https://github.com/athul/macrokuttan

The Budget Macropad Project
https://github.com/athul/macrokuttan

circuitpython handwired kmk-firmware macropad mechanical-keyboard pico python

Last synced: 2 months ago
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The Budget Macropad Project

• Host: GitHub
• URL: https://github.com/athul/macrokuttan
• Owner: athul
• License: gpl-3.0
• Created: 2021-08-27T17:31:42.000Z (over 3 years ago)
• Default Branch: main
• Last Pushed: 2021-10-06T03:57:24.000Z (over 3 years ago)
• Last Synced: 2024-04-20T09:21:12.722Z (9 months ago)
• Topics: circuitpython, handwired, kmk-firmware, macropad, mechanical-keyboard, pico, python
• Language: Python
• Homepage: https://blog.athulcyriac.xyz/blog/macropad
• Size: 6.82 MB
• Stars: 7
• Watchers: 2
• Forks: 1
• Open Issues: 0
• Metadata Files:
  • Readme: README.md
  • License: LICENSE

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README

        
# MacroKuttan

MacroKuttan is a Macropad with Raspberry Pi Pico and [KMK Firmware](https://github.com/KMKfw/kmk_firmware). It's a budget macropad made shy of **$13 ≈ ₹1000**.

It's a handwired keyboard with a 3D printed case. Me and a group of friends did this together to try out the "Mechanical" switches.

## Items List

|       Item        | Price | Number of Items |

| :---------------: | :---: | :-------------: |

| Raspberry Pi Pico | ₹349  |        1        |

|     Switches      |  ₹18  |        9        |

| Case(3D Printed)  | ₹200  |        1        |

|  Diodes(1N4148)   |  ₹2   |        9        |

> The Keycaps weren't added since it was out of stock. Will update the table when in stock(probably ₹200/- for 10)

Total = ₹740 + Delivery Charges for Case and Switches(₹100 per person).

I had some old keycaps lying around which I salvaged from an old keyboard with too scratchy mx-blacks. Using that added a vintage look to the macropad.

## References

- The case design was from VOID9 design by [Victor Lucachi](https://github.com/victorlucachi/void9)

- KMK Firmware: https://github.com/KMKfw/kmk_firmware

- Keycaps File: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3185908/files

## Guides and Code Referred to

- [Handwiring Guide](https://beta.docs.qmk.fm/using-qmk/guides/keyboard-building/hand_wire)

- [James Dawson's Blog](https://blog.jmdawson.co.uk/raspberry-pi-pico-macro-pad/)

- [MakeUseOf Blog](https://www.makeuseof.com/how-to-build-macro-pad-on-budget/)

- [4dcube's Blog](http://blog.4dcu.be/diy/2021/04/05/Macropad.html)

- [enlavin's Gist using KMK Firmware](https://gist.github.com/enlavin/9406429a4d74b8a5a4d4a0cc15bd1feb)

- [KMK Firmware Docs](https://github.com/KMKfw/kmk_firmware/tree/master/docs)

## Things I've tried

- First time soldering

- Using a Microcontroller for the First time

- Played with a Rotary Encoder with KMK

- Added a LED with a breathing animation. This gives an underglow effect

## Images

1. Raspberry Pi and Gateron Blues

![RPI and Gateron Blues](/assets/rpi.jpg)

2. 3D Printed Case of Void 9 Design

![3D Printed Case](/assets/case_1.jpg)

3. Macropad with Old Keycaps

![Macroapd with Old Keycaps](/assets/kb_1.jpg)

4. Finished Build

![Completed Build](/assets/mp_1.jpeg)

5. Breathe Animation with a Single White Led(Underglow Effect)

https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/40897573/135473760-ec9e870b-cf40-4e79-8565-fe208eda3cc4.mp4

> I don't solder that well, so dropping the soldered parts image ;)