has made some of these.

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nayr310 t1_ja7zoyl wrote

Much more than I’d be able to make :)

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Result_Necessary t1_ja82gat wrote

This is such a nice little build! shared on r/macro_pads

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[deleted] t1_ja84ggg wrote

[deleted]

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tencuatoi OP t1_ja84rw1 wrote

Agree, That's hardly from scratch. However, I think "from scratch" has different levels. We can't build a Microcontroller from scratch, right?

And it only cost 20$ including shipping fee :)

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tencuatoi OP t1_ja86z5k wrote

  • ProMicro clone: 4$
  • 2x Knobs: 3.36$
  • 6x keycaps: 2.18$
  • 2x rotary encoders: 1.26$
  • 1x plier: 0.8$
  • 6x switch: 1.6$
  • solder: 0.8$
  • 10x PCB: 5.46$

= around 20$ (shipping fee is included, some of them are free shipping)

And 4$ for a Soldering Iron.

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-WhyDoh- t1_ja8geiu wrote

Damn, last thing I needed was another project. Added to the list anyways! Awesome project and execution and thanks for open sourcing!!

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rVonyon t1_ja8org0 wrote

Wich tutorial did you use? If you used......

Btw, HOW did you did?

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moocat t1_ja8q04s wrote

That looks really nice and I'd love to try to build my own. That said, I don't have any experience with custom PCBs so not sure how I go from your source files to a physical PCB. Any chance you could document how to do that?

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tencuatoi OP t1_jaasmxf wrote

There are files in the pcb/plots folder. They called Gerber files. You can compress those files and send to a PCB manufacturer.

If you want to custom, then just edit the KiCad project, then generate new Gerber files.

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LawrenceInDaHouse t1_ja90ohk wrote

Love it but the REF** silkscreen on the mounting holes is triggering something in me

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tencuatoi OP t1_jaas9my wrote

I know it. It will be better once I create a new better version :D

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tomhermans t1_ja93hvs wrote

I like it. Very much. Should rework mine a bit, but I struggled with the values coming off the rotary encoders. How did you solve this if I might ask ?

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MrDankky t1_ja9ihri wrote

Looks really cool man, I was going to buy one of these but building one looks much more fun. Do you think this would be doable for someone with no experience? I studied software engineering about 10 years ago so know the basics on the coding side.

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tencuatoi OP t1_jaaroh3 wrote

>Do you think this would be doable for someone with no experience?

Absolutely yes. I have no experience before.

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sadsadbarista t1_ja9r6r1 wrote

More than I ever could figure out how to do, for sure. Cool stuff! :)

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HungryAct40 t1_ja9vlcs wrote

Super clean. Excellent work. Love it!

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Me2young4DDoS t1_jaapmo8 wrote

Maybe someone in here can answer:

Is it possible to get a machined aluminum casing for it? Like, I send someone a CAD file and they mill it or manufacture it in the most appropriate way? Who offers such a service?

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akshay2000 t1_jac1nak wrote

This is probably prohibitively expensive. That's why even the keyboard manufacturers have interest checks and group buys. Even then companies like Keycult are struggling to deliver on the quality promise.

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EncomCTO t1_jab5b1m wrote

No such thing as not much when you made it from scratch.

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