All resources
Transcript & details below

3 beginner ESP32 and Arduino projects to 3D print

Three beginner ESP32-C6 desk projects you can 3D print with the same screen: an animated desk buddy, a lever-pulled slot machine, and a clock, weather and message panel. Free guides and files on PrintPal Projects.

Ideas Beginner 0:27 6 views Nov 02, 2026

About this video

One screen, three desk projects

All three builds use the same board: the Waveshare ESP32-C6-LCD-1.47, a microcontroller with a 1.47-inch screen built in. Each has a free step-by-step guide on PrintPal Projects with print files and code you flash from your browser. No soldering is needed.

The projects

Project What it does Cost Difficulty
Slab eyes A desk buddy with animated eyes that blink, glance around and react when you poke it about $18 Beginner
Lucky slab slot machine Pull a printed lever to spin three neon reels. Run out of credits and it's game over about $18 Beginner
Desk command slab A panel with a clock, today's weather and messages you send from your phone about $20 Intermediate

Why they're great first electronics projects

  • One board for everything. Buy the ESP32-C6 screen once and reuse it in each build.
  • Small prints. Each case is 2 to 5 PLA parts that push together without glue or screws.
  • No coding needed to start. Click Flash to board on the project page in Chrome or Edge to load the program. The Arduino source is there when you want to change it.
  • Real lessons. The guides explain game loops, random numbers, Wi-Fi and web servers in plain language, which makes them good STEM projects for kids and classrooms.

FAQ

Do I need to solder?
No. The board drops into the printed case and connects to your computer over USB-C.

Which board should I buy?
The Waveshare ESP32-C6-LCD-1.47 linked in each guide. The cases and firmware are made for that exact board.

Full Transcript

Three electronics projects to build for your desk. Make this desk buddy to keep an eye on you while you work. The guide is on PrintPal project page. All the steps and files are there. Then build a slot machine with the exact same screen. Pull the lever and it spins. Lose all credits and you lose. Or create a data panel for time, weather, or messages with fully custom theme. Try any of these on PrintPal yourself.