Learn to build an Attachécade wiring harness and design custom PCBs using KiCad with John Park. (Illustrative AI-generated image).
- What's in Today's Episode?
- The Attachécade Wiring Harness: What It Is and Why It Matters
- KiCad Adapter Design: A Beginner-Friendly Walkthrough
- Tool Tips from the Workshop
- Retro Gear and PC Engine / TurboGrafx CD Games on Fruit Jam
It’s 4pm ET and John Park is ready to build. Right now, on the Adafruit live stream, a Thursday afternoon ritual is unfolding. Hobbyists, tinkerers, and retro gaming fans from around the world are gathering in the Discord chat. Their soldering irons are warming up. Their curiosity is turned all the way up to 11.
Today’s episode of John Park’s Workshop is packed with projects you can actually follow along with at home. The main event? An Attachécade wiring harness. That sounds technical, but it’s really about making your custom arcade machine’s insides neat, reliable, and easy to work on. We’ll also walk through designing a custom adapter board in KiCad, a free tool for making printed circuit boards (PCBs). Plus, John shares his workshop tool tips, shows off some retro gear, and fires up PC Engine and TurboGrafx CD games on a project called Fruit Jam.
If you have ever wanted to build your own arcade controller, organize cables like a pro, or design your first circuit board, this is the perfect place to start. Let’s break down what you can learn from today’s live show and how to apply it to your own projects.
What’s in Today’s Episode?
The live broadcast starts at 4pm ET (that’s 1pm PT for West Coast makers). It runs for about an hour, but the learning doesn’t stop when the stream ends. The video stays on YouTube for catch-up viewing.
Here is the lineup for June 25, 2026:
- Projects – Attachécade wiring harness: Build a custom cable setup for a portable arcade.
- KiCad adapter design: Learn how to create a small circuit board that lets you connect different kinds of hardware.
- Tool Tips: John shares quick tricks he uses in his own workshop, from wire stripping to soldering posture.
- Retro Gear: A look at classic hardware that still inspires modern builds.
- PC Engine / TurboGrafx CD games on Fruit Jam: See how to run old-school CD games on a modern retro gaming system called Fruit Jam.
Each segment is designed to be beginner-friendly. John explains every step as he goes. If you get lost, the live chat is there to help. And if you miss something, you can rewind the stream later.
The Attachécade Wiring Harness: What It Is and Why It Matters
The Attachécade is a popular open-source project for building a portable arcade machine. Think of it as a handheld console that plays classic arcade games. But like any custom build, the inside can quickly become a mess of wires.
That is where the wiring harness comes in. A wiring harness is basically a bundle of cables, connectors, and sleeves that keeps everything tidy. Instead of having 20 loose wires flopping around inside your project, you group them together. It is like a comb for your cables.
Why does this matter for your own projects?
First, it makes troubleshooting way easier. When a button stops working, you can trace a single harness instead of following a spiderweb of individual wires. Second, it reduces electrical noise. Wires that are bunched together and shielded are less likely to pick up interference from nearby components. Third, it looks professional. A clean interior makes you proud of your work.
During the live stream, John shows how to build a wiring harness for the Attachécade step by step. He starts with a plan. He measures the distances between the buttons, the joystick, and the main board. Then he cuts wires to the right length, strips the ends, and crimps connectors onto each one.
Pro tip: Use different colored wires for different signals. Red for power, black for ground, and other colors for each button. This makes future repairs much easier. John also uses heat shrink tubing at each connection point to prevent shorts.
The harness is built off the main board so you can plug it in and out. That means if you ever want to upgrade the board or fix a button, you don’t have to re-solder everything. Just unplug the harness, do your work, and plug it back in. This modular approach is a hallmark of good maker design.
You can follow along even if you are not building an Attachécade. The techniques apply to any project that uses buttons, joysticks, or sensors. Arcade sticks, synthesizer control panels, custom keyboards – the same wiring principles work everywhere.
KiCad Adapter Design: A Beginner-Friendly Walkthrough
Now we move from wires to circuit boards. One of the most exciting parts of today’s episode is the KiCad adapter design segment. KiCad is a free, open-source software for designing electronic circuits and printed circuit boards (PCBs). You can download it on Windows, Mac, or Linux. It is used by hobbyists and professionals alike.
In the live stream, John designs a small adapter board. An adapter board lets you connect two things that were not originally meant to fit together. For example, you might have a vintage joystick port and a modern USB controller chip. An adapter board bridges the gap.
Why KiCad?
KiCad used to have a steep learning curve, but recent versions are much friendlier. The 2026 version includes improved symbol libraries, better 3D previews, and a simpler schematic editor. John shows you exactly how to start a new project: pick a component from the library, place it on the schematic, draw wires between the pins, and then switch to the PCB layout view to arrange everything physically.
