โฑ๏ธ Your Schedule
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๐จ Design &
Days 1โ3
๐ PCB Layout
Days 4โ6
โณ Case Design
Days 7โ9
๐ง Assembly
Days 10โ12
๐ป Firmware
Days 13โ15
โ
Standard 15-day guide โ one comfortable session per day.
๐ Build Overview
๐ Shopping List
What You'll Need
Component
What to Buy
Est. Cost
Type
Microcontroller Raspberry Pi Pico (RP2040) โ Buy $4โ$8 Must Have Key Switches 6ร Gateron Yellow / Brown switches โ AliExpress $5โ$10 Must Have Keycaps 6ร MX-compatible keycaps โ KBDFans $5โ$15 Must Have RGB LEDs 6ร SK6812 MINI-E (south-facing) โ AliExpress $2โ$5 Must Have Rotary Encoders 2ร EC11 encoder with push-click โ AliExpress $2โ$4 Must Have Diodes 10ร 1N4148 SOD-123 SMD diodes $1โ$2 Must Have PCB Fabrication 5 boards from JLCPCB โ JLCPCB or PCBWay โ PCBWay $5โ$12 Must Have Solder + Iron Pinecil or TS101 iron recommended โ Pinecil $20โ$35 Must Have USB-C Socket 1ร USB-C female SMD or THT connector $1โ$3 Must Have Reset Switch 1ร 6mm tactile push button (THT) $0.50 Must Have Encoder Knobs 2ร 6mm shaft metal/plastic knobs $2โ$6 Nice to Have 3D Printed Case PLA/PETG filament or JLCPCB 3D print โ JLCPCB 3D $3โ$8 Nice to Have
โ ๏ธ Order PCB on Day 3!
JLCPCB fabrication + shipping = 7โ10 days. Everything else happens while you wait.
๐ Resources
Your Essential Links
๐
Build Plan
Your 15-Day Build Timeline
DAYS 1โ3
๐จ Design & Planning
Phase 1
Day 1 SAME DAY โฒ
Plan Your Layout
Sketch your key arrangement on paper before touching software. This 5-min step saves hours!
Sketch layout: 2ร3 key grid + 2 knobs positioned above
Choose switch type: tactile Brown, linear Yellow/Red, or clicky Blue
Decide USB-C port placement (top edge recommended)
Download and install KiCad โ free PCB design software
Day 2 SAME DAY โฒ
Learn KiCad Basics
Watch one good tutorial. Download the keyboard footprint libraries. Understand schematic vs PCB editor.
Watch 1 beginner KiCad keyboard PCB tutorial on YouTube
Download ai03's MX switch footprint library from GitHub
Download EC11 rotary encoder KiCad footprint
Understand schematic editor vs PCB layout editor difference
Day 3 SAME DAY โฒ
Draw Your Schematic
Logical wiring diagram only โ not physical layout yet. Connect every component to the MCU.
Place all symbols: MCU, 6 switches, 6 diodes, 2 encoders, 6 RGB LEDs
Wire switch matrix: switch โ diode (cathode toward column) โ column pin
Wire RGB daisy chain: MCU GP โ LED1 DIN โ LED1 DOUT โ LED2 DIN...
Wire encoder A, B, SW pins to free GPIO pins
Run ERC (Electrical Rules Check) โ fix every error before proceeding
DAYS 4โ6
๐ PCB Layout & Order
Phase 2
Day 4 SAME DAY โฒ
Physical PCB Placement
Import footprints from schematic and place them physically on your board.
Open PCB editor โ "Update PCB from Schematic" to import all footprints
Draw board outline on Edge.Cuts layer (~90mm ร 72mm for this layout)
Place 6 MX switch footprints in 2ร3 grid (19.05mm standard MX spacing)
Place 2 EC11 encoder footprints above the key grid
Place SK6812 LEDs under each switch (south-facing orientation)
Place MCU and USB-C socket โ USB-C must reach the board edge
Day 5 SAME DAY โฒ
Route Traces & Ground Pour
Connect everything with copper traces. Add a ground pour for a cleaner, pro result.
Route switch matrix: columns on F.Cu, rows on B.Cu using vias to cross
Route RGB data chain between LEDs (short traces, same layer if possible)
Use 0.5mm traces for power (VCC/GND), 0.25mm for signal lines
Add GND copper pour on both layers (Edit โ Fill All Zones)
Run DRC (Design Rules Check) โ zero errors before export!
Day 6 SAME DAY โฒ
Export Gerbers & Order! ๐
Add silkscreen, export Gerbers, and place your order. Boards arrive in ~7 days!
