Clever Steam Machine mod turns the faceplate into something useful

With its interchangeable faceplates, the Steam Machine practically invites users to give Valve's living room PC a personal touch. Anyone with a 3D printer can let their creativity run wild or choose from one of the many existing designs available on sites such as MakerWorld. Reddit user u/NefariousnessWhole25, however, wanted something more. Instead of simply changing the color or material of the front panel, he decided to give it a practical function by turning it into a docking station for the Steam Controller.

The 3D-printed faceplate features an integrated mount for both the Steam Controller and its charging puck. The controller attaches directly to the front of the console, while the puck is primarily held in place by friction inside the faceplate. A small lip prevents it from slipping out at the bottom, while the connected USB-C cable secures the top. An earlier version of the design included a small shelf beneath the controller, but according to the creator, it proved unnecessary. The charging puck's magnets are reportedly strong enough to hold the controller securely on their own.

To keep the cable from sticking out of the top, the maker uses a right-angle USB-C connector. Conveniently, the mount isn't limited to the Steam Machine. It can also be removed and used as a standalone charging dock. The entire model was designed in Autodesk Fusion, and according to NefariousnessWhole25, Valve's publicly released CAD files made the project possible.

Reddit community hopes for printable files

The faceplate isn't quite finished yet. Whether the creator will release the printable files or even offer a finished version for sale remains unclear. Interest certainly seems to be there, though, with several Reddit users saying they would love to print the mount themselves – or simply buy one.