MiSTER Pi FPGA Tube-style Case

Required Hardware

• 4x  M4x8mm socket head bolts (front panel)
• 4x  M4 nuts (front panel)
• 6x  M3x8mm socket head bolts (rear panel)
• 6x  M3 nuts (rear panel)
• 4x  M3x12mm socket head bolts (for mounting the MiSTER Pi stack)

Optional Parts

• Front USB port extension. Can be used for SNAC or regular USB. (https://a.co/d/aXWLe2E) Updated the USBbracket model 12/23/24 for this USB 3.0 extension
• 2x  M3x8 socket head bolts

• Rear network port coupler (https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=7285)
• SlimRun low profile network patch cable (https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=34230)

• Front panel buttons (I connected these to Reset and OSD for easy bluetooth pairing)
• 2x  6x6x9mm tactile buttons (https://a.co/d/9jEUwvO)
• 1x  5-pin 2.54mm JST XH Connector (connects to the IO board header labeled ‘P3’)
  • Pin1: ground | Pin3: reset | Pin4: OSD | Pin5: user (https://github.com/MiSTer-devel/Hardware_MiSTer/blob/master/releases/iobrd_dig_1.2.pdf)
• Mount the tactile buttons to the front panel with either the custom PCB located in the ‘Files’ section (can be ordered from PCBway or similar), perfboard, or glue them in place.

• 60mm fan (https://noctua.at/en/nf-a6x25-pwm)
• 4x  M3x8mm socket head bolts
• You will need to change the fan connecter to 2-pin 2.54mm JST-XH
  • I modified my fan cable, but this adapter should work (https://a.co/d/cbjKnFu)
• The fan is audible, even if you set your MiSTer IO board to 3.3v.  If you want a more silent setup, I recommend sticking with the stock fan.  The 60mm fan is very much overkill, but was fun to incorporate it into the design. :)

Printing

• Print all parts at 0.15 layer height
• 20% infill
• All parts printed in their original orientation
• Supports may be needed for MiSTer_FrontPanel
• You may want to pause your MiSTer_MainBody print at layer 31 to insert the M3 nuts. This will eliminate the risk of having stray overhang material if you were to insert them after the print is complete. 

Assembly

• Insert the 4x M4 nuts in the backside of the 4 brackets at the front/top of the Main Body.
• Use an M4 bolt to ‘pull’ the nuts into their cutouts.  They should stay in place and not fall out on their own (See photo).
• If adding optional components to the Front Panel:
  • Front USB Port
  • Place the USB extension in the USB-sized cutout on the Front Panel.
  • Use the MiSTer_USBbracket and 2x M3x8 bolts to secure it.
  •  
  • 60mm Fan
  • Align the fan mounting holes with the holes around the hex grill.
  • Use 4x M3x8 bolts to secure it.
• Do not mount the Front Panel yet.  It will be easier to install the MiSTER triple stack without the front in place.

• Remove the bottom standoffs from your MiSTER triple stack.
• Remove the USB hub board.
• **If you want your WiFi/BT adapter to be installed internally, plug it into a side port on the USB hub now.  The one that comes with the MiSTER PI Mega Pack will just fit.**
• Slide the USB hub board into the Main Body of the case, aligning it with the screw holes.
• Partially insert the 4x M3x12 bolts into the the holes on the bottom of the Main Body to stop the USB hub board from moving around.
• Add the rest of your MiSTER stack to the top of the USB hub, CAREFULLY aligning the 4-pin usb header.
• Finish threading the 4x M3-12 screws into the triple stack to secure it.
• Double-check that all ports on the side of the Main Body are aligned.

• Before joining the Front Panel and Main Body, feed any cables from the front panel parts into the body and connect them to the MiSTer.
• Once everything is connected, use the 4x M4x8 bolts to secure the Front Panel to the Main Body.
• If you plan to use the rear network port, insert the network coupler into the Rear Panel and connect the ethernet cable.
• Use the 6x M3x8 bolts to secure the Rear Panel to the Main Body.

And you're done!

I added 4 small rubber pads to the bottom of my case to keep it from sliding around, which works great.