Add silkscreen labels: SW1โSW6, ENC1, ENC2, board name on F.Silkscreen layer
File โ Plot โ Select all layers โ Click Plot (generates Gerber files)
Generate Drill Files in Excellon format into same folder
ZIP the Gerber folder โ upload to JLCPCB โ order 5 boards ($5โ10)
Order all components from AliExpress/LCSC while you're at it
๐ก Waiting for your PCB is totally normal Use the next phase to design your case and set up firmware โ don't sit idle!
DAYS 7โ9
โณ Case Design + Firmware Prep
Phase 3
Day 7 SAME DAY โฒ
Design Case Bottom Shell
Use Fusion 360 (free for personal use) or Tinkercad (browser, no install).
Create bottom plate matching PCB outline + 2mm border wall
Add 4 standoff posts at PCB corner mounting holes (M2, 5mm tall)
Build side walls 8โ10mm tall around the PCB
Cut USB-C slot in the appropriate side wall
Day 8 SAME DAY โฒ
Design Switch Plate + Export STL
The plate is what you see on top. Switches snap into it. This is the visible face of your build!
Create flat plate matching PCB outline (~1.5mm thick)
Cut 14mm ร 14mm openings at each MX switch position
Cut 7mm round holes for encoder shafts
Export both pieces as .STL and send to printer or JLCPCB 3D print
Day 9 SAME DAY โฒ
Set Up QMK Environment
Install QMK and scaffold your firmware project while the PCB is in transit.
Install QMK MSYS (Windows) / Homebrew QMK (Mac) / apt QMK (Linux)
Run: qmk setup โ initializes your build environment
Run: qmk new-keyboard โ scaffolds a new keyboard project
Write down every GPIO pin assignment from your schematic (needed for config.h)
Browse QMK example keyboards in qmk_firmware/keyboards/ for inspiration
DAYS 10โ12
๐ง Assembly & Soldering
Phase 4
Day 10 SAME DAY โฒ
PCB Arrives โ Inspect & Solder SMD
Your boards are here! Inspect carefully, then solder the smallest parts first.
Inspect all pads under good lighting โ check for shorts or bare copper
Apply flux to diode pads and solder all 1N4148 SOD-123 diodes
Solder SK6812 MINI-E LEDs โ fast confident strokes, they're heat-sensitive!
Solder 100nF decoupling caps near each LED (prevents flicker)
Day 11 SAME DAY โฒ
Solder Switches, Encoders & MCU
The satisfying step โ your board really starts to look like a macropad!
Snap all 6 switches into the plate, set plate+switches onto PCB
Tack corner switches first to lock alignment, then solder all 12 pins
Solder both EC11 encoders โ 5 signal pins + 2 mounting legs each
Solder Raspberry Pi Pico via pin headers or direct mount
Solder the reset tactile button
Visual inspection: look for cold joints and solder bridges under good light
Day 12 SAME DAY โฒ
First Power-On Test
Check for shorts with a multimeter first โ then plug it in and watch those LEDs glow!
Multimeter in continuity mode: confirm no short between VCC and GND pins
Plug into USB โ MCU should enumerate as USB device (check Device Manager)
Flash basic test firmware โ verify all 6 LEDs light up in sequence
Reflow any cold joints: add flux, briefly reheat with iron tip
โ ๏ธ Soldering Order Matters! Always go smallest to tallest: SMD diodes โ SK6812 LEDs โ switches โ encoders โ MCU. Getting this wrong makes later components very hard to reach.
DAYS 13โ15
๐ป Firmware & Final Assembly
Phase 5
Day 13 SAME DAY โฒ
Write Your QMK Firmware
Configure your keyboard brain โ pins, keys, RGB effects, and encoder actions.
Create keyboard dir: qmk_firmware/keyboards/mymacropad/
Edit config.h: MATRIX_ROW/COL_PINS, WS2812_DI_PIN, ENCODERS_PAD_A/B
Edit keymap.c: assign 6 keycodes (git commit, save, build, run, format, push)
Add encoder_update_user() callback: knob 1 = scroll, knob 2 = volume
Enable in rules.mk: RGB_MATRIX_ENABLE = yes, ENCODER_ENABLE = yes
Build: qmk compile -kb mymacropad -km default โ fix any errors
Day 14 SAME DAY โฒ
Flash, Test & Remap
Flash firmware, test every single input, then dial in your perfect key layout.
Flash: qmk flash -kb mymacropad -km default (hold BOOT while connecting)
Open keyboardtester.com and press every key one-by-one
Test both encoder directions (CW and CCW) and their push buttons
Test RGB: cycle all effects with RGB_MOD key, check every LED
Open VIA or Vial and remap keys to your perfect programmer shortcuts
Day 15 SAME DAY โฒ
Assemble Case & Celebrate! ๐
Final put-together. Your macropad is about to become a real desk companion.
