I am fairly new to 3d modeling and the piece of plastic that holds my gaming chairs footrest snapped so i made it in blender and prepared to have pcb way machine it but because i made it in blender it wont let me use the model is there a way one of yall could make it in a software that that pcb way likes? Here is the model on thingiverse https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:7356747
Kidding of course, love seeing what wacky and fun new builds people are making. I call this the obelisk:
* Gateron banana low profile switches
* Rp2040 zero controller
* Concrete body cast in a 3d printed TPU mold
* Simple PCB designed by me, manufactured by PCBway, then hand soldered
* Steel plate sent off to be cut by sendcutsend
* 3D printed keycaps, 3D printed knob
* Cord stolen from a dead razer deathadder
Just a fun project I decided to take on this month, mainly as a test run to see if I could do a whole keyboard. A big goal was to see how much of it could be made by hand, by me. I really wanted it to look rough, industrial, a little brutal; it will probably age further into that as the metal rusts and patinas and the concrete crumbles and stains.
I will probably swap out the 3d printed caps for something a little higher quality, but these are a good starting place.
Hey, 12 days ago I posted my 4-knob LED pattern controller here and the response was way bigger than I expected.
What changed since then:
- Designed my first PCB in KiCad (PCBway sponsored the manufacturing after seeing the original post — huge thanks)
- Swapped all 4 potentiometers for rotary encoders with push switches
- Cleaner case design to fit the new PCB and encoders
- All files on GitHub: schematics, PCB artwork (Gerber), 3D models for the case, firmware
I also built a website and just wrote the first post on it — a long build log looking back at the whole journey, in both English and Korean. Wrote it today while pausing to think about where this is heading.
GitHub: https://github.com/engmung/PatternFlow
Site + build log: https://patternflow.work/journal/v1-30-days
If it's useful to you, a star on the repo would mean a lot.
Found this really interesting Modular Split Mechanical Keyboard project from Charlie Steenhagen.
This modular split mechanical keyboard is a highly customized “end-game” style DIY build that packs an impressive number of features into a single design. Built around an STM32F072CBT6 MCU, it supports hot-swappable Kailh Choc switches, USB-C connectivity, dual 2.2” LCD displays, and per-key RGB lighting. The layout combines a full ergonomic split keyboard with an expanded set of macro keys, making it highly optimized for productivity and workflow-heavy use cases.
A key highlight of the design is its focus on practical integration. Instead of using stabilizers, larger modifier keys such as Shift, Tab, Caps Lock, and Enter are standardized to 1.5u sizing. A cleverly placed arrow key cluster is tucked beneath the right-hand area, allowing quick access without breaking typing flow, especially useful for coding or navigation-heavy tasks.
The project also emphasizes modularity and expandability. Magnetic pogo-pin connectors allow external modules such as a detachable numpad (or other custom extensions like encoders or macro pads) to be attached only when needed. The numpad itself is designed as a standalone PCB, meaning it can be repurposed or replaced with other custom hardware depending on user needs.
The thumb clusters are tailored for Mac-style workflows, with Cmd, Ctrl, Option, and Space positioned for efficiency. Firmware layer functionality further extends these keys into powerful modifiers for shortcuts and macros, enabling a highly flexible input system.
Overall, the design prioritizes customization and functionality over minimalism, resulting in a deeply personal and highly adaptable keyboard that reflects real-world daily usage. It has even become the creator’s primary daily driver.
See the full project and get your own here!
Not sure when to use solder paste or flux? This video by Curious Scientist (YT) gives a clear beginner-friendly explanation with practical examples under the microscope. Feel free to share if there's anything else you would add. 👀
Good soldering also starts with high-quality PCBs. Bring your electronics projects to life with professional PCB manufacturing from PCBWay!
In this video, Macho Nacho Productions (YT) upgrades a Zelda Game & Watch with internal memory expansion and a microSD card slot, using careful ribbon cable soldering for tight space integration.
Projects like this depend on high-quality custom PCBs to keep everything stable and reliable in such tight space. We offer precision PCB manufacturing for makers and modders. If you're working on something similar, check out PCBWay.com.
Check out this cool project, Open-Source Autonomous Car – Full PCB Design, 3D Chassis by Arouna Patouossa Mounchili!
This open-source autonomous car platform is designed for makers, students, and developers who want to explore real-world robotics and AI applications. Featuring a fully modular design with complete PCB files and a 3D printable chassis, the project combines accessibility with advanced functionality, making it an excellent platform for learning and experimentation in autonomous systems.
Powered by the ESP32-S3-MINI-1 microcontroller with WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, the vehicle integrates multiple sensors for intelligent navigation and perception. These include the VL53L8CX Time-of-Flight LIDAR for obstacle detection and SLAM, the BMI323 IMU for motion tracking, and an Arducam 5MP camera for computer vision tasks. Combined with geared motors, dedicated motor drivers, and efficient power management, the platform delivers a compact yet capable autonomous driving experience. The software stack is written in C/C++ and supports advanced algorithms such as object detection and SLAM, providing a strong foundation for robotics and AI development.
See the full project and get your own here!
This is a rotating 100-LED filament lamp prototype featuring 25 independently spinning sections, creating a dynamic and visually striking lighting effect. The build was developed by Nick Electronics (YT), combining creative mechanical design with custom electronics to bring the concept to life.
We're glad to have supported the development of this project. If you have a similar idea and want to turn it into a real hardware build, feel free to explore PCBWay!
Came across this really cool Pumpkin / Jack o'lantern light by William Harter！
This Pumpkin / Jack o'lantern light is powered by a single 9V battery and automatically cycles through five vibrant colors—red, yellow, blue, green, and pink—changing every five seconds for a fun Halloween display. The project uses a 32,768 Hz crystal for accurate timing and is designed to fit easily inside a plastic Jack o'lantern, while also being suitable for real pumpkins with simple moisture protection for the circuit board.
The design is flexible and supports LEDs of different colors, with adjustable timing options ranging from 5 seconds down to 0.5 seconds through a simple hardware modification. For added protection and easier installation, a plastic tube—such as one from a candy cane container—can also be used to partially cover the PCB. KiCad files for the project are included in the PumpkinLight.zip package, along with a demo video showcasing the colorful lighting effects.
See the full project and get your own here!
🎉 Exciting news!
CadQuery — the powerful Python-based parametric 3D CAD software — now partners with PCBWay. You can now export your design directly as a STEP file and send it straight to our instant quoting page.
Watch the demo here: https://youtube.com/watch?v=AuPr7cgEcTY 🙌