iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Wim Van Gool @wimvangool.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

This looks like a job for @aisler.net 😅 But first I've got to clean up all the routing and finish the production data. For those wondering what this board is, it's another excuse to make a small board, this time with the CH32X035 MCU in a XIAO/QtPy compatible form factor. More details will follow.

Picture of a small white PCB. It's a WCH CH32X035 based TNY board that is compatible with Seeed XIAO and Adafruit QtPy boards.

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Wim Van Gool @wimvangool.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Nothing says "we bought too many of this part" than making mini-USB boards in 2026 😅

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Wim Van Gool @wimvangool.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Dus, waar en wanneer ga je die 7u durende extended editie van jouw show doen? 😅

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Wim Van Gool @wimvangool.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

You can request free replacements for these broken parts directly from LEGO. If you know from which set they came. Apparently they've had quality issues in the past with blue tiles (and other colors). Mine came from the set "4953". Very good customer service from their end.

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Wim Van Gool @wimvangool.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

edatec.cn/storage/file... This might help?

edatec.cn

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Wim Van Gool @wimvangool.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

To say Fri3d Camp was awesome is an understatement... Met, and reconnected, with a lot of wonderful people in the woods. Looking forward to the next edition! 🫣

A view of the main stage tent and large dish lit up with a lot of lights.

A wide shot of the events site at night showing various tents.

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Wim Van Gool @wimvangool.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

I was lucky enough to get these as leftovers from a previous edition of Camp Zone. I will ask if they can disclose their supplier.

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Wim Van Gool @wimvangool.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

I've been working on this USB MIDI controller in between all the work for Fri3d Camp. The resulting device is so much fun to play with. It's powered by a WCH CH32X035 USB microcontroller and has 64 WS2812C LEDs. 3D printable and laser cuttable housing are finished. Next step: CNC enclosure

A closeup shot underneath the silicone keypad of the Blooppad Maxx.

Close up of the heart of the device. The CH32X035 microcontroller

Overview of the finished devices. 2 are shown. One with a 3D printed enclosure and one with a matte acrylic laser cut cover.

Blooppad Maxx connected to a PC running sequencer software. The interface is Web MIDI which is supported by various modern browsers.

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Wim Van Gool @wimvangool.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

They use a MOSFET as an ideal diode. Hardly any voltage drop over the MOSFET if you have one with a relatively low Rdson. If you're powering a board from a battery and want to get the most out of it, try looking at buck converters. (As a module or discrete)

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Wim Van Gool @wimvangool.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Playing with USB MIDI on the (prototype) Blooppad Maxx. This PCB has a WCH CH32X035 microcontroller, 64 WS2812C LEDs and an 8x8 silicone button array. I have no musical talent whatsoever. Bit having 64 buttons with RGB LEDs is right up my alley. Alternative USB HID firmware is in the works.

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Reposted by Wim Van Gool

KiCad EDA @kicad.org · 22/07/2026

KiCad v11 will be gaining geometric constraints. This is based on the excellent library by @freecadnews.bsky.social planegcs. You can test-drive this feature in today's nightly builds downloads.kicad.org/kicad/

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Wim Van Gool @wimvangool.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

Filling up flux syringes for Fri3d Camp makes me feel like a drug dealer somehow...

A box containing multiple 5CC syringes filled with flux and a short medal dosing needle.

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Wim Van Gool @wimvangool.bsky.social · 02/05/2026

I would assume 1.9~2.0mm thick PCBs. Or at least, that's how I did it back in the day 😅

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Reposted by Wim Van Gool

Jason Coon @evilgeniuslabs.org · 20/04/2026

Looking for an active marketplace for makers that hasn't been down for a week for unannounced yet "scheduled" maintenance, that uses via Stripe instead of PayPal, has VAT handling, doesn't throw '504 Gateway Timeout' errors every time you try to update stock, etc? It's @lectronz.com: lectronz.com

lectronz.com

Welcome to the maker market!

Lectronz.com is a marketplace for electronic enthusiasts with a focus on the open-hardware and DIY electronics community.

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Wim Van Gool @wimvangool.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

And you forgot to mention the very responsive and awesome developer behind this as well!

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Reposted by Wim Van Gool

abadidea @0xabad1dea.infosec.exchange.ap.brid.gy · 02/04/2026

IT'S HAPPENING GITHUB, THE FIRST ENTERPRISE CLOUD SOLUTION TO REACH ZERO NINES RELIABILITY mrshu.github.io/github-statuses #github

uptime graph reading: 95 incidents in last 90 days - 89.91% uptime

classic meme image: "it's happening" with Ron Paul laser show

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Wim Van Gool @wimvangool.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

We bakken wel verse frietjes voor iedereen... 😉

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Wim Van Gool @wimvangool.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

I ran out of time to come up with a design for the silkscreen for the 8x8 midi controller... 🤷

Assembled PCB for an 8x8 midi pad based around the CH32X035 microcontroller. The back side of this large PCB reads "This side was intentionally left blank"

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Wim Van Gool @wimvangool.bsky.social · 15/02/2026

Oh yes, keep your distance. Die dingen zijn gigantisch 😅 Verder nog aanraders: rendier en eland worsten 🤤

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Wim Van Gool @wimvangool.bsky.social · 15/02/2026

Ziet er een prachtige trip uit! Vroeger meerdere zomervakanties met de mobilhome door Noorwegen getrokken. In het noorden van Noorwegen goed opletten op de "autostrades" (kleiner dan de gemiddelde steenweg in België) voor dieren (kuddes schapen / rendieren / elanden / ...) achter de bocht.

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Wim Van Gool @wimvangool.bsky.social · 07/02/2026

Is it related to the use of OpenClaw?