Thread M2 screws through bottom case into PCB standoff posts
Seat the PCB + switch plate assembly into the bottom case
Press encoder knobs onto EC11 shafts (set screw or friction fit)
Press all 6 keycaps firmly onto switch stems
Final plug-in test โ all keys, knobs, RGB perfect? โ
๐ธ Take photos and share on r/MechanicalKeyboards!
๐ You Did It! You've designed a PCB, soldered components, written firmware, and built a real working keyboard. That's proper embedded hardware engineering. Be proud!
๐ Deep Dive
PCB Design Explained
1
Switch Matrix โ Why diodes?
For 6 keys, use a 2ร3 matrix โ 2 rows ร 3 columns = 5 MCU pins instead of 6. Diodes prevent "ghosting" (phantom keypresses) when multiple keys are held. Rule: Row โ switch โ diode โ Column. Diode cathode (stripe side) always points toward the column wire.
2
RGB LED Wiring (Addressable LEDs)
SK6812 and WS2812B LEDs need only one data wire from your MCU! They daisy-chain: MCU GPIO โ LED1 DIN โ LED1 DOUT โ LED2 DIN โ.... Add a 300ฮฉ resistor on the MCU data line and a 100nF bypass cap between VCC and GND near each LED to prevent flickering.
3
EC11 Encoder Pinout
EC11 has 5 pins: A, B, C (GND), SW1, SW2. Connect A and B to MCU GPIOs (pull-ups enabled in firmware). Connect C to GND. SW1+SW2 are the push-click switch โ wire like a regular key switch. Enable ENCODER_ENABLE = yes in QMK rules.mk.
4
RP2040 Pin Recommendation
Suggested: GP0โGP1 = matrix rows, GP2โGP4 = matrix columns, GP5 = RGB data, GP6โGP7 = encoder 1 (A, B), GP8โGP9 = encoder 2 (A, B), GP10โGP11 = encoder push buttons. Write this down โ it goes directly into config.h!
๐ป Code Reference
QMK Firmware Snippets
config.h โ Pin & Feature Configuration
// config.h
#pragma once
#include "config_common.h"
// Matrix: 2 rows ร 3 cols = 6 keys on 5 pins
#define MATRIX_ROWS 2
#define MATRIX_COLS 3
#define MATRIX_ROW_PINS { GP0, GP1 }
#define MATRIX_COL_PINS { GP2, GP3, GP4 }
#define DIODE_DIRECTION COL2ROW
// RGB LEDs
#define WS2812_DI_PIN GP5
#define RGB_MATRIX_LED_COUNT 6
#define RGB_MATRIX_MAXIMUM_BRIGHTNESS 200
// Rotary Encoders
#define ENCODERS_PAD_A { GP6, GP8 }
#define ENCODERS_PAD_B { GP7, GP9 }
#define ENCODER_RESOLUTION 4
keymap.c โ Keys + Encoder Callbacks
// keymap.c
#include QMK_KEYBOARD_H
const uint16_t PROGMEM keymaps[][MATRIX_ROWS][MATRIX_COLS] = {
[0 ] = LAYOUT(
// Row 1: Format, Save, Toggle Sidebar
LSFT(LALT(KC_F)), LCTL(KC_S), LCTL(KC_B),
// Row 2: Build, Run, Custom macro (git push etc)
LCTL(LSFT(KC_B)), KC_F5, KC_F13
)
};
// Encoder: Knob 1 = scroll, Knob 2 = volume
bool encoder_update_user (uint8_t index, bool clockwise) {
if (index == 0 ) {
clockwise ? tap_code (KC_MS_WH_DOWN) : tap_code (KC_MS_WH_UP);
} else {
clockwise ? tap_code (KC_VOLU) : tap_code (KC_VOLD);
}
return false ;
}
๐จ Enable VIA for Live Remapping
Add
VIA_ENABLE = yes to rules.mk. Then visit
usevia.app โ remap keys in your browser with zero reflashing needed!
๐ฆ Case Options
Choose Your Case Style
๐จ๏ธ
3D Printed Sandwich
Two-piece: bottom shell + switch plate. 2โ4 hours to print in PLA or PETG. Most accessible option if you have a printer or a nearby makerspace.
โ
Best for this Build ๐ญ
JLCPCB 3D Print
Upload your STL with your PCB order. They print and ship together. Resin gives incredible detail. No printer needed at all.
๐ No Printer Needed โจ
Acrylic Stack
Layered frosted acrylic panels with M2 standoffs. RGB glows through the sides beautifully. Export DXF from your KiCad board outline for laser cutting.
โจ Stunning with RGB
โ
Final Checklist
You're Done When All Green!
All 6 keys register correctly
Both encoders rotate and click
No PCB shorts (multimeter test)
Firmware flashes without errors
Keycaps pressed on firmly
Case assembled with all screws
Macros tested in real apps
Photos taken for Reddit! ๐ธ