Ever since I blew $100 on the wrong package cpus for one of the smd classes, I’ve been super cautious here. Am happy to help you in this. I don’t need a kit, I have parts in the digikey order.
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Sensibility overtakes my urge to shop…
So I will wait till Tom gets the boards and is able to confirm the parts are OK…
Once that is done I will poll for people that want a kit and will order the parts and put the lits together…
This will add some time but will ensure anyone that gets a kits has no surprises putting it together…
As for the classes to assemble the kits I can certainly help out but we can organize that closer to the time…
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I’ve specifically been wanting to do a small word clock so this sounds boss! Learning SMD sounds great too! I’d rather do this in the form of a kit/workshop coz it keeps my motivation way better, plus it’s fun to work alongside you all!
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PCBs were shipped today. Should be 3 weeks at normal times. Note that I tried to fit 6.5cm x 6.5cm of boards into a 5cm x 5cm fixed price order so it is a lottery what we will end up with. I’ll cover the cost if none are usable.
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I have the PCBs, I think we got 99 good ones, some have an X through them. Not sure when I’ll get a chance to try them, anyone else want to try one?
I’ll give it a go but unless you have the parts to sell me I will have to put a DigiKey/Mouser/Newark order together and that may take a bit…
Hmm, that takes time too 
I’ll see what I can do.
I’d definitely like to try this, but after we unpack so I can use the space. SMD soldering is tricky enough without interested cats constantly trying to get in the way.
I have ordered 20 of the 8x8 LED matrix’s through deal extreme so that will take a few weeks anyways…
I’m working on a list of what else is needed and will try to source from a single vendors…
Tom if possible I’ll pick up one of the PCB’s to make sure the parts I find actually fit before I order them…
Thanks,
Bob
I looked at the parts list and realised I have already ordered (and received) 2 of everything for myself. I’ll build one up in the next week or so, I just have a few things on the go. @ninetynein also offered to help. Since I have the parts I’ll just build one and see what happens, might have to hand over any debugging - I don’t have any displays yet but we can test the RTC and processor without them.
How do we want to split the PCBs? I don’t really want to hold the leftovers, we got 90 or so boards for $CA16.32 - I don’t really want to hold the excess - will probably take a sheet (9) for myself. These are useful as tiny generic uno clones too. Can we make it $1.65 per 9 boards with a 9 board minimum?
I’ll take a board of nine…
I will take 2x 9 boards (total of 18 small boards).
Thanks - a board of nine for me as well please.
One batch of nine here too please!
A quick heads up that I’ll be doing an order this week that I can add parts for this project to. I can’t add other parts as I need to keep the invoice simple so I can expense part of it without complication. Shipping will be free.
I want to built and test first, I am half way through assembly and should finish tonight. If you’re interested in a set of parts (no LEDs) leave a note here and I’ll get in touch with the parts list and price once I verify. It will be sub $20, people not wanting to build the clock can save about $8 by leaving off the clock chip and crystal. More soon.
Sign me up Tom! I’ll take a set of 9 as well.
great, seems like half are taken. Unless people want to pick them up tonight, I’ll hold them until the parts arrive.
Hey Tom,
I’ll take a few sets of parts once you get the details…
Also I have ordered 20 of the displays and will send you some once I get them…
The rest I’ll flog off to whomever wants them…
Bob
Thanks Bob. I ordered two some time back, I think that will do me for now (one per kid was the idea).
Has anyone got thoughts on a portable rechargable power source? My thought was a small 3.7V LiPoly attached via an Adafruit Powerboost 500 that both boosts the 3.7 to 5.0 for the badge (actually 5.2 but that should be fine) and provides a LiPoly charging cct with a USB connector.
I may order the board from Solarbotics unless Lees may have them (but they don’t show them on their website)…
I haven’t found the right sized LiPoly yet
Anyone have a cheaper idea?