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Wim Van Gool @wimvangool.bsky.social · 22/01/2026

IKEA Samla boxes in various sizes depending on the project. Not really ESD safe, but perfect for the purpose. Especially since they now have latching lids. For SMD parts I use a lot I use the robinstools cut tape holders.

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Wim Van Gool @wimvangool.bsky.social · 20/01/2026

Brother has some nice printers as well if your budget is a bit constraint but still want a good printer. for commercial use I can second the Brady choice. You get what you pay for.

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Wim Van Gool @wimvangool.bsky.social · 15/01/2026

Does that come with a bitter aftertaste? Or with sides of regret?

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Wim Van Gool @wimvangool.bsky.social · 15/01/2026

So how is it going? Have you started yet? 🫣

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Wim Van Gool @wimvangool.bsky.social · 24/12/2025

Looks good! Now it's time to test if it can contain the magic smoke or if it releases it!

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Reposted by Wim Van Gool

jonah @jonahedwards.com · 24/12/2025

If you're looking for a nice fireplace video tonight, or really anytime, we have an excellent three-hour fire with lots of crackling on @archive.org -- streaming, or to download for later: archive.org/details/TheB...

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Wim Van Gool @wimvangool.bsky.social · 17/12/2025

Nice solution, I only had the those larger euro boxes available which means the weight is significant. I opted for a 3 layer approach. It fits 12 x Bakon BK-969C soldering stations (JBC C210 compatible)

Bottom layer of the euro box with 12 x main controller of the BK969C solderin stations

Middle layer of the euro box with 12 times the stand for the solder iron and the power cables

Top layers of the euro box containing 2 trays. One with the 12 soldering irons and 12 silicone mats. The other containing 12 of each solder wick, de-solder pump, tweezers, diagonal cutters and solder wire. Also contains 2 multi meters and 2 large rolls of solder.

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Wim Van Gool @wimvangool.bsky.social · 17/12/2025

What have you been searching for recently @clivebagley.bsky.social 🧐?

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Wim Van Gool @wimvangool.bsky.social · 07/12/2025

Don't get me started on silk and assembly layer cleanup 🫣

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Wim Van Gool @wimvangool.bsky.social · 06/12/2025

Oh it's in a whole other league. I can't say how the mouse works since the KeebDeck Basic does not have the touchpad built-in (the next one, KeebDeck Mini, will according to KeebDeck.com) the uConsole keys are higher with longer travel and feel much softer than this.

keebdeck.com

KeebDeck

The KeebDeck Keyboard is a compact (85x48mm) 69-key alphanumeric silicone keypad with an orthogonal layout based on standard PC keyboards. It has all the keys a hacker would expect and a few extra one...

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Wim Van Gool @wimvangool.bsky.social · 05/12/2025

Exactly the same reason why I bought 3 of them 😅 But due to it's size, one has already claimed a permanent spot in my backpack.

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Wim Van Gool @wimvangool.bsky.social · 05/12/2025

This version already contains I²C pads on the bottom (you do need alternative firmware to use those) or you can add the 1mm pitch SMD connector for Qwiic/Stemma QT compatibility.

Close up of the KeebDeck Basic bottom pads for interfacing with an MCU

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Wim Van Gool @wimvangool.bsky.social · 05/12/2025

That @solder.party keyboard everyone is so hyped about arrived. That tactile feel is crazy for a silicone keyboard. It types practically the same like the old Nokia E63 / Blackberry keyboards. Too bad you can't feel it through the photo, but if you're fast @pimoroni.com might have some stock left!

me holding the Solder Party KeebDeck Basic. A silicone based, but very tactile, miniature keyboard with USB-C interface made out of a stack of PCBs.

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Reposted by Wim Van Gool

Lectronz: The new maker marketplace. @lectronz.com · 28/11/2025

Lectronz: Black Friday for Makers! Solder-hot deals on indie hardware all day long. 👉 lectronz.com

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Wim Van Gool @wimvangool.bsky.social · 25/11/2025

Glad you enjoyed the little kit! In the meantime we've also published the how-to guide on the @adafruit.com Learning System blog.adafruit.com/2025/11/24/r... which takes the guesswork out of the assembly process 😅

blog.adafruit.com

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Wim Van Gool @wimvangool.bsky.social · 22/11/2025

Lang leve de black Friday maand! 🤔

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Wim Van Gool @wimvangool.bsky.social · 22/11/2025

The problem with those high dense displays is not just the placement of all the LEDs. Rather the placement of control electronics becomes a problem. Of course, if you're just making a bar graph, you can place that next to the LEDs.

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Wim Van Gool @wimvangool.bsky.social · 22/11/2025

I suggest not waiting too long with deciding, according to the @solder.party @lectronz.com store, stock is currently at 5 pieces 😱 lectronz.com/products/kee...

lectronz.com

KeebDeck Basic

An affordable handheld QWERTY USB keyboard with a silicone keypad.

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Reposted by Wim Van Gool

Solder Party @solder.party · 21/11/2025

Anyone feeling retro? We sure did while working on this cassette tape-inspired case for the KeebDeck Basic! stl files available here: www.printables.com/model/148279...

A photo of a 3d printed case similar to a cassette tape case, but without the reel holder part. The case is standing on its side, open at a 100-ish degree angle, inside is the KeebDeck Basic.

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Wim Van Gool @wimvangool.bsky.social · 19/11/2025

Another productive evening at the Area 3001 hackerspace. Hand assembled 5 PoE+ WLED Light controllers for Fri3d Camp. Paste distribution was not perfect because of the manual alignment and not putting any tension on the stencil. But the boards came out great, no rework needed.

Closeup of a PCB with solder paste applied and some parts already mounted. Picture is showing a set of tweezers mounting a bridge rectifier on the PCB.

Close up of the fine pitch QFN that was soldered on the board.

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