NucDeck
The Open Source DIY Handheld Gaming PC!
--- WARNING - PCB's and software incomplete. Begin at your own risk! ---
Refer to "NucDeck Assembly Instructions.PDF" for mechanical assembly details. Information for the electronics will be added once the controller PCB's are complete.
There are two different versions of the housing, Standard and NoRGB. The NoRGB version has had the RGB joystick surrounds removed to simplify printing. If you choose the NoRGB version you can leave all of the associated components off the PCB's to save on cost.
There are two different versions of the buttons, membrane and clicky. The Membrane buttons are shorter and are designed to be used with silicone membranes. I've included files for molds to make the membranes. If you have a resin printer I encourage you to give this a try as it improves the feel of the buttons dramatically. FDM printers will struggle to produce the accuracy required to make these parts. The clicky version is slightly taller and can be used without the membranes.
Project Status
- 3D Files
- Software: Controller Prototype Functional but not complete
- PCBs: Controller PCB's functional. Battery management still under development
Watch the series on Youtube as I design, build and test parts of this project:
I've found links for all of the parts on Aliexpress since its probably the cheapest option and will ship worldwide.
Parts List
Display
Any 1024x600 50 Pin RGB Panel with overall dimensions no greater than 164.9x100x3.3mm. This is the 700nit IPS panel I ended up using: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005315348504.html
Display Driver
Pick the "PCB800812V1" option: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004252996145.html
USB Touch Controller
Pick option "USB Controller": https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32976239800.html
Capacitive Touch Panel
This is the seller I used, but anyone selling for the same model tablet (Pritom K7) should do: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002490383977.html
Joysticks
Joysticks are an Alps RKJX21224001. Here's a cheap seller on aliexpress: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005264696228.html
Batteries
4x 605080 3000mah Lithium cells. Here's a cheap supplier on Aliexpress: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32990176071.html
Info Screen
0.96" IPS 80x160 ST7735 TFT Display
You need the one these guys refer to as "Spliced Type". https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001598020071.html
Threaded Inserts
17x M2x4x3.2 10x M3x5x5 2x M3x4x5 https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003582355741.html
Standoffs
10x M2x6mm Male to Female Standoffs https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001271908929.html
Trigger Springs
--NOTE-- Ignore the wire thickness in the Assembly Drawing, it is incorrect. I will fix it when I next need to make changes. Correct thickness listed here. These guys have a lot of different options, they are pretty cheap so I'd grab a few different wire thicknesses and test them out to see what you like. You need about 2mm ID on the coil section, so look for an ID of at least double the wire thickness greater than 2mm. I found 0.4mm to feel a bit too thin, and 0.7mm is about the limit of the trigger supports so 0.5-0.6mm is probably the sweet spot. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004968066601.html
Trigger Magnets
You'll never need fridge magnets again! https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003794726533.html
RGB Lights
You'll need both RGB LED's and WS2811 IC's if you're adding RGB to your controller PCB's. These are the LED's I used. Any alternative in the same sized package should be fine too, just be cautious of differing pin configurations. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003719602946.html
WS2811 IC's: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32844615804.html
Screws
Here's a list of the screws required for assembly. This list is also in the assembly instructions. SCHS is just a standard allen key head screw. CSK is a countersunk head screw. Most bolt suppliers should have these, otherwise ebay or aliexpress is your friend.
12x M3x6mm SHCS 2x M2x16 CSK 9x M2x5 CSK 14x M2x4 SHCS
PCB's
Controller PCB's will be uploaded as part of the next batch of files once I have the designs tested and finalised.