Many people want to get their hands on a Steam Machine, but it’s still not that easy to buy one. Not only did Japan, Taiwan, and other Asian markets sell out quickly upon launch, but North America and Europe are also still using reservation and waitlist systems, with Valve granting purchase eligibility in order. If you can’t buy one, no worries—some netizens abroad have shared a free 1:1 scale 3D print file so you can satisfy your craving. And this 3D print file isn’t just a simple model—it’s a highly practical tissue box.
Image source: MackerWorld
Someone turned a Steam Machine into a tissue box: free download on MakerWorld, with magnetic swappable panels
A Reddit user named itsBoyso posted on the r/steammachine subreddit a few days ago, with the title “I turned a Steam Machine into a tissue box.” The photos he shared show a box that looks almost identical to a real Steam Machine; only from above can you tell it’s actually a pull-out tissue box.
I turned a Steam Machine into a tissue box.
byu/itsBoyso insteammachine
He mentioned in the article, with self-deprecation, that he had always really liked the look and design of the Steam Machine, but financially he just couldn’t convince himself to buy one as a treat for himself. At least now I can pretend to be one of you.
itsBoyso said he didn’t just make it “look similar” — he emphasized that this is a 1:1 scale replica. Worth noting, Valve had previously released the Steam Machine’s enclosure CAD files, providing a STEP-format file named steam_machine_3d.stp on their official GitLab, allowing players to fabricate the front panel and various peripherals according to the official exterior dimensions. So this may be the key to achieving a perfect 1:1 replica.
Image source: MackerWorld
For the structure, the tissue box is inserted from the rear panel, so the front view has no gaps at all, maintaining the clean look of the original machine. However, since the dimensions are exactly the same as the Steam Machine, it’s better suited for “smaller-sized” tissue boxes. So for those interested, before printing, it’s recommended to grab a ruler and measure the tissue box you have at home to see if it fits. Otherwise, if it doesn’t fit after printing, you’ll have wasted a few hours for nothing.
The most thoughtful part of this project is, unsurprisingly, that it also replicates the magnetic swappable faceplate mechanism from the Steam Machine. The frame has reserved positions for four 6×3mm magnets, and once the magnets are installed, the author says it should be compatible with the replaceable front panels used on actual Steam Machine hardware.
Image source: MackerWorld
The funniest part is that he even made both the 512GB and 2TB versions. MakerWorld The page provides two configuration profiles, “512 GB” and “2 TB”, corresponding to the two capacity options of the actual Steam Machine. Of course, the contents of these two are exactly the same; it’s purely a tribute.
Image source: MackerWorld
For printing, the default settings are intended for a 0.4mm nozzle with a smooth build plate. The author originally also provided profiles for textured build plates with the model oriented to print on its side, but some users reported unsatisfactory results. The author has therefore stated that these profiles will be temporarily disabled while the printing method is redesigned.
Obtain the 3D print files for Steam Machine
Source: KOCPC Chinese