Confirm first
- Gauntlet opening fits spec
- Required electronics are sourced
- Tools are on hand
Verify fit, parts, and tools before you start
Use this page to confirm your gauntlet clearance, exact electronics stack, and required tools before ordering or beginning the build.
Do not order or begin the build until this page checks out.
Reference build hardware
Reference image: Supported electronics and hardware stack used for a standard build.
This page covers
- Compatible gauntlets
- Required parts
- Recommended tools
Do not proceed if
- Your gauntlet is undersized
- Substitute parts change fit
- You are missing critical tools
Three things to sort out before the build starts: whether your gauntlet has the clearance pocket the module needs, what tools you’ll be reaching for at each stage, and the full electronics list with exact part numbers and sourcing links.
Gauntlet Sizing
The gearbox mounts inside the forearm cavity. Your gauntlet must provide a clearance pocket of at least 33mm wide × 100mm long × 16mm deep. All three supported designers meet this at 100% scale or larger.
Recommended Tools
General Workshop Tools
Basic hand tools for shaping, trimming, and fitting the 3D printed parts. Most are common workshop items you may already have.
| Tool | Purpose | Alternative Options | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safety Glasses | Eye protection for cutting, sanding, and resin work | ANSI Z87.1 rated glasses or wrap-around goggles | Amazon |
| Nitrile Gloves | Protects skin from resin, IPA, flux and adhesives | Vinyl or latex (nitrile preferred for chemical resistance) | Amazon |
| Dremel with Cutting Wheel | Cutting 2mm metal rods for axles | Small hacksaw or jeweler’s saw | Amazon |
| Precision Screwdrivers (Flathead & Phillips) | Flathead for terminal blocks; Phillips for PCB and housing screws | Small electronics screwdriver set with both heads | Amazon |
| Nippers/Flush Cutters | Trimming wires, removing 3D print supports | Wire cutters or side cutters | Amazon |
| Precision Pliers | Bending, holding, and positioning small parts | Needle-nose pliers | Amazon |
| Needle Files | Smoothing edges and refining components | Small metal files or sandpaper | Amazon |
| Hobby Knife | Cleaning prints, trimming supports | X-acto knife or craft knife | Amazon |
| 400-800 Grit Sandpaper | Polishing and shaping fiber optic tips | Fine abrasive pad | Amazon |
| Digital Calipers | Measuring parts for proper fit | Ruler or measuring tape | Amazon |
Electrical Tools
Required for all soldering, wiring, and circuit testing. A temperature-controlled soldering station makes a significant difference on fine-gauge 30 AWG work.
| Tool | Purpose | Alternative Options | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soldering Iron | Creating electrical connections | Soldering station (recommended) | Amazon |
| Helping Hands/Third Hand | Stabilizing components during soldering | Small vise or clamps | Amazon |
| Solder | Binding agent for electrical joints | 60/40 or 63/37 rosin-core solder | Amazon |
| Flux | Helps solder flow and bond properly | Flux pen or paste flux | Amazon |
| Brass Wire Cleaner | Keeping soldering iron tip clean | Wet sponge or tip cleaner | Amazon |
| Digital Multimeter | Testing connections and voltage | Basic continuity tester | Amazon |
| Fine-tip Tweezers | Handling tiny LEDs, magnets, and fiber-optic tips | ESD-safe tweezers or dental picks | Amazon |
| Precision Wire Strippers | Cleanly strips 30 AWG and other fine-gauge wires | Micro-stripper, rotary stripper, or single-edge razor | Amazon |
| Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) | Cleaning flux residue and surfaces | 99% concentration preferred | Amazon |
Adhesives and Materials
Consumables for bonding magnets, attaching LED covers, and securing component housings. Small quantities are sufficient for a single build.
| Material | Purpose | Application Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Super Glue (Cyanoacrylate) | Securing magnets in place | Use sparingly, bonds instantly | Amazon |
| Hot Glue Gun & Sticks | Attaching LED covers and housings | Low-temp gun preferred for plastics | Amazon |
Components to Purchase
Component Compatibility
Most mechanical components can be substituted with equivalent parts, but electronic components have strict compatibility requirements due to software dependencies and physical housing constraints.
Critical components with no known substitutes:
- LED Strip: Adafruit Ultra Skinny NeoPixel 1515 LED Strip (exact fit required)
- Microcontroller: Adafruit RP2040 Prop-Maker Feather (software dependency)
- Servo Motor: Must meet exact size/dimension requirements for housing fit
Substitutions may require code modifications: Alternative microcontrollers require source code changes. Future software upgrades may not support substitutions. Technical support is not provided for modified configurations.
Save time & money
Get the complete DIY Electronics Kit
All 15 core electronics and hardware components, pre-sourced and verified for compatibility. No hunting individual parts or worrying about substitutions — everything ships together.
Shop the Kit →Core Electronics
All items below are included in the DIY Kit. If sourcing independently, verify the exact part numbers—substitutions for electronic components are not supported.
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Optional Components and Supplies (not included in DIY Kit)
These extend functionality or help with edge-case installs but are not required for a baseline build. The LiPo battery enables portable operation when a USB-C power source is not preferred, and adhesive hook-and-loop can be used to hold the unit in place if the mounting kit does not fit your gauntlet.
Verify LiPo Polarity: When using a LiPo battery not purchased from Adafruit, confirm the connector pinout and polarity before connecting to the Prop-Maker Feather. Some third-party batteries use non-standard or reversed wiring; connecting with incorrect polarity can permanently damage the microcontroller.
Sourcing and Suppliers
Primary: Adafruit, Digikey US
UK/EU: Digikey UK, thePiHut
Generic parts: Amazon, local electronics stores, hardware suppliers.
Most Adafruit products are available through Digikey’s international distribution network, providing local shipping and support in multiple regions.
3D Printable Files
The complete print package includes 26 parts pre-plated in a single .3MF project file, optimized for PETG at 0.2mm layer height on a Bambu Lab P1S or compatible printer. Purchase the kit to unlock the print file download.
Print files
Log in to your account to access the print files if you’ve purchased the kit.
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