The Bitcoin Hobbyist: Putting Together a Seedsigner
Tags: Bitcoin Wallet, Bitcoin, Bitcoin Diy Seedsigner

Preface:

While listing to Citadel Dispatch e.0.3.3 which can be found here host Matt Odell had two guests on named Seedsigner (anonymous or a nym) and keithmukai. Over the course of two hours they discussed the SeedSigner. A bitcoin wallet device that is able to store your private key and provide a digital signature for when you want to transact with your bitcoin. With the cost of only $50 a person with little to know manufacting skills can buy the parts, assemble, download the software and have a bitcoin wallet that can be used alone (single signature) or in collaborative for a multi signature (multisig) wallet. As a Bitcoin Hobbyist I became intrigued. Sounded like a cool project one can complete in an afternoon. So after the podcast I went to the SeedSigner Twitter page which can be found here then went to the website which can be found here and got to work.

Materials:

Source: https://seedsigner.com/hardware/

SeedSigner makes it very easy to source the materials you will need. In the picture above are all the things you need for your economical bitcoin signing device. As you scroll down the page your find the following:

Source: https://seedsigner.com/hardware/

While this list is the barebones of what you need. I had a little trouble with this. Yes they have all the major components needed for the device but they leave out key materials/tools that you will need to complete your install. I found this out the hard way as I went to install my SeedSinger. For the review. I will break down link by link and throw in some extras you will need to make sure you have everything you need in one big material order. (List of 6 overall topics)

1. For the Adafruit Order:

The Raspberry Pi Zero v1.3 from Adafruit: $5.00 + $4.75 (shipping) + $0.30 (Sales Tax) = $10.50 GPIO Hammer Headers — Solderless from Adafruit: $6.50 + $4.75 (shipping) + $0.39 = $11.64

If you do not have skills with soldering it is in best interest to pick up the GPIO Hammer Headers to install that 20 pin connector. When you look at the pictures you would assume that the Raspberry Pi Zero would come with the 20 pin connector already installed but NOPE!! you have to install it your self. So this set my install back a week and increased my cost for the device since I had to pay for shipping twice.

2. For the Waveshare order:

LCD Hat (240 x 240 1.3 inch IPS LCD Display HAT for Raspberry Pi. from Waveshare: $13.99 + $6.00 (shipping) = $19.99

This order was pretty straight forward. No surprises with this part. The only thing that is annoying about Waveshare is that you have to create an account to order form the site. They do not have a guest checkout option.

3. For the Amazon Order:

Aokin for Raspberry Pi Camera Module, 5MP 1080p with OV5647 Sensor Video Camera Module for Raspberry Pi Model A/B/B+, Pi 2, Raspberry Pi 3 3B+, Pi 4. from Amazon= $9.59 + $0.58 (Sales Tax) = $10.17

No issues here quick and easy getting this part.

4. mini SD Memory Card:

SeedSigner doesn’t give you a link for this. My guess is they assumed SeedSigner builders can source their own mini-SD memory card. For my installation I had spare laying around but be sure not to forget to add this to your materials. With out this mini-SD memory card which loads the software the SeedSigner will not work. A 32 GB card would be fine. you can find one here on Amazon as of this writing it is $10.00.

5. Case (Optional)

Seed Signer Pill from CryptoCloaks: $34.99

Since I wanted my SeedSigner to be fancy. I went ahead and ordered. a case from cryptocloaks. Keep in mind having this case will bust your budget for the $50 target but if you have extra fiat laying around I believe it is worth the investment. It will come with everything you need to complete your assembly.

6. USB cable (Can be Type C to Micro B or Type A to Micro B)

SeedSigner leaves this out as well. You will need this USB cable to power up your SeedSigner. You can find a really cheap one here.

And that should take care of all the materials.

Tools

Hammer (for the GIPO Hammer Headers) if not then: Solder iron mini screw driver

SeedSigner doesn’t mention all the tools you will need to complete your install 1 and 2 are interchangeable but one or the other is needed and item 3 is needed if you are going to order a case from CryptoCloaks. I luckily had one laying around from a previous project I did but here is one from Amazon that will work well. As of this writing the cost is $7.99

Assembly

SeedSigner does a really good job showing you how to assemble the unit. The video can be found here. The video is a little under 9 minutes or so and it has no sound. But what I liked most about this project is how simple it is to do.

Before you start make sure you flash the software to the micro -SD card. Since it will be tucked away into your case, you will need to install it before hand. The link to the software can be found here.

Source: https://seedsigner.com/software/

Be sure to have Balena Etcher on a laptop/desktop. It is needed (and very common software used in Bitcoin DIY space) to put the software on the mini-SD Card.

When first saw this I was in shock that I needed to solder. After contacting SeedSigner on Twitter they suggested the GPIO Hammer Headers and invited me to the Telegram group ( a big YAY! here for customer service, usually it is bad in the Bitcoin space). After reading mixed results with the Hammer Headers (some went smoothly others had bent their pins) I gave it a shot. SeedSigner doesn’t have a video on how to install the 20 pin connector using GPIO but when you order the part a link to the video on how to install is printed on the bag. The video can be found here

Source: Author

Since the idea for this review came after the fact I don’t have actual photos of my install but the key point here is hammering these pins in take some time and force. Be patient and follow the video provided by the vendor. The video is 35 minutes long but you only need to watch about the first 9 minutes of it. Keep tapping until all the male pins are through the holes in the Raspberry Pi.

After getting past the solder/hammering. the rest of the video is really easy to follow. I did get caught up with screwing the Raspberry Pi to the CryptoCloaks case but I was using the wrong screws. In the video the risers are grey and the screws are black. But my CryptoCloaks set came with longer silver screws and shorter black screws and white risers. Once I saw my parts were different than those in the video the install went smoothly from there.

When installing the case be sure not to clamp the case down too tightly. If you do the joystick will not work properly making the SeedSigner non-functional. So if you have issues lift up the case a bit and then the joystick will fall into place and give you better navigation control.

When complete you will have left over parts. Extra camera ribbon. Screws that came with the Raspberry Pi. The installation kit and female pin set for the GPIO Hammer Header set. You can toss these aside or store them for the future.

Conclusion

Source: Author

SUCCESS!! Overall cost: $87.29 (not including mini-SD card and Screwdriver)

After all that I was able to complete my SeedSigner. A great sense of accomplishment came over me. Like YESS I did it and it worked. For power it will need to be connected to a computer or another power source. ( it wouldn’t power up with a battery bank, USB outlet, or USB Plug) Suprising to me it did work with CoinKite’s cold power using a 9volt battery. If you are interesting in powering your SeedSigner with that it can be found here. As of this writing it sells for $19.99 but it ships from Canada and shipping can be pricey on this site.

Well there you have it! A great project, a great product, at a competitive price. A very useful device you can use to safely store your bitcoin. I want to thank Matt Odell for giving me that push to go out and give this a try. If you truly wish to know about this project in-depth I encourage you to listen to the Citadel Dispatch episode above. Stuff like this is why I am addicted to the Bitcoin space and how it is truly amazing to see people innovate with cost in mind so all people of all economic statuses can secure their bitcoin safely.

Hobbyist Out!