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my RP2040 macropad

2025, design + build

  • 3d-printing
  • electronics
  • firmware

the problem

store-bought felt boring, so i built my own compact macropad: parts, assembly, soldering, wiring, firmware, all of it documented along the way. for its brain it got my fresh rp2040 dev-board. the RP2040 board i used →

the approach

soldering iron first, questions later: pcb and switch installation, wiring, then firmware with basic key mapping. the full build is on video, the files live in the repo for anyone to reuse.

checking the enclosure and connector openings in CAD before printing.

bare macropad PCB with the switch positions and key labels

the bare board, before the switches go in.

two white 3D-printed halves of the macropad enclosure

the printed enclosure parts, with the mounting posts visible inside.

nine blue mechanical switches mounted in the macropad plate

nine switches fitted; keycaps and the rest of the assembly come next.

the outcome

a working macropad on my desk, and a build video worth watching.

it has earned its desk space ever since.