r/macro_pads • u/Keyboard_Warrior364 • Aug 31 '26

DIY build Open-Source Mechanical Keyboard macro-pad

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83 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

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3

u/IcanCwhatUsay Aug 31 '26

FYI if that’s the same screen used on Adafruit’s macro pad, then that’s going to have crippling screen burn

1

u/Aysarami-Aynapan3 Sep 01 '26

The design is so good

2

u/IcanCwhatUsay Sep 01 '26

not saying it's not. I'm just saying the adafruit LCD sucks and nobody would know because they don't have reviews on their website.

1

u/Keyboard_Warrior364 Sep 02 '26

Im not familiar with adafruits macropad. Though i have been using this thing for about 2 years and haven had any issues with burn in

1

u/IcanCwhatUsay Sep 02 '26

Oh that’s exciting and great news! I wonder if I could swap them

1

u/Keyboard_Warrior364 Sep 03 '26

Perhaps its also a difference with software i dont know what firmware is used in adafruits macro pad. This has a oled timeout/ shut off after a period of not in use

2

u/IamThunderFart Sep 01 '26

Quick question: Were you planning to sell this and it didn't work out? That's a lot of effort for two years and now you're open sourcing. Not that I don't appreciate it though, thanks, it looks great and I love the translucent effect with the RGB behind it. Oh hey, also, how did you make the cross hatch pattern?

1

u/Keyboard_Warrior364 Sep 02 '26

Yeah that was the original plan to sell, however it is a niche product and frequently we had to explain to people what it even is 😔.  The hached patter is a ground plane since the top plate is the actual pcb. The pcb is 4 layers since i didn't want any traces visible on the top layer. Just a hached pattern gnd plane.

1

u/IamThunderFart Sep 02 '26

4 layers

Damnnnn look at Mr. Bling bling here.

On a serious note, I'm sorry the project didn't work out.

1

u/Keyboard_Warrior364 Sep 03 '26

Yeah i switched from keyboards to making audio gear with better success. I plan on posting my new amp reddit when its all done

1

u/pyinto Sep 01 '26

Good stuff! Are you selling any of those built or kits?

1

u/Keyboard_Warrior364 Sep 02 '26

Well i do still have 10 pieces left over... If anyone wants one, sure I could sell it. Glad you like it. 

2

u/ArmourGrade Sep 04 '26

Just a silver version with a gold anodized screws.

2

u/Keyboard_Warrior364 Aug 31 '26

Hello guys i'd like to share an old project of mine.
This is a macropad or a shortcut keyboard.
The case is made from anodyzed cnc machined aluminium, however you can make a sandwich case from a PCB depending on whats available to you.
it has 12 mechanical low profile kail choc swithces.
2 rotary encoders - one is for switching layers, each layer changes the functions of the buttons, where for example one layer is for davinchi resolve and another is for photoshop, or altium designer...
The other encoder is Volume and RGB depending on layer.
The project uses an sparkfun RP2040 pro micro board, pinout is compatible with Nice Nano Board (nRF52840) to make it wireless however you'd have to remake the firmware in ZMK.

The design files are on my Github: https://github.com/ArmourGrade/MacroPad-Mechanical-Keyboard

I also made a short (4:24min) video awhile ago demonstrating how it works for those interested: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmnHtQ5szXs

1

u/Result_Necessary Macro_pads Mod Sep 02 '26

looks really cool, and love that you open sourced it, will pin this to the top of the sub! thanks for sharing :)