He walks through each step slowly. First, he adds the connectors he needs (a male header and a female header). Then he adds a few resistors and capacitors for power filtering. He labels each net (that is just a fancy word for a wire connection) so the computer knows what connects to what.
Pro tip: Use the built-in electrical rules checker in KiCad. It scans your design for common mistakes like unconnected pins or short circuits. John runs the checker multiple times during the design. It catches errors before you ever send the file to a PCB manufacturer.
Once the schematic is done, he moves to the PCB layout. He shows how to drag components into position, how to route traces (the copper lines that act as wires on the board), and how to add a ground plane (a large area of copper that helps reduce noise). He keeps the board small and simple. For beginners, simpler is always better.
At the end of the segment, John exports the Gerber files. Gerber files are the industry-standard format that PCB factories use to manufacture your board. He uploads them to a low-cost prototyping service. In a few days, a real custom circuit board arrives in the mail. You can do this too. Many services will make a small batch of boards for under $20 including shipping.
The key takeaway: custom adapter boards are not just for experts. With KiCad and a little practice, you can create exactly the connector you need for any project.
Tool Tips from the Workshop
Every episode includes a quick Tool Tips segment where John shares practical advice he has picked up over years of making. Today’s tips focus on three things: soldering technique, wire stripping, and using helping hands.
Soldering iron temperature: John recommends keeping your iron at 350 degrees Celsius (about 660 Fahrenheit) for most through-hole work. That is hot enough to melt solder quickly but not so hot that you risk damaging the board or components. He also suggests cleaning the tip on a damp sponge every few joints.
Wire stripping: Use a self-adjusting wire stripper. It strips the insulation without cutting the copper strands underneath. John shows a trick: after stripping, twist the strands gently, then tin them with a little solder before inserting them into a connector. Tinned wires are easier to crimp and less likely to fray.
Helping hands: Those little metal gadgets with alligator clips are lifesavers. John uses two of them when soldering a wiring harness. One holds the connector, the other holds the wire. This frees up both your hands to handle the iron and the solder. If you do not own helping hands, you can improvise with a small vise or even modeling clay.
Pro tip: Invest in a fume extractor. Soldering releases fumes that are not good to breathe. A simple fan with a charcoal filter placed near your work area makes a big difference. Your lungs will thank you after years of making.
These tips might sound basic, but they are the foundation of good work. John emphasizes that you do not need expensive tools. A $30 soldering iron, a pair of flush cutters, and a multimeter are enough to start most projects. Upgrade only when you know what you need.
Retro Gear and PC Engine / TurboGrafx CD Games on Fruit Jam
The show takes a turn into retro gaming territory. John pulls out some classic hardware from the late 1980s and early 1990s: the PC Engine (released in Japan by NEC) and its North American cousin, the TurboGrafx-16. These machines were the first consoles to use CD-ROMs for games, which allowed for bigger worlds and better sound.
Today, these old consoles are hard to find and even harder to maintain. The CD drives wear out, capacitors leak, and game discs get scratched. That is where Fruit Jam comes in. Fruit Jam is an open-source retro gaming system that runs on modern hardware like a Raspberry Pi or a small FPGA board. It can emulate the original console hardware, including the CD-ROM add-on.
John demonstrates how to load a PC Engine CD game into Fruit Jam. He shows the menu system, how to map controls, and how to adjust display settings for a CRT-like look. The game loads quickly and runs smoothly. For a moment, it feels like 1990 again, but with HDMI output and save states.
Why now? Retro gaming is experiencing a resurgence. People want to play the games they grew up with, but on modern TVs without the hassle of original hardware. Fruit Jam and similar projects help preserve these games for a new generation. They also allow makers to add custom features, like wireless controllers or RGB lighting.
John also talks about the broader retro gear scene. He shows a modified original Game Boy with a backlit screen and a rechargeable battery. He explains how to source old cartridges and how to clean their contacts with isopropyl alcohol. The retro gear segment is not just about nostalgia. It is about seeing old hardware as a platform for new creativity.
Pro tip: If you want to play CD games on Fruit Jam, you need to legally dump the game data from your original discs. This is a one-time process that requires a PC with a CD drive. Once dumped, you can store the files on a microSD card and load them on Fruit Jam anytime. John shows the dumping process on stream.
How to Join the Live Chat and Community
The live show is not just a broadcast. It is a conversation. The community gathers in the Adafruit Discord server, a free chat platform. During the stream, hundreds of viewers type questions, share their own builds, and help each other troubleshoot.
