Nate’s Computer: 3D-print kit
An Apple II style desk computer with a mini PC inside, a printed keyboard case, a mouse shell and speakers. There are two versions, each cut for a specific printer.
AOSEED X-MAKER JOY
Build volume 120 × 120 × 120 mm · every part ≤ 114 × 114 × 118 mm
Download STL kit (47 files, 4.4 MB zip)
Bambu Lab H2D Pro
Build volume 350 × 320 × 325 mm · every part ≤ 300 × 300 × 300 mm
Download STL kit (18 files, 3.2 MB zip)Finished size
| Piece | Width × depth × height |
|---|---|
| Computer (base with built-in keyboard, plus the monitor on top) | 270 × 300 × 245 mm (10.6 × 11.8 × 9.6 in) |
| Monitor alone | 205 × 150 × 165 mm (8.1 × 5.9 × 6.5 in), 8" screen |
| Keyboard | Built into the front of the base: 48 keys, 244 × 92 mm |
| Mouse | 58 × 96 × 30 mm (2.3 × 3.8 × 1.2 in) |
3D printing: what each printer needs
Print the five small FIT_ test pieces first, in the plastic you'll use for the rest.
| AOSEED X-MAKER JOY | Bambu Lab H2D Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Build volume | 120 × 120 × 120 mm | 350 × 320 × 325 mm (kit uses ≤ 300 × 300 × 300) |
| Largest part | 102.5 × 82.5 × 68 mm (monitor shell tiles) | 270 × 150 × 68 mm (base halves) |
| Print files | 42 parts (46 prints with repeats) + 5 test pieces | 13 parts (17 prints with repeats) + 5 test pieces |
| Filament | Any filament that doesn't need an enclosure: PLA, matte PLA, PETG, clear PLA/PETG | Any common filament, including ABS, ASA and PC |
| Filament to buy | About 2 kg (about 4 kg for clear). Settings for each type are in the filament guide. | |
| Supports | Under the monitor bosses and speaker pod rings; vent and side-window tops if flagged | Same |
| Brim | 5 mm on the 90 × 75 mm base tiles | 5 mm on the two base halves |
| Joining | Glue + 123 pins | Glue + 30 pins (one joint) |
| Alignment pins | Short pieces of 1.75 mm filament (any type), 11–12 mm long; about 2 m covers both kits | |
| Calibrate first | Hole sizes with FIT_holes…. ABS, ASA or PC: shrinkage too (filament guide, step 3). | |
| Print time | Over 100 hours (check the slicer) | Far less; check the slicer |
Electronics to buy
The same for both versions. About $500–700 in total, most of it the computer.
| Qty | Part | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ryzen mini PC (see the list below) | Sits inside the base; its power brick and network lead go out through the rear cable notch |
| 1 | Waveshare 8" HDMI LCD (H), 1280 × 800, capacitive touch | The monitor screen. Powered and touch over USB |
| 1 | Short HDMI cable (about 0.3 m) | PC to screen, up through the monitor stand |
| 1 | OLKB Planck hot-swap PCB (rev 6.1 or rev 7), grid layout | Keyboard circuit board. Alternative: KPRepublic BM40 hot-swap (needs a 2u plate cutout, not drawn yet) |
| 48 | MX-style switches | Any 3- or 5-pin MX switch |
| 48 | 1u keycaps for an ortholinear board | All 1u, any colour |
| 1 | Short USB-C cable | Keyboard to PC |
| 2 | Adafruit #3968 speaker, 40 mm, 4 Ω, 3 W | One in each side of the monitor |
| 1 | Sabrent AU-MMSA USB sound card (or similar) | Gives the speakers their own sound output |
| 1 | Adafruit #987 stereo amplifier (MAX98306) | Runs on 5 V from a USB port |
| 1 | 3.5 mm stereo plug to bare wires, plus about 1 m of thin speaker wire | Sound card → amplifier → speakers |
| 1 | 40 × 40 × 10 mm 5 V USB fan | Exhaust at the back of the base |
| 1 | Small USB 2.0 hub | Keyboard, touch and fan only. Screen power and the amplifier each get their own PC port |
| 1 | Cheap small wireless mouse | Donor: its board, sensor and switches go into the printed mouse shell |
| — | Screws, rubber feet, 3 mm bumpons, silicone pads | Exact counts on each kit's shopping list page |
Compatible Ryzen mini PCs
The PC stands on the desk inside the base. It must be at most about 131 mm wide × 134 mm deep × 52 mm tall. The KAMRUI is the one the side window is drawn around; the others fit inside and their power button shows through the same window, partly framed.
| Mini PC | CPU | Size (mm) | Fits? |
|---|---|---|---|
| KAMRUI P1 (designed for) | Ryzen 3 4300U / Ryzen 5 class | 128.2 × 128.2 × 51 | Yes, exact fit |
| GMKtec NucBox M5 Plus | Ryzen 7 5825U | 128.8 × 127 × 47.8 | Yes |
| Beelink SER5 | Ryzen 5 5500U / 5560U | 126 × 113 × 42 | Yes, with room to spare |
| Minisforum UM760 Slim | Ryzen 5 7640HS | 130 × 126.5 × 50.4 | Yes, tight (about 1 mm spare) |
| ACEMAGIC AM06 Pro | Ryzen 7 5700U / 5800U | 132 × 132 × 50 | No, too wide |
| Beelink SER8 | Ryzen 7 8845HS | 135 × 135 × 44.7 | No, too wide |
Sizes are from the makers' and retailers' listings. Measure the box you receive before printing the base.
Before printing the big parts: print the small
FIT_ test pieces in the plastic you'll use, and check them against the real keyboard board, screen, speakers and screws. This is a prototype that hasn't been printed yet. Each kit's “Read me first” page has the order and the print settings.