# 8-bit Workbench™ ED
Explore the computer byte with this educational device. Toggle in 8 bits and see their decimal, hex or octal value. With game!
- **Seller:** [8BitFlux.com](https://www.lectronz.com/stores/8bitflux-store), Hengevelde, Netherlands
- **Price:** €34.95 (EUR, before shipping and taxes)
- **Availability:** In stock
- **Categories:** Retrocomputing, Kits, Tools
- **Country of origin:** Netherlands
- **HS code:** 8542900000
- **Product page:** https://www.lectronz.com/products/-8bit-workbench-ed
## Options
**SAT-service (Solder, Assemble & Test)**
- No thanks, that's all the fun.
- Yes, please do! [Add €15.00]
**Add a USB-C cable **
- No
- Yes: USB-A to USB-C [Add €5.00] (2 left)
- Yes: USB-C to USB-C [Add €5.00] (2 left)
## Links
- [Documentation](https://8bitflux.com/downloads/8bw-ed-assembly-instructions.pdf)
- [Code](https://8bitflux.com/downloads/8bw-ed-MPLAB-Project-v1.0.zip)
- [Schematics](https://8bitflux.com/downloads/8bw-ed-schematics.pdf)
- [Bom](https://8bitflux.com/downloads/8bw-ed-bom.pdf)
## Images
## Description
**Get hands-on with number systems and explore the computer byte**. Toggle eight bits and see their *decimal*, *hexadecimal* and *octal* value. Annotations at bit-level break down the displayed value and make comprehension easy. Powered by *USB-C* or a *9-volt battery*.
Includes a built-in game: beat the high score by toggling in the correct bits for each number system. A great **s**cience, **t**echnology, **e**ngineering, and **m**athematics (**STEM**) learning kit.
It has been on display at Teardown 2026 in Portland and it will be in a US retro computing magazine this month!
## for Retro Hobbyists
Altair-like input switches take you down memory lane. Select *Octal* mode, play the game and guess the bits. Recall how machines from the seventies did it. Want more? Explore the full 8-bit Workbench™ [*platform*](https://lectronz.com/stores/8bitflux-store#store-section-31) with clocks, byte full adders, hex keyboards and breadboards.
## for Programmers
Have it sitting around on your desk. Especially handy with the low-level work. What is the *hex* value of these bits? How many will fit in a *nibble*? Why is this *backwards relative jump* in assembly going wrong, have I miscounted?
## in the Classroom
Enables *focused* learning by doing, on a dedicated device. A great **STEM-kit**, in the field of *computer science*, *electronics* or *mathematics*. Sample lessons are provided. A game is there for students that need the extra motivation.
The kit is an easy solder exercise with no tiny parts. Launch a course quickly by ordering a pre-assembled batch. Contact us for the possibilities.
## Demonstration
## Functionality
The **mode** button selects one of the three number systems (*decimal*, *hexadecimal* or *octal*) to be displayed by the three digits. Hold the button to turn the digits ON or OFF. Handy for training purposes. The active mode is indicated by a green SMD LED. Please note that the three digits look a little faint on the pictures, this is because of the photography, they are clear and strong in real life.
With a built-in **game**. The objective is to toggle in the bit-value of the random number that is displayed by the digits. Be quick and score higher! The game can be played in each of the three modes. It keeps a separate high score for each mode.
The board operates at 5V, directly from **USB-C** or powered from a **battery** source. An input voltage of 6.5V to 12V is supported and is further regulated on the board. This means a 9-volt block battery can be used or two 18650 Li-Ion batteries. The kit comes with a 9-volt battery clip. It can be stowed away nicely at the back using an integrated cable reel.
## Open Source
At the core of the board there is a microcontroller, the little black rectangle with 28 shiny legs. This little computer runs at 4 MHz and has a small memory of around 2 KB. It comes **pre-programmed** to let the board operate as it is intended to.
For advanced use it can be reprogrammed using the *ICSP* header connector. It can be flashed by USB using a PICKit 3 programmer for example. Make sure to break the two solder jumpers (JP4 & JP5) before doing so.
The firmware source v1.0 for the PIC16F570 microcontroller has been released under the the GNU General Public License version 3. It is available as a zip file containing the MPLAB X IDE project, which contains the C-code and .hex binary.
This way you can create your own games (maybe Snake?), display other/custom number systems or create something else like an interactive periodic table.
## What's in the box?
The **easy to solder kit** includes:
* Bill of Materials (BoM)
* Schematics
* Assembly Manual, guides you trough the process of building the unit in 12 easy to follow steps
* Operation Manual, contains 8 lessons that teach about number systems and give some history of computing, printed as a 16-page booklet in full-color.
* Pre-assembled main PCB with all tiny parts, e.g. the USB-C connector and SMD parts
* Front panel PCB that holds the toggle switches
* Microcontroller, flashed to the latest firmware
* All parts that have to be soldered, like the LEDs, switches, digits and a 9-volt clip
All documentation is provided hard copy. Batteries are not included. The **fully assembled** version does not include the Assembly Manual. The project is on [**Hackaday.io**](https://hackaday.io/project/206154-8-bit-workbench-ed-a-stem-kit-on-number-systems) as well.
## Easy to solder kit
### Contact us
Just send us a message if you have any questions, **we are human**. Determining worldwide shipping costs can be cumbersome, we are always happy to double check, just send us a request to do so for your country. Contact us if you need a **classroom-batch**, to quickly launch a course or when you just don't want to solder it yourself.
## Shipping policy
- Shipping is tracked (you receive the tracking number), unless impossible to your country.
- For USA: package can be tracked with USPS as soon as it is in your country. USA shipping rates include all import duties, which are paid by me (the seller).
- No insurance, my experience is this is a farce anyway.
- Item ships within 3 business days (unless the item is a pre-order campaign, check its duration and lead time).
- Delivery is usually done within 10-15 business days, but may rarely take 4 weeks.