Modders create Steam Machine faceplate that charges the Steam Controller with its own magnetic puck

Q: Does the faceplate require any permanent modification to the Steam Machine or controller to install the magnetic puck?

The faceplate has a cutout that holds the magnetic charging puck in place by friction and the Steam Controller fits into a molded shell that aligns it with the charger. The article does not state any permanent modification to the Steam Machine or controller is required and describes routing the charger cord behind the faceplate with an L-shaped Type-C adapter.

Q: Is the faceplate design compatible with using the Steam Machine faceplate as a standalone controller stand?

Yes. The faceplate is designed to work with a stand, turning the faceplate into a DIY prop or standalone stand for the Steam Controller. It molds the controller into the front, aligns it with the magnetic charging puck (held by friction and the puck magnets), and routes the charger cable neatly behind using an L-shaped Type-C adapter.

Q: Did the modder use Valve’s official CAD files or measurements when creating the faceplate to fit the Steam Controller?

The primary article does not say whether the modder used Valve’s official CAD files or measurements when creating the faceplate. The article does note that Valve has released CAD files for the Steam Controller and puck (see Related 1: Valve releases Steam Controller and Puck CAD files for modders).

Modder creates custom faceplate for the Steam Machine that holds and charges the Steam Controller on the front of the console, with the controller's puck.

Aaron Klotz

Tech Reporter

Published Aug 6, 2026 9:55 AM CDT

1 minute & 15 seconds read time

TL;DR: A modder made a 3D-printed Steam Machine faceplate molded to the Steam Controller's back, letting the controller dock and charge on the front using its magnetic puck held by friction, with a hidden Type-C cable and optional stand compatibility. Valve provides CAD files and encourages such mods.

Voice: DefaultSpeed

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Modders have been going to town creating custom 3D-printed faceplates for the Steam Machine since the console's debut. But this latest faceplate mod, shared by NefariousnessWhole25 on the r/steammachine subreddit, is arguably one of the best mods for the Steam Machine that integrates the Steam Controller's magnetic puck onto the front of the console.

The faceplate for this mod features the back of the Steam Controller's clamshell molded into it, enabling the controller to fit perfectly into the faceplate, aligning it with its magnetic charger. The faceplate features a cutout for the magnetic charging puck to fit inside that the Redditor says is held in by nothing more than friction. Earlier revisions reportedly used a shelf underneath the controller to help prop it up, but the redditor states that the charging puck's magnets proved to be powerful enough to keep the controller elevated inside its shell.

The cord for the charger is routed neatly behind the faceplate using an L-shaped Type-C adapter to hide the cable from the front. If docking the Steam Controller to the front of the Steam Machine is not enough, the faceplate is also designed to work with a stand, turning the faceplate into a DIY prop for the Steam Controller.

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Question #1

Does the faceplate require any permanent modification to the Steam Machine or controller to install the magnetic puck?

Question #2

Is the faceplate design compatible with using the Steam Machine faceplate as a standalone controller stand?

Question #3

Did the modder use Valve’s official CAD files or measurements when creating the faceplate to fit the Steam Controller?

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Valve has been highly supportive of the modding community and actively encourages its users to make 3D-printed mods for the Steam Machine, Steam Controller and even the Steam Deck. Valve has released CAD files of all three devices, giving modders guidelines on how to make their mods fit with the dimensions of the Steam Machine, Steam Controller, or Steam Deck.