Joining is easy. Go to adafru.it/discord on your phone or computer. Create a free account if you do not have one. Then look for the John Park’s Workshop channel. That is where the action happens every Thursday at 4pm ET. You can watch the stream on YouTube, Twitch, Periscope (on Twitter), or Facebook – the same link works on all platforms, but the chat is on Discord.
What makes the live chat special?
First, direct access to John. He reads questions from chat during the show. If you are stuck on a wiring step or confused about a KiCad feature, just type your question. He often answers in real time, right on the stream.
Second, peer learning. Other makers in the chat share their experience. Someone might post a photo of their own Attachécade build from last week. Another person might link to a tutorial for a specific KiCad trick. The community is friendly and welcoming. No question is too basic.
Third, show notes and links. After the stream, the Discord channel stays active. John posts links to the parts he used, the KiCad files, and the schematics. You can download everything he designed on air. That makes it easy to replicate the project at home or adapt it for your own needs.
If you miss the live show, the YouTube archive is your friend. Every episode is saved on the Adafruit YouTube channel. You can search for past topics like coffee robot builds, LED dance shoes, or synthesizer mods. The archive is a goldmine of maker knowledge.
Next Steps for Your Own Projects
So you watched the show (or read this guide). Now what? Here are concrete steps you can take this weekend to start making.
1. Plan your own Attachécade wiring harness.
Grab a notebook and sketch your build. List every button, switch, and LED. Decide which wires go where. Order a pack of dupont connectors, 22-gauge wire in multiple colors, and heat shrink tubing. Total cost: under $15. Watch John’s segment again on YouTube while you work.
2. Try KiCad with a simple project.
Download the latest version of KiCad from kicad.org. Follow along with John’s adapter design (links in the Discord show notes). Start by drawing a schematic for a simple LED blinky circuit. Just an LED, a resistor, and a battery connector. Then lay out the PCB. Even if you never manufacture it, you will learn the workflow. The first time you see your own circuit board design on screen, it feels magical.
3. Explore Fruit Jam for retro gaming.
If you have a Raspberry Pi, download the Fruit Jam image and flash it onto an SD card. Plug in a USB controller and a monitor. Load a few legal game dumps (use your own CDs or download public-domain homebrew games). Explore the settings. Try adding a case or custom artwork. The community forums are full of inspiration.
4. Join the Discord and share your progress.
Even if you are not building yet, just being in the chat is motivating. Introduce yourself. Ask a question. Post a photo of your messy workbench. The community loves to see what people are working on. You might get a tip that saves you hours of frustration.
5. Tune in next Thursday.
John Park’s Workshop is every Thursday at 4pm ET. Mark your calendar. The show follows a format: projects, KiCad, tool tips, retro gear, and more. But each week brings a new specific topic. Next week might be a different arcade cabinet, a new KiCad trick, or a deeper dive into Fruit Jam. The only way to stay in the loop is to show up.
Making stuff with your hands is one of the most rewarding things you can do. It is not about being an expert from day one. It is about trying, failing, learning, and trying again. John Park’s Workshop is a perfect companion on that journey. The tools are free. The community is welcoming. The only thing missing is you and your curiosity.
So grab your soldering iron. Open KiCad. Join the chat. Let’s build something together.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is John Park's Workshop LIVE about?
John Park's Workshop LIVE is a live stream event where John Park demonstrates various electronics and retro gaming projects. Today's episode focuses on building an Attachécade wiring harness and designing custom PCBs using KiCad.
What is an Attachécade wiring harness and why is it important?
An Attachécade wiring harness is a bundled set of cables and connectors that organizes the internal wiring of a portable arcade machine. It makes troubleshooting easier, reduces electrical noise, and gives the project a professional look.
What is KiCad and what can you learn about it in the workshop?
KiCad is a free, open-source software used for designing electronic circuits and printed circuit boards (PCBs). In the workshop, John Park demonstrates how to design a custom adapter board using KiCad, walking through the process step-by-step.
When and where can I watch John Park's Workshop LIVE?
The live broadcast starts at 4pm ET on Thursdays and runs for about an hour. You can watch it on the Adafruit live stream, and the video remains available on YouTube for later viewing.
Who is this workshop for?
This workshop is designed to be beginner-friendly, perfect for hobbyists, tinkerers, and retro gaming fans. It's ideal for anyone wanting to build their own arcade controller, organize cables, or design their first circuit board.
What other topics are covered in the episode besides wiring and PCB design?
The episode also includes John Park sharing his workshop tool tips, showcasing some retro gear, and demonstrating how to play PC Engine and TurboGrafx CD games on a system called Fruit Jam.
How can I follow along with the projects if I'm not building an Attachécade?
The techniques shown for the wiring harness apply to many projects that use buttons, joysticks, or sensors, such as arcade sticks or custom keyboards. The principles of organizing wires are universal in electronics projects.
