Description
Overview
The Bitaxe DIY Kit contains everything you need to build a fully functional open-source Bitcoin solo miner from components — a hands-on assembly project that results in a real ASIC miner running AxeOS and hashing SHA-256 against the Bitcoin network. The board comes mostly pre-populated, with fewer than 15 components left for you to solder by hand. This is not a PCB-from-scratch build — it is an accessible soldering project designed for enthusiasts with basic to intermediate electronics experience.
Choose your ASIC chip variant at checkout: the BM1397 (Max series, ~400 GH/s), BM1366 (Ultra series, ~500 GH/s), or BM1368 (Supra series, ~600 GH/s). Each kit includes the ASIC chip, ESP32 microcontroller, fan, heatsink, OLED display, and all supporting components. You supply the soldering iron, solder, flux, and a 5V 6A power supply with a 5.5×2.1mm barrel jack.
Building a Bitaxe from a kit is more than an assembly exercise — it is a direct connection to the open-source hardware movement. The Bitaxe design files, firmware, and schematics are all on GitHub. When you build one yourself, you understand every component, every connection, and every line of firmware that goes into a Bitcoin miner. For every kit sold, $10 is donated to Open Source Miners United (OSMU) to fund continued development of open-source mining hardware.
Kit Variants
| Kit | ASIC Chip | Based On | Hashrate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bitaxe Max (100 Series) | 1x BM1397 | Antminer S17 series silicon | 400-450 GH/s |
| Bitaxe Ultra (200 Series) | 1x BM1366 | Antminer S19 XP silicon | 500-550 GH/s |
| Bitaxe Supra (400 Series) | 1x BM1368 | Antminer S21 silicon | 600-700 GH/s |
Specifications (All Variants)
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Board | Bitaxe PCB (mostly pre-populated) |
| Hand-Solder Components | Fewer than 15 components |
| Microcontroller | ESP32-S3 (Wi-Fi, web interface) |
| Firmware | AxeOS (requires initial flashing) |
| Display | 0.91″ OLED (included) |
| Cooling | 40mm fan + heatsink (included) |
| Power Input | 5V DC barrel jack (5.5×2.1mm) — NOT USB-C |
| PSU Required | 5V / 6A DC power supply (NOT included) |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz |
| Mining Type | Solo mining (direct to wallet) |
| License | MIT (open-source hardware) |
| OSMU Donation | $10 per kit sold |
What’s Included
- 1x Bitaxe PCB (pre-populated with SMD components)
- 1x ASIC chip (BM1397, BM1366, or BM1368 — selected at checkout)
- 1x ESP32-S3 module
- 1x 40mm cooling fan
- 1x Heatsink
- 1x 0.91″ OLED display
- All remaining through-hole components for hand soldering
What You Need to Provide
- 5V 6A power supply with 5.5×2.1mm DC barrel jack (available separately in our shop)
- Soldering station — temperature-controlled iron recommended
- Solder and flux — leaded or lead-free, your preference
- Basic soldering skills — if you have soldered through-hole components before, you can build this kit
- ESP32 Programmer (optional but recommended) — for initial firmware flashing. Alternatively, use the ESP Web Flasher tool via the USB-C port
- TC2030-IDC-NL cable from Tag-Connect (required only if using the ESP32 Programmer)
Key Features
- Accessible Build: Fewer than 15 hand-solder components. The SMD work is already done — you handle through-hole connectors, headers, and a few discrete components. Achievable in an afternoon for anyone comfortable with a soldering iron.
- Real ASIC Mining: The finished product is a genuine Bitcoin miner running AxeOS, connecting to solo mining pools, and hashing SHA-256 at hundreds of gigahashes per second. This is not a simulation or educational demo.
- Fully Open-Source: Hardware design files, firmware source, schematics, and BOM are all on GitHub. Inspect every trace, modify every parameter, contribute improvements back to the community.
- Choose Your Chip: Three ASIC variants at different performance and efficiency tiers. The BM1397 is the most forgiving for first-time builders, the BM1368 delivers the highest hashrate.
- OSMU Contribution: $10 from every kit sale goes to Open Source Miners United, funding the ongoing development of open-source mining hardware for the entire community.
Compatibility
- Mining Pools: Any Stratum V1 solo pool — solo.ckpool.org, solo.d-central.tech, public-pool.io
- Wallets: Any Bitcoin wallet with a receive address
- Firmware: AxeOS (requires initial flashing — OTA updates available after first install)
- Power Supply: Any 5V DC, 6A min, 5.5×2.1mm barrel jack
- Accessories: All standard Bitaxe stands, cases, heatsinks, and sockets
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How difficult is the soldering?
If you have soldered through-hole components before — even just a few times — you can build this kit. The SMD components are pre-populated at the factory. You are soldering fewer than 15 through-hole parts: connectors, headers, and discrete components. A temperature-controlled iron and basic flux make it straightforward.
Q: How do I flash the firmware?
Two methods: (1) Use the ESP Web Flasher tool through the Bitaxe’s USB-C port — no special hardware needed, just a web browser and a USB-C cable. (2) Use the ESP32 Programmer with a TC2030-IDC-NL cable for direct serial/JTAG access. Method 1 is simpler for most builders.
Q: Can I power the finished Bitaxe via USB-C?
No. The USB-C port on all Bitaxe models is for firmware flashing and serial console only. Power must come through the 5V DC barrel jack (5.5×2.1mm) using a 5V/6A power supply. This is the most common mistake new builders make.
Q: What if I break something during assembly?
D-Central’s support team can help troubleshoot assembly issues. If you damage a component, replacement parts (OLED displays, fans, heatsinks) are available in our shop. For PCB-level damage, contact our support team — our ASIC repair technicians have seen everything.
Q: Will I receive the exact version listed at checkout?
Yes. The Bitaxe revision and ASIC variant listed at the time of your order is exactly what ships. Board revisions are updated periodically as the open-source design evolves. Orders cannot be held or changed to wait for a future revision.
Q: Is this a finished product or a prototype?
The Bitaxe DIY Kit is a kit version of a production open-source design. The finished miner is fully functional and operates identically to pre-assembled Bitaxe units. The “DIY” aspect is the hand-soldering of remaining components and initial firmware flashing — the design itself is mature, tested, and field-proven across thousands of units worldwide.
Why D-Central
D-Central Technologies has been in the Bitaxe ecosystem since the beginning — the first company to manufacture the Bitaxe Mesh Stand and among the earliest to offer complete Bitaxe builds. Our ASIC repair technicians assemble and test Bitaxe units daily, and our support team can walk you through any build issue you encounter. When you buy a DIY kit from D-Central, you have the backing of a team that knows this hardware at the component level.
Eino Lindfors (verified owner) –
I recently purchased the Supra Kit. I have the special soldering tools available. It was relatively easy to complete the kit and suprisingly, it worked after the first assembly. Often, the ASIC soldering has been challenging to get just right for me. Maybe my skills are getting better! Thanks for making this kit available. It was fun to put together.
Eino Lindfors (verified owner) –
I purchased 3 more of the Supra Kits. All 3 were relatively easy to build. Now, they have even less parts to solder in. You still need a hot-air tool and good low temperature flux. You also have to go online and use the web flasher to update the micro. This worked flawlessly as well. Great product. Thanks for